2. Activities
3. Dining
4. Restoring the fold
5. Stazzu di San Bertuli

Catering at the San Bertuli sheepfold

Situated on the Via Romana trail, the Bergerie San Bertuli d'Orezza is once again a must for hikers every summer. On the mountain paths between Monacia d'Orezza and Parata, with family or friends, you'll be warmly welcomed by Georges and Marie-Jeanne Grisanti over a spuntinu of cheese and charcuterie from their farm and that of their son "U San Bertuli", used to make cheese fritters. Saint Bartholomew's Day is celebrated here on 24 August, with a procession to the medieval chapel of San Bertuli, also spelt San Bartoli or San Bartolu. On Easter Monday, people also go up there to a Merendella.

On this mountain ridge, the calm is barely broken by the ringing of goats and sheep, and on a clear day you can see the sea. It's an exceptional setting that regularly attracts the interest of the Arte group and France 3 Corse Via Stella channels, as well as the late Jean-Pierre Pernaut's 1pm news programme on TF1 in January 2019.

Cheese, charcuterie and doughnuts all summer long [ Videos ]

Cheese production at San Bertuli is at its peak from June to August. On the terrace, with a view as far as San Petrone, you can enjoy a plate of cold meats, cheese fritters, bread, fig jam and refreshments. You can also buy goat's or sheep's cheese on site.

In the past, Georges and Marie-Jeanne used to produce cheese up there at the San Bertuli sheepfold, then come back down to the village to market it. Access to the two footpaths - maintained every year - gave them the idea of developing the site into a place of welcome and discovery with the medieval chapel of San Bertuli. It was such a success that all their produce was sold without them having to come down all season. In October, the month of chestnuts and new charcuterie, Marie-Jeanne and George opened their Ferme-Auberge Santa Cristi in the village of Casabianca.

Cheese sales in the village of Casabianca

Cheese continues to be sold in the village of Casabianca throughout the rest of the year, along with brocciu in season. For this, you need to go down to Querceto where George and Marie-Jeanne will welcome you. During the festive season, you can reserve a goat or lamb for your Christmas or Easter meal by contacting Georges and Marie Jeanne a few weeks beforehand.

Breeders and producers, the Grisanti shepherds have been grazing sheep and goats on this mountain for 38 years, with a pastoral tradition handed down from generation to generation.

Easter Monday - A Merendella

Broadcast on Via Stella on 28 March 2016, the report on a Merendella di San Bertuli tells the story of this tradition that lives on in the Castagniccia mountains.

The path - San Bertuli d'Orezza

Two footpaths lead to the San Bartuli sheepfold, one starting from the village of Parata and the other from the church square in Monacia d'Orezza, which you can find on the map or by calculating the route from your starting point. Both access routes are equivalent, with a walk of around 1 hour 15 minutes through oak and chestnut trees. The medieval chapel of San Bertuli is perched on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 1074 metres, and is steeped in history dating back to the Middle Ages, as Georges and Marie-Jeanne Grisanti will tell you. It is also a place of worship, with the tradition of 24 August when pilgrims from all over the region gather to share their devotion.

Period and booking

In summer, from mid-June to mid-September (call ahead), you can visit San Bertuli every day without booking if you are with your family. If you're coming as part of a large group, it's best to book by phone rather than by e-mail, as the network is limited. In addition to the summer season, meals are also held on certain dates, so it's best to call ahead and ask Marie-Jeanne and Georges Grisanti for details.

Ferme Auberge at weekends

It's a project that Georges and Marie-Jeanne wanted to realise, and it's coming to fruition for 2019. The creation of a farmhouse inn that will welcome you every Saturday (lunch and dinner) and Sunday lunchtime with a unique menu that changes from week to week. Georges and Marie-Jeanne's cheese and charcuterie products will be featured all year round.

Join us in the village of Casabianca (Hameau de Quercettu) for a taste of traditional Corsican cuisine and farm produce from Castagniccia. Reservations are not compulsory but recommended.

Address and Contacts : Stazzu di San Bertuli