Holiday home U Mulinu Casa­nelli

As if some­thing new were emerging from the old, jagged stone walls, the unusual archi­tecture stands out against the green hills. This holiday home for six people lies off the beaten track and away from well-known places, sur­rounded by maquis and com­plete tran­quillity. The location offers a fan­tastic view of the Gulf of Valinco, as well as almond groves and vineyards. The former wine press in the hin­terland of Pro­priano Bay, just five minutes from the fine sandy beaches of Corsica’s south-west coast, is still known to locals as Le Moulin.

The current owner, Angé­lique Casanova, has a long history with the ruin – until she and her husband Fré­déric bought it a few years ago and brought it back to life them­selves. As the dila­pi­dated building, made of sal­vaged stones and bricks, could not be rebuilt using the same mate­rials, they opted for an inter­vention that was as radical as it was respectful: To pre­serve the old stone walls as a tes­tament to the past, a cube of exposed con­crete and timber was inte­grated into the ruin as a sta­bi­lising element and a modern coun­ter­point. The result is an almost sculp­tural archi­tecture, like an embrace that com­bines the island’s rugged authen­ticity with con­tem­porary comfort.

The three-storey ter­raced layout follows the natural topo­graphy. Each level opens out onto the land­scape: the lower terrace with its pool faces the Gulf of Valinco, whilst the upper platform offers views of the mountain sil­houette and the maquis. The façade facing the sea breaks away from the his­toric wall line – marked by a round, con­tem­porary window on the third floor.

Inside, open-plan layouts and con­trasts dominate. The three bed­rooms – each with its own bathroom – are designed as private retreats. Two rooms on the first floor and one on the second are acces­sible only via external stair­cases, empha­sising their spatial sepa­ration from the com­munal area. The living areas on the ground floor are inter­con­nected and open to the out­doors.

Out­doors, guests will find not only various ter­races, but also a pool with sea views and a hot tub, as well as a fitness area, a boules court and a table tennis table. Not to mention the private vege­table garden and the neigh­bouring sheep and cows, which com­plete the rural idyll. A secluded yet deeply rooted place that does not pre­serve its history, but passes it on.

What to do

Hiking, swimming at the nearby beaches, a range of water sports, swimming in the pool, boules and table tennis in the garden, an on-site gym, excursions to the Corsican vineyards, to picturesque villages (e.g. Campomoro or Sartène) or to prehistoric sites (e.g. the Neolithic archaeological site of Filitosa), culinary discoveries ranging from authentic local cuisine to exquisite gourmet restaurants, personalised service on request (whether boat hire, top chefs, wellness massages, cultural highlights or exclusive activities)

Why we like this house

A house with a strong identity and distinctive character

This house is great for

Families and groups of friends of up to six people looking for an idyllic retreat not far from the beaches and local attractions; an internal goods lift ensures accessibility

Sustainability

A vegetable garden and a chicken coop, an electric charging point at the house, no public transport: you need a car

Owner

Ever since she was a child, Angélique Casanova had admired the iconic wine press at the foot of the hill. When it suddenly came up for sale a few years ago, she and her husband Frédéric decided to restore the dilapidated building according to their own vision and breathe new life into it. Although not an architect, Angélique drew up the plans herself and created a tribute to Corsican identity.

Details

Availability calendar

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