Lou Calen

Rooms

The 36 rooms and suites are spread across the three-hectare estate and are split into two areas: the main hotel and the mico zone (mico is short for micocoulier, a tree that grows in abundance in the gardens); the restaurant separates the two.

Those in the mico zone are a little more secluded, but wherever you stay, you'll be among beautiful surroundings, and you can expect garden views and a private terrace with most rooms. The beautiful styling incorporates wood and stone, and the vibe is classic Provencal chic. Bathrooms are sleek with feature tiling, some rooms even feature Japanese toilets and steam showers. There are no TVs in the rooms, but there are in-room tablets and radios that connect to bluetooth.

At the upper end of the scale, the Trompine Suites have a luxury self-catering vibe: some have kitchens and cosy living areas with sofabeds – great for small families or larger groups. We stayed in one of these (without a kitchen) and loved how restorative the spaces were. For maximum wow factor, book the Signature Suite (mico zone), set in an impressive tower-like structure and spread over three floors. They had us at 'cliff views' and 'hammam shower'.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

A continental breakfast is served on the shaded terrace or cosy communal living room. Produce is plucked from the garden or purchased from local markets, so expect the freshest ingredients on your plate – we feasted on cheeses, croissants and fruits, as well as homemade kiwi jam, every morning.

Stroll across the grounds to the hotel restaurant, Jardin Secret. You'll find it nestled in the hills, surrounded by picture-postcard olive grove views. It's housed in one of the estate’s original 200-year-old buildings. Meals here are a fine-dining affair (they've rightly won a Green Michelin Star), but the energy is very laidback. The menu is set, with dishes changing daily - let them know in advance if you have dietary requirements. In a cosy private room with a fireplace and a wall of vinyl, we ate homemade gnocchi with greens from the garden, grilled monkfish with potatoes, and Provencal mushrooms, and a light Mille Feuille with vanilla for dessert. Meals are served Friday to Tuesday (excluding Sunday evening). Luckily the lovely Lou Calen Bistro, a relaxed eatery with a beautiful patio garden, is open every day for lunch and dinner.

There are other excellent food options in the village and surrounds (we enjoyed dinner at Le Clos des Vignes). Picotte comes especially recommended. Back at Lou Calen, you've a choice of bars depending on your preferred nightcap: La Tuf Brewpub for beers brewed onsite, or O'Fadoli Pastis Bar for an excellent array of the traditional French spirit.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Spend days swimming in the tranquil, tree-lined pools or snoozing on a sun lounger
  
• This is the perfect spot for unwinding. Make the most of the space and play tennis, or join a yoga class
  
• Ask if there are any workshops and retreats during your stay – such as truffle hunting, watercolour painting or cooking classes with Hugette, the former owner of Lou Calen (we sampled her food, and wow!)
  
• Visit the friendly on-site microbrewery, La TUF, and sample unique, seasonal beers. Or take part in a brewing workshop. Games nights take place here too, as do live music gigs
  
• Potter the streets of Cotignac, where there is art to see, shops to explore and cafes to people-watch from. The hotel can arrange a tour with an English-speaking guide, so you can really get under the skin of the village. Don’t miss the weekly market on a Tuesday
  
• Swim in the aquamarine waters of Lac de Sainte Croix (45 mins) before taking a kayak or canoe through the dramatic Verdon Gorge
  
• Discover the fascinating Troglodyte caves of Villecroze, which date back to the Middle Ages (19km/25 mins)
  
• Rent an electric bike and explore the countryside
  
• Travel a little further to the teeny village of Sillans la Cascade (10 mins). A fairly short (sometimes slippy) hike takes you to an incredible, clear-blue, 40m-high waterfall. Note that sadly you can't swim in the waterfall pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Hot tub
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Wine tasting
• Yoga

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome here and there's a dedicated pool for families plus a lagoon like splash pool for smaller ones. There’s lots of outdoor space to spread out and explore in. Younger ones will love the garden treasure hunts. You can even arrange a fun in-room tipi for an extra fee. The restaurant offers a children’s menu and high chairs.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Cassole rooms, with their private terraces and garden views, can interconnect. The Sarrasine Suites come with a mezzanine offering a little second bed. Bigger families should opt for a Family Suite, which sleeps up to 6 in two double bedrooms and a bunk room, plus it has a kitchen and lots of space to relax. The Trompine and Signature Suites also have a living area and kitchenette and sleep up to 4 guests.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1hr15m
• Hospital: 30 minutes
• Shops: 2 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Lou Calen is a three-hectare country estate in Cotignac, a pretty village in central Provence.

By Air:
Fly into Nice or Marseille (70-80 mins/100km).

By Train:
Alight at Aix en Provence or Marseille.

From the Airport:
The easiest option is to drive. Car rentals are available from both airports; check out our car rental recommendations. It is about 1hr15m drive from Nice or Marseille airports, and a 1hr drive from Aix en Provence or Marseille railway stations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.