Welcome to Solacargese, a typical house in the most Greek of Corsica's villages. This veritable gem is ideally located in the west of the Isle of Beauty, on its most spectacular wild coast, just 50km from Ajaccio airport and port. On the heights of Cargèse, the village with two faces founded during a historic clash between Greek exiles and Corsicans in the 17th century, our emblematic house was built in 1890 by our ancestor, the community's first mayor and doctor; it has a breathtaking view over the Mediterranean, from the immense Gulf of Sagone to the Sanguinaires Islands.
From the terrace of your private flat, let the magic of the panorama do its work: the sea glistens above our multicoloured garden lush with all the fragrances of the Mediterranean - laurel, hibiscus, plumbago, bougainvillea, wisteria, lavender, immortelle, star jasmine, citrus fruit and hundred-year-old olive trees, with enchanting birds chirping overhead, watched over by the majestic kites, kings of the sky. In the evening, the night gallant reveals its suavity. As night falls, dream under the stars as the moon rises and shines over the bay and as the the opposite bay sparkles with remote villages . These are the sensory horizons of our haven and its privileged location between the lush green scrubland and the shimmering sea.
In this paradisiac scenery, Solacargese is exceptionally close to the region's cultural and natural heritage. On the first floor, you'll find 2 flats whose character and personality were preserved by the generations while being updated with everything expected by today's travelers. The flats will appeal to sports enthusiasts in search of adventure or relaxation, to history buffs, as well as to lovers of inner journeys and mindscape explorers wishing to step out of time under the protection of the peaceful soul and big heart of the house.
Over the generations, our family has been keen to modernize the house while preserving its personality. Our ancestor who built it is a direct descendant of the Greeks who founded the village. We also like to take care of our minds and bodies: Mathilde is a horse rider and swimmer, Sonia a swimmer and practises yin yoga (restorative yoga), in which she offers classes (optional); this doesn't stop us from being gourmets. We're also avid readers and a varied bilingual library (French-English) is available to our guests. We live on the ground floor and are quiet and discreet; we want you to feel at home first and foremost, but will be happy to provide you with any advice and information you may need.
All the shops are within walking distance of Solacargese, as are almost all the places emblematic of the village's rich history. The Greek church overlooks the harbour. Under the nave or in its small shady square, you won't know where to turn. The Latin church, whose charming bell tower is entirely visible from your terrace, stands opposite the Greek one, and also offers you a sumptuous place of meditation and a view of the port and the sea.
Cargèse is overlooked by the hamlet of Paomia, its birthplace, 15 minutes away by car (accessible on foot or by bike for the most sporty travelers). The climb to Paomia takes you up to bird's-eye level, taking in a succession of panoramas, each more beautiful than the last.
The Puntiglione (in English, the lion's headland) path starts just a few steps from the house, then branches off northwards to the Peru beach, southwards to the harbor, or westward to the tip of the rocky headland of Cargèse. Ideal for short walks as well as for trailing at all levels (easy, technical, flat, uneven, earthy, rocky) in the early hours of the morning or in the evening, this is a jewel of infinite variety.
The walk to Umigna, Cargèse's Genoese tower, is just as splendid and breathtaking on days when the sea is roaring...
The Scandola natural reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is accessible by boat from the port of Cargèse via tourist shipping companies. The Gulf of Girolata is one of Scandola's jewels, accessible only by boat (by the same companies). It's a waking dream... The Calanques of Piana and the sublime Gulf of Porto are other gems accessible by car (or bus, with regular departures), only 15-20 minutes's drive from Cargèse!
To help you recover from these emotions: among other places, the village pizzeria (Maremmiese), the crêperie L'Ortu (close to the 2 churches) and the paillotes du Peru (1768, Piagha, Lustincone) etc.
Languages spoken: English,Spanish,French