Lou Calen is an exceptional hotel located in the heart of the village of Cotignac, in the Var department of Provence. It is a hidden gem set in lush green grounds, offering 36 rooms, three outdoor swimming pools (including one for adults only), and a restaurant awarded a Green Star by the Michelin Guide, a craft brewery, an art center, and a pastis bar.
Promo code
Enter the promo code LETSGOMYLOVE when booking on Lou Calen’s official website and enjoy an exclusive romantic package: 5% off your stay, late check-out at 1:00 p.m., a bottle of Mirabeau sparkling rosé, and a free room upgrade, subject to availability. Check out this image to see where to enter the promo code.
Important: The promo code is valid year-round, except between July 10 and August 25.
Between July 10 and August 25, simply mention Let's Go My Love during booking to benefit from all the above advantages, except the discount. Always fun!
Our stay at the hotel
We had the opportunity to stay here and meet most of the team, including Aurore (with whom we keep in regular contact), Graham (the visionary owner), and of course Huguette, whom you can learn more about below. If Graham is the brains behind the hotel, Huguette is undoubtedly its heart. Lou Calen is a wonderful place that is truly worth discovering.
Huguette Caren, a local resident, purchased Lou Calen in 1971. With no formal training in the hotel industry, she quickly transformed the old building into a 16-room hotel and restaurant. In 1972, Yvonne de Gaulle, wife of Charles de Gaulle, stayed at the hotel and helped to make it famous. We found this old newspaper article from the time.
From By the late 1970s, the fame of Lou Calen (which means “oil lamp” in Provençal) had spread far beyond France’s borders. The establishment welcomed a cosmopolitan clientele, including many artists who came to record their albums at the studios at Château Miraval , located just a few minutes away: AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Sting, The Cranberries or even The Cure.
The hotel closed its doors in 1999. Huguette then turned her attention to fabric painting and writing. Quinze later, the legendary hotel rose from the ashes like a phoenix, in the form of an ambitious eco-friendly project focused on people, nature, and romance. By the way, do you know who has owned Château Miraval since 2011? Brad Pitt!
The 36 rooms and suites
Lou Calen has 36 rooms, suites, and independent cottages, each one unique. On this 3-hectare estate, the accommodations are divided between the historic hotel bordering the village's main square and Hameau Mico, a vast wooded and green space. Here is a map of the estate to help you find your way around. There are two different entrances and two private parking lots.
Some of our favorite rooms and suites:
1 • The Joe Dassin Room • Floor Plan • Photo
2 • The Trompine Duplex Suite • Floor Plan • Photo
3 • The Bastidon • Floor Plan • Photo
4 • The Troglodyte • Floor Plan • Photo
5 • The Pigeonnier • Floor Plan • Photo
We love the authentic Bastidon with its old stone walls and private terrace, the very romantic Troglodyte room, and finally, the spectacular Pigeonnier with its unique view of the Cotignac rock.
Did you know that some of Lou Calen's antique furniture was found in neighboring villages, sometimes directly by former Cotignac residents? Some pieces tell their own story: a restored dressing table dating from 1905, an armchair donated by a passionate antique dealer, or a mirror that belonged to an old village school. Every detail contributes to the unique soul of the place.
Life in the hotel
Every morning, a delicious breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. On the menu: pastries, bread from the village bakery, fried, boiled, or scrambled eggs, cold cuts, fresh and dried fruit, cereal, fruit juice, hot drinks, and more.
If you are following a special diet, please let the team know in advance and they will be happy to accommodate your needs. Weather permitting, you can enjoy your breakfast on the small terrace with a beautiful view of Cotignac. Pure pleasure.
For lunch or dinner, you can choose between two delicious restaurants. First, at Au Jardin Secret, chef Benoit Witz prepares colorful Provençal cuisine. The restaurant has been awarded a Green Star in the Michelin Guide. Every day, a unique three- or four-course menu celebrates the most authentic aspects of Provence.
Le Bistrot, meanwhile, welcomes you under a large, air-conditioned glass roof that opens onto a beautiful shaded terrace. Try, for example, the braised beef with polenta, or the scallops with leek fondue. Meat takes center stage here and is brought to perfection by flame-grilling.
Fancy a drink? Discover O'Fadoli, a pastis bar offering more than 80 different types of pastis (some alcohol-free) and absinthes from all over France. We sampled several pastis (we recommend the Spigol) and got chatting to the waiter. Here, pastis is served either "yaourt" (yogurt) or "piscine" (pool) style. The first: a little water, intense flavor, concentrated like an espresso. The second: lots of water, ice cubes, perfect for long afternoons in the sun.
The estate has three exceptional swimming pools to suit everyone's needs. The first, our favorite, is reserved for adults. It's the ideal place to sunbathe and enjoy the peaceful bubble jacuzzi. The other two are perfect for families, with a shallow children's pool next to the adult pool.
Lou Calen organizes numerous activities and workshops throughout the year, including creative workshops, botanical walks, wild basketry, lavender harvesting, clay modeling and wood carving. We love the idea.
A typical Provençal village
Lou Calen is located in one of the most beautiful villages in France:Cotignac! When you arrive, it's easy to see why. It's simply delightful, and you'll want to spend the whole summer there enjoying the pleasures of life. The village nestles at the foot of a huge volcanic tuff cliff riddled with secret caves and topped by two 12th-century Saracen towers. We love the colorful facades, fountains, and venerable plane trees.
Not far away, don't miss the Notre-Dame de Grâces sanctuary in Cotignac, perched on a hillside facing a breathtaking panorama. This XVIᵉ century chapel, a major pilgrimage site, is bathed in a peaceful, almost mystical atmosphere. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and typical restanques, it invites meditation and contemplation. Access is via a lovely winding road, and the view from the terrace is one of the finest in the village.
You're just 45 minutes from the Gorges du Verdon and 1 hour from Aix-en-Provence. A little further south, the Côte d'Azur and its superb beaches are literally waiting for you!
Paid parking is available on site for €10 per day.
This blog brings together more than 350 romantic and unique destinations in a one-of-a-kind collection. These might include a hidden hotel or a cabin by a lake, for example. Add Let's Go My Love to your Google bookmarks or follow us on Instagram if you enjoy this content. We're so happy to have you here — From Pauline and Sébastien.
Enter promo code LETSGOMYLOVE when booking on Lou Calen 's official website and benefit from an exclusive romantic package: -5% discount on your stay, late check-out at 1pm, bottle of Mirabeau sparkling rosé and free upgrade subject to availability. The promo code works all year round, except between July 10 and August 25. Look at this image to see where to enter the promo code.
Lou Calen is home to 36 rooms, divided between the historic hotel on the village square and the Hameau Mico, a large, leafy estate planted with trees.
Yes, some rooms have a bathroom with bathtub.
Yes, almost all rooms and suites have a private terrace.
Yes, all rooms are air-conditioned.
Yes, Lou Calen offers 3 large outdoor pools, one of which is entirely reserved for adults.
Yes, there is paid parking on site for €10 per day.
Yes, small dogs are accepted at Lou Calen in certain rooms.
Arrival is from 4pm and departure until 12am.
