Staying near Sartène: the granite town a quarter of an hour away
Photo: Agence Guddelmoni
Sartène is about 15 minutes' drive from Casa Mare e Macchia. You go up for a morning at the museum, or an evening on Place Porta, and come back down to sleep above the Gulf of Valinco, in Propriano. The Spin'a Cavallu bridge and the Sartenais vineyards are on the same route.
The drive
A quarter of an hour from the house
Allow about 15 minutes' drive to Sartène, and about ten minutes to the Spin'a Cavallu bridge. In July and August, allow longer.
At this distance, you don't have to do everything at once: the museum one morning, the old town another day, the Catenacciu on the evening of Good Friday.
Things to do in Sartène
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The old town of Santa Anna
Sartène, traditionally nicknamed the most Corsican of Corsican towns, keeps its narrow lanes and grey granite façades in the Santa Anna quarter. Place Porta, lined with cafés, is its heart.
The Musée d'archéologie de la Corse
The museum covers the island's history from its first settlement to the end of the Genoese period, with a significant collection of statue-menhirs. Entry costs €4, €3 at the reduced rate, and it is free for under-10s. It is open all year, with opening hours that change with the season.
The Good Friday Catenacciu
On the evening of Good Friday, the procession sets off from the church of Sainte-Marie, on Place Porta, usually at around 9.30pm. The Grand Pénitent, in a red tunic, hooded and barefoot, carries the cross through the lanes. In 2027, Good Friday falls on 26 March. Visit Corsica advises arriving early, bringing warm clothes and comfortable shoes, and keeping silent.
The bridge at Spin'a Cavallu
Between Arbellara and Sartène, this so-called Genoese bridge, from the medieval period, spans the Rizzanese: 64 metres long, 8 metres above the river. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1976.
The town is described in detail in our article on Sartène.
Planning your time from the house
One morning.
The museum, then Santa Anna on foot. You are back for lunch, or for the pool, which stays heated and open all year.
One Friday.
Every Friday, the tourist office runs an outing to a Sartenais wine estate, leaving from its Propriano office, by reservation. The appellation area covers the hills of the gulf, from Olmeto to Belvédère-Campomoro. The estates and grape varieties are in our article on Sartenais wines.
The evening of the Catenacciu.
The procession starts at around 9.30pm, and the drive back takes a quarter of an hour. If you are coming for these dates, check our availability on the booking calendar: it is always up to date.
On other evenings, you can have a drink on Place Porta, then come back for the chef's table, at 8pm, by reservation. Wine pairings are available as an option.
Further south on the Sartenais coast, Roccapina is about 35 minutes from the house.
Suite or villa?
As a couple, the two suites each measure 30 m², with a queen bed and a walk-in shower. Luna lives level with the pool. Nina, on the top floor, has its large private terrace for an aperitif when you get back from Sartène.
For four, the villa is rented in its entirety, with its fitted kitchen and its pool. Bookings require a minimum of two nights.
The location, the surroundings, the kindness of the owners, the freshness and flavour of the breakfasts.Annick · Booking
Frequently asked questions
About 15 minutes' drive. The Spin'a Cavallu bridge is about ten minutes away.
Yes, according to the Collectivité de Corse, with opening hours that change with the season. Entry costs €4.
Yes. The procession leaves Place Porta at around 9.30pm, and the house is a quarter of an hour's drive away.
Book direct
Sartène in the morning, the pool in the afternoon, the long table in the evening. Book your suite or the villa direct: the best price, no commission.
À prestu.
“See you soon” · Casa Mare e Macchia · Propriano