Workshop
Here in Cotignac, local figures are keen to share their love of Provence with you. Lou Calen opens the doors to a sensory journey where nature and tradition intertwine at every turn. As the seasons go by, carefully orchestrated workshops and events bring together artists, craftspeople, well-being specialists and history buffs. With them, you’ll experience moments of sharing and escape, where traditional gestures and forgotten skills are revealed to make every stay an unforgettable Provençal immersion.
Upcoming workshops & events
Saturday 5 April
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 12 April
A collector of old works, Guillaume Ferroni breathes new life to forgotten liqueur recipes. Founder of the Maison Ferroni, Guillaume invites you to discover, through various tastings, his collection of Marseille rhums - one of the oldest emblems of Marseille, before the arrival of pastis!
Sunday 13 April
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 19 April
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 26 April
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 27 April
Guided by Mathieu Segret, you will painstakingly sculpt a vase, scrape by scrape, using a kiridashi, a traditional Japanese knife. You will learn different sculpting gestures and leave with your wood creation as well as with the tools needed to carve wood at home should you wish to.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 3 May
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 17 May
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 18 May
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 31 May
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 7 June
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 15 June
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 21 June
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 28 June
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 5 July
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 19 July
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 20 July
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 26 July
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 9 August
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 17 August
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 23 August
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 30 August
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 6 September
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 13 September
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 21 September
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 27 September
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 4 October
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 18 October
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Past workshops & events
Sunday 23 March
Mathieu Segret invites you to practice mindfulness. You will use wood carving as a means of relaxation and liberation. Each gesture, each sculpted form will nourish your relationship with yourself and nature. Your work will bear the imprint of this inner journey.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 22 March
Dive into this experience alongside the ancestral know-how of Lolita, founder of the Sentema Distillery. She will explore the many secrets of making natural liqueurs based on organic eaux-de-vie from Provence, and then lead a tasting that will awaken all your thirst-quenching senses.
Sunday 2 March
This cooking class will take place after a truffle hunting demonstration with specially-trained truffle dogs. Meet at 2pm at the Canut family’s farm in Aups (with your own vehicle), before meeting chef Benoit Witz at 4pm in the kitchen of the Jardin Secret restaurant.
Location:
Schedule :
2 pm to 6 pm
Price:
235€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 23 February
A traditional dish enjoyed across many cultures, a good pie combines deliciousness and decent know-how. Under the guidance of Chef Benoit Witz, learn how to work the dough, concoct tasty fillings and master the art of a crispy pastry with tender insides.
Location:
Schedule :
4 pm to 6 pm
Price:
120€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 16 February
Ideal for accompanying meats or as the star of any vegetarian dish, root vegetables lend themselves to many creative interpretations. Discover how to combine them harmoniously, and explore slow cooking that reveals the best of their texture and depth.
Location:
Schedule :
4 pm to 6 pm
Price:
120€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 28 December
With her rich experience in the field of art, Sophie Anais Sanderson guides her students to develop their artistic flair through the craft of drawing. During her workshop, she will teach the basics of drawing as well as a study into how to create volume by using different forms of collage.
From 1 Dec. To 28 Feb.
The Canut family has been growing black truffles on their farm in Aups. Every winter Patrick and his daughter Lisa wander through their oak plantation, guided by their dogs, to harvest the truffle. Take part in the art of truffle hunting, before treating yourself to tasting your finds!
Location:
Aups
Availability :
Saturday to Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Price:
35€/adulte, 20€/enfant, gratuit/-12ans
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
From 15 Oct. To 6 Nov.
Nestled in the midst of the restanques a unique spice grows naturally. In our region, flowering begins in October and lasts for a month while the harvest reaps rich rewards. Sabine and Jean will guide you to ensure you fully understand the culture and nature of organic saffron growing.
Saturday 14 September
Ceramics artist in Cotignac, Inès Ciccone practices throwing pottery with the aim of giving life to stoneware pieces, always drawing her inspiration from natural plants and minerals. During her workshop, Inès will share three modelling techniques to make a cup, a plate or a bowl.
Saturday 7 September
Solange Battarra’s true creative self is anchored in the Upcycling movement. A local artist and a specialist in the creation of objects made from paper pulp, she will teach an artisanal moulding technique by crafting a unique decorative object to set on a piece of furniture or to hang on the wall.
Saturday 24 August
Come and learn about the Provençal tradition of lavender spindle-crafting, a charming craft that encloses the lavender flowers inside their stems to preserve their wonderful scent. Discover how to gather them, how to sort them, and how to weave it all together with a beautiful ribbon.
Wednesday 31 July
Did you know that you can make ink from tinctorial plants? Anna Piquardt is here to show you how. Come and learn how to transform well-known plants into watercolour paints, and then decorate your very own postcard with them. A wonderfully creative gift for a loved one!
Wednesday 26 June
A special opportunity to free your mind and express yourself in writing. French literature teacher, Jéromine Dalmasso, will guide you towards this creative escape with two thematic ideas: “Describe a place using sensory language” and “Write a description while observing a photograph”.
