On the death of his grandfather, Paul Canarelli inherited a large part of his land looking out to the sea. To pay homage to the memory of his ancestor, he then restored a first sheepfold. Then others as well as very old traditional houses, established on neighboring land gradually bought back. The idea of ​​then surrounding them with luxurious and discreet comforts (garden, spa, swimming pool) was essential. At the same time, another dream was taking shape for him: reviving around the houses, centuries-old traditions of agriculture and animal husbandry, stemming from the experience of his grandfather, himself a breeder. To revive houses, ruined mills or abandoned sheepfolds, the very pure and inviolate landscape of Murtoli has dictated its law. Priority was given to fidelity to shapes and the simplicity of island materials. Delicate work of passionate masons, local carpenters and carpenters, sensitive and respectful men of this building from the 17th^e century, for whom here to invent, was each time to be found. “We don't choose Murtoli by chance. There are great encounters here, whatever the social level of our visitors. It is true that there are hosts who have a lot of resources. But there are also people who come and rent a small sheepfold out of season at 170 euros per night for a couple with breakfast included and access to the vegetable garden at will ” specifies Valérie Canarelli, Paul's wife.

Paul Canarelli, owner of the Murtoli estate - © DRAYNAL

Nineteen havens of paradise

Today, more than twenty years after the start of the first restorations, the result is judged by the voluptuous dry stone walls reassembled identically, the fair size of the openings, the centuries-old tiled roofs, the eternal charm of the arch supporting the stone staircase… “The tax exemption system in Corsica (local investment fund) makes it possible to make large-scale real estate investments. From the start, we have had the support of local banks such as Société Générale and Crédit Agricole. In fact, our investors are Corsicans but the funds come from the continent. Thanks to this legal provision in force on the island, each time we were able to count on several million euros tax-exempted in equity. I don't know if this will last, but we never could have done this without this specific diet. " explains Paul Canarelli.

Crystal clear waters

Equally breathtaking and magnificent is the location of these houses, some of which seem to escape sight and others, on the contrary, make a sign to the guests. Erected as caretakers, their windows open wide over the eight kilometers of coastline and beach with crystal clear waters. Some offer the foundation of patrician houses capable of accommodating a large family or a tribe of friends. Others, coiled in the hollow of the maquis, covered with a shady garden, spread the protective soul of the sheepfold which has become the tender refuge of a small family, or even the hiding place of a writer. “All the houses have a swimming pool except the Alivu and the Albitru, (the olive tree and the strawberry tree in Corsica) the first houses that Paul restored. This means that there are people that we absolutely do not see during their stay. It also happens that some of our guests take their wedding vows again, when they couldn't get married here ” specifies Valérie. 

Variable geometry golf

Murtoli is also a unique golf course designed by Kyle Phillips with multiple configurations. Paul Canarelli, the master of the place, took on the talents of this experienced American designer, because he wanted to create a golf course that fits perfectly with the morphology of the sloping terrain and that fits without any earthworks in a preserved landscape. “I had wanted to play golf for a long time, but I had neither the knowledge nor the networks. Later, I had the chance to meet Pascal Grizot, (the president of the Ryder Cup 2018 committee and the vice-president of the FFGolf editor's note) who became a friend and who told me that I was crazy about myself. embark on such an adventure. After a long moment of hesitation, Pascal Grizot told me that we had to go to Scotland. We visited eight courses in two days. When I saw Kingsbarns drawn by Kyle Philips, I said that was the right thing to do in Murtoli. I wanted the area not to be overwhelmed by the presence of a traditional 18-hole golf course. At the start I thought I would only do 6 holes. This is what I explained to Kyle when Pascal brought him to the island for the first time. He had the idea of ​​creating, on a relatively small surface, several different configurations, while making a nod to the history of golf: the first British Open was indeed played in 1860 in Prestwick in Scotland. over 12 holes! " remembers Paul Canarelli.

Universal reputation

Kyle Phillips immediately believed in the character and personality of the site. His know-how and his ability to design golf courses around the world in places that are sometimes improbable, have now earned him a universal reputation that spans five continents. « The fact that Kyle offered me something that doesn't exist anywhere else, literally thrilled me. I said yes right away, without figuring out, without calculating… and I very quickly found myself in a black shit… ” Paul emphasizes with humor. Today with its 8 9-hole courses in one place and its multiple possibilities of play the result speaks for itself… “In Murtoli, we managed to loosen the image of golf a bit. You leave without cards. You play wherever you want. It's a bit like pétanque, whoever wins throws the jack where he wants… ” explains the proud owner of this golf course which has made Corsica in collaboration with that of Sperone, a golf destination in its own right.

Luxury, calm and authenticity

The Murtoli estate is finally and above all a farm. An agricultural operation including 500 sheep, 100 cows, 13 hectares of immortals, 3000 olive trees which lives and develops, to produce the best of nature, oil, honey, meat, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, wood, flowers. Or a whole activity mixing men, machines, cattle, feeding techniques and culture, that the hosts of the domain enjoy watching. Thus, the farm is often a paradise for children and its vegetable garden is permanently open for picking under the watchful eye of Pierrot the gardener. “We work as much as possible with local producers and farmers, like Jonathan for the traditional charcuterie. Afterwards, there are things that we produce on site, veal, olive oil, vegetables and perhaps soon wine in collaboration with great winegrowers ” imagine Paul.

Identity tourism

At La Table de la Grotte, one of the three restaurants on the estate, along with that of the beach and the farm, nestled in the hollow of immense granite chaos, evenings are by definition unforgettable. A magical candlelit dinner, in an atmosphere of meditation, invites you to discover a gastronomy rich in authentic dishes, all accompanied by Corsican musicians. Definitely, Paul Canarelli is far from short of ideas when it comes to developing year-round his hotel business. After having collected the time of a summer the ex-presidential couple Carla and Nicolas Sarkozy, organized the marriage of the Oscar-winning producer Thomas Langmann, and developed on his field of hunting, fishing, botanical hikes, cooking lessons or oenology, he now plans to launch a mountain hotel between Figari and Porto Vecchio. “We are currently working on a high-end identity tourism program in Sotta. Our idea is to connect our different establishments by mule tracks. Ultimately, it will be possible to leave the beach and meet up a few tens of minutes later in the mountains, with the Bavella needles in sight. " he explains. For now and while waiting for the rest, a few steps from the prehistoric alignments of Cauria, Murtoli is an enchanting, authentic and timeless world ...

David Raynal

Domain Murtoli

Ortolo Valley
20 100 Sartene
Tel. : + 33 (0) 4 95 71 69 24
Fax: + 33 (0) 4 95 77 00 32
villas@murtoli.com
www.murtoli.com

Some pricing ideas

From 170 € in a sheepfold per night with breakfast for a couple in low season.

Rentals of houses on the estate

• Eddera (ivy in Corsica): € 4000 per night.
• In Pivarella (oregano): 170 to 900 € per night.
• Investigates (sarsaparilla): from 800 to 2500 € per night.
• The hamlet, 3 houses, 3 families, 16 beds from 800 to 2500 €

The Domaine also offers a catering service and packed lunches.

Annual closure from February 20 to March 20.

Flights Paris / Figari 250 €

The Murtoli Golf Links

A Golf "tournament" version.

• 12 holes between 100 and 500 meters long.

Multiple game configurations possible:

• 4 by 5 (from 480m to 530 m)
• 1 course configuration of 12 by 3;
• 1 9-hole course with 6 par 4.
• Play clockwise or vice versa or cross paths, you will be spoiled for choice.