Rent Maison Du Laurier Rose France

Swing in the hammock beneath the pine trees before dipping into the swimming pool, then gather on the vast terrace overlooking the wild landscapes of the Desert des Agriates – you can even have a wonderful view of the Saint Florent bay and the Cap Corse.

Close to Saint-Florent, this beautiful estate in northern Corsica is wonderful for a getaway with friends or multi-generational family holiday. Once a traditional bergerie dating back to the 19th century (the bread oven and olive oil cellars have been preserved), the house has undergone an incredible transformation and now combines historic Corsican charm with contemporary architecture, allowing Maison du Laurier Rose to sleep up to 18 guests.

With nine bedrooms scattered across the modern wing of the house and older garden annexes, there are flexible sleeping arrangements with a range of single, queen, king-size beds. What’s more, nearly all of the bedrooms feature their own shower or bathroom, some with indulgent bath tubs or Italian showers.

Spend time with loved ones in the cosy lounge, then prepare Corsican feasts in the impressive kitchen with sliding windows opening out to the upper terrace with those spectacular vistas. A large dining table here makes al-fresco dining such a special experience.  

The three hectares of grounds await – there’s something for everyone with an organic kitchen garden, yoga deck, boules pitch, table tennis, football goals and a sauna for slightly cooler months. The swimming pool is magnificent and it’s heated during certain months, whilst there is another lovely dining space near the pool with a plancha-style barbecue, so atmospherically lit up as evening approaches.

The scent of Corsican maquis is captivating as you wander around the garden admiring pines, cypresses, olive trees, agapanthuses, oleander and other summer colours of the Mediterranean. At night, listen out to the sound of cicadas as you gaze at the stars – ask about the tents that can be set up in the garden for a night of comfortable camping.

The house is set just off the winding road that connects Saint-Florent to the north-west of the island, part of the protected Desert des Agriates. Hire quad bikes or a 4×4 to fully explore the landscapes and reach the famous beaches of Saleccia or Lotu. Alternatively, drive to Saint-Florent, around 12km away, for summer boat trips to these idyllic spots.

Embrace the historic charm and beauty of Saint-Florent, try out watersports at Plage de la Roya, visit the vineyards surrounding Patrimonio and appreciate the ruggedness of the Cap Corse peninsula. Heading west instead, stroll around the covered market in L’Île-Rousse and enjoy lunch in one of the hilltop villages of the Balagne before returning to the solitude of your beautiful Corsican abode.

Maison Interiors Main Floor (main entrance via steps) –    Lounge
–    Open-plan kitchen and dining area with doors sliding open to upper terrace with views  
–    Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm), TV and open bathroom with Italian shower, sink and WC

Top Floor (low, sloping ceilings)

–    Small bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm, can be split as two singles) and open bathroom with shower, sink and WC
–    Bedroom with twin beds (90cm each, can be joined to make a double), cot and open bathroom with bath, sink and separate WC

Lower Level

–    Bedroom with king-size double bed (180cm, can be split as two singles), doors sliding open to raised terrace and bathroom with bath, Italian shower, sink and WC
–    Bedroom with king-size double bed (180cm, can be split as two singles), doors sliding open to raised terrace and bathroom with Italian shower, sink and WC

There is also a small closet room (no window) with bunk-beds (90cm), located between the above two bedrooms, available only on request

Independent Garden Bedroom I

–    Bedroom with king-size double bed (180cm), TV, terrace and open bathroom with bath, Italian shower, two sinks and separate WC

Independent Garden Bedroom II

–    Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm), terrace and open bathroom with Italian shower, sink and separate WC

Independent Garden Bedrooms III/VI

–    Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm)
–    Bedroom with twin beds (90cm each, can be joined to make a double)
–    Terrace
–    Shared bathroom with Italian shower, two sinks and WC

Outside Grounds (3 hectares)

–    Swimming pool (18×4.5m, depth: 1.5m) with safety shutter. Open all year round, heated approximately October to June
–    Poolside terrace with sun loungers
–    Dining area with plancha-grill
–    Covered al-fresco dining terrace for 25 guests
–    Large upper terrace and lounge area with panoramic views of desert, sea and Cap Corse
–    Sauna (October to June only, 1.5 hours per day included)
–    Yoga deck
–    Organic vegetable garden
–    Boules pitch
–    Table tennis
–    Football goals
–    Swing and hammocks
–    Vast grounds (with steps, sloping grounds and some open terraced levels)

There are also two tents (sleeping 4 guests in total), each with a hot-water shower room with WC within the grounds, available on request only

Close to Saint-Florent, Maison du Laurier Rose enjoys a spectacular location within vast grounds overlooking the wild landscapes of the Desert des Agriates. There are wonderful views of the Saint Florent bay and the Cap Corse from the large upper terrace.

The estate is set just off the winding road connecting the north-west of the island and Saint-Florent (12km). You can fly into Bastia Airport (41km) or Calvi Airport (55km), both within a 60-minute drive whilst ferries arrive into Bastia (36km), L’Île-Rousse (33km) and Calvi (56km).

Rent a 4×4 vehicle/quad bikes or join a guided excursion and venture to the famous wild beaches of Plage de Saleccia (12km) and Plage du Lotu (12.5km) – less adventurous guests can reach the bays by boat from Saint-Florent in the summer months. This region is wonderful for keen hikers with trails across the Desert des Agriates as well as routes along the coast from Saint-Florent (including a 90-minute coastal trail from Saint-Florent to Plage de Fiume Santu and beyond).

In terms of nearby facilities, there is a local restaurant around a 10-minute drive away or just head straight into Saint-Florent and dine out overlooking the harbourfront, sea and distant mountains. Saint-Florent is also home to several attractive shops and a delightful market on a Wednesday morning. Take time to stroll around the picturesque seaside town and soak up its authentic charm as you admire old houses, pretty squares and idyllic scenery.     

Saint Florent’s main beach is Plage de la Roya with gently-shelving water, great for families with young children, and a range of seasonal watersports including paddle-boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite-surfing. There is also jet-ski and boat hire in Saint-Florent near the marina.

The area is known for its AOC wine production with vineyards around the charming village of Patrimonio (21km). Continue north to the heart of the Cap Corse and try the traditional Corsican apéritif made with island herbs. The landscapes of the Cap Corse peninsula are incredible with tiny fishing villages perched above the coast, Genovese watchtowers and little hamlets. The lovely village of Nonza (31km) and its unique beach is a great trip out or keep on the dramatic coastal road until you reach much-loved Centuri (70km).

Heading west instead, pass Plage de l’Ostriconi (20km) en route to the delightful town of L’Île-Rousse (33km) and visit some of the Balangne’s gorgeous hilltop villages including Monticello, Pigna, Corbara and Sant’Antonino – perfect for a traditional lunch out with beautiful views of the Balagne countryside.