MISÍNCU

An authentic Corsican experience

Nestled amid breathtaking scenery, the Misíncu hotel complex is set in the heart of Cap Corse - an area steeped in history, with ancient villas and nineteenth-century palaces overlooking a rugged coastline dotted with fishing villages. An edenic hideaway in the unspoilt Corsican wilderness, Misíncu is the ideal place to soak up the Isle of Beauty’s peaceful atmosphere and admire its panoramic views.

By Marine Pasquier

A legendary jet-set hang-out

Misíncu is a hidden gem, tucked away behind myrtle- and citron-covered slopes in the typical Corsican village of Cagnano, about 20 kilometres from Bastia. Fifty years ago, its former incarnation, the hotel Le Caribou, was a Mecca for celebrities, famed for its party atmosphere. Many a star summered here, but for figures from the world of showbusiness like Alain Delon, Romy Schneider and Serge Gainsbourg (to name but a few), Le Caribou was first and foremost a retreat. Today’s five-star hotel complex has been designed to blend in with the coastal scenery and reflect local cultures. It is run to strict environmental standards and the estate includes permaculture gardens.

Reminders of far-off places

The main building houses 29 bedrooms and suites, tastefully fitted out by local craftsmen in a style influenced by American colonial. The floor of the hotel foyer is white Sardinian marble, as are the arches recalling Corsica’s Genoese past. Exotic touches such as traveller’s tree trunks and palm-trees lend character and conjure up times past when voyagers set off from Cap Corse on expeditions to faroff places. Private villas deep in the maquis

The chalets of the 1950s complex have been replaced by seven private villas with names that allude to the hotel’s past and its setting, forming a complex called “E case di Misíncu”. Set deep in the maquis and available for let at all times of year, they are designed to reflect the character of the area - the pristine, rugged scenery of Cap Corse - allowing you to experience the real Corsica while enjoying the benefits of state-ofthe-art facilities and individual gardens, most of them with a jacuzzi. For large families, there is the Villa Montecristo, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms for total comfort and privacy. Hedonists in search of serenity and epicurean delights will find what they are looking for at the Villa Brachelle: a luxurious cocoon amid gorgeous natural surroundings, it invites you to linger under the lemon trees, revelling in the leisurely Mediterranean lifestyle. Couples will appreciate the secluded intimacy of the Villa Mascaracce, a free-standing suite set apart from the other accommodation.

Corsican cuisine between ourselves

Misíncu’s cuisine showcases traditional Corsican fare. From the moment he arrived, the chef, Thomas Brasleret, insisted on sourcing sustainably-produced ingredients directly from local food producers. Local ingredients are given pride of place in the kitchens of the Tra di Noi restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, whose lively cuisine features Mediterranean notes and flavours. “Tra di Noi” is Corsican for “between ourselves”, and in this idyllic setting, at a table with your chosen companions, overlooking the sea, it really does feel as if you have Corsica all to yourselves. For a snack lunch at the water’s edge between sunbathing sessions, head for the food truck on Misíncu’s private beach. Misíncu’s bar overlooks the blue sea and serves a dazzling selection of unusual brightly-coloured cocktails, each more inventive than the last, while the Gin Tonic Creazione workshop in the shade of the estate’s lemon trees invites you to gather whatever fruit and herbs take your fancy to flavour your gin and tonic. The Forest Bar in the permaculture gardens also celebrates Misíncu’s homegrown aromatic herbs. In this straw and wood hut that blends perfectly into its natural surroundings, hotel guests and other patrons mingle in an aprèsbeach party atmosphere.

Well-being and discovery

At the end of a path that leads through olive-groves stands a gracious house in mineral and pink shades. Inside is the spa - 350 square metres dedicated to well-being and relaxation, with four treatment booths, a sauna, an ice fountain, an experience shower, a steam room, a jacuzzi, an indoor swimming pool and a workout room. When it comes to exploring the Isle of Beauty in all its splendour, Misíncu’s guests have a head start. The estate’s premium concierge service can recommend all kinds of ways to discover hidden Corsica: what with diving excursions to explore the sea-bed off Cap Corse, walking tours on the paths that criss-cross the area, horse-riding on the beach, 4x4 racing and boat trips to view the coastline and its legendary Genoan towers, Misíncu offers excursions to suit all ages and tastes.

HÔTEL MISÍNCU LIEU DIT MISINCU 20228 CAGNANO - CAP CORSE CORSE - FRANCE HOTEL-MISINCU.FR