11/07/2025
Mylos Hotel will shortly be opening in Cargèse, the most authentically Greek of Corsica’s villages. This modern auberge, which has been designed and constructed by the Orma Architettura consultancy and embellished by interior decorator Dorothée Meilichzon, is committed to operating with full consideration for the environment and is fully integrated into the surrounding landscape.
Cargèse: a village with Greek roots
Situated on the west coast, between Ajaccio and Calvi and close to Piana, Cargèse is a village with a stunning view of the Mediterranean. Its most notable features are its two churches, facing each other above the sea. One is said to be Roman Catholic, the other Greek, and together they represent the history of this region. Cargèse la Grecque is so-called because, in the 17th century, the village played host to a community of Greeks who had fled their own country a few decades earlier. The two churches are located in the centre of the village, which extends around them in rows of sloping, terraced passageways, most of them free of cars. Between the churches, gardens overlook the port. There are houses dating back to the 18th and 19th century: they are sturdy in shape, with thick stone walls, narrow entrances and sober facades devoid of any embellishment. They rise two or three stories above partially buried cellars that open – thanks to those steep slopes – onto the adjacent lanes, too narrow for cars. This layout served as a source of inspiration for architects Orma Architettura who have worked hard to make the Mylos hotel project a contemporary reinterpretation of the vernacular architecture.
Mylos: a well-integrated project
The name Mylos means ‘mill’ in Greek; it refers to the old mill, now in ruins, which sits directly above the hotel, overlooking the heart of the village from its hilltop location. The aim has always been to integrate the hotel into the village’s landscape and architecture – to make Mylos part of its history – and the name was chosen to reflect that. A great deal of thought has gone into ensuring that the hotel doesn’t stand out when seen from the village and the two churchyards: it has been conceived as several buildings, their roofs covered in greenery, with walkways running between them that make it easy for visitors to ramble up to the hilltops.The entire establishment has 35 rooms, 25 of which are located in the main building, and a meeting room. The promenade crosses a patio adorned with a majestic Belombra tree. Several flights of stairs lead up to the upper levels, where the restaurant, bar, spa and indoor and outdoor pools are located. Two other buildings, built in terraces and perfectly following the topography of the sloping terrain, house the 10 additional rooms, accessed via tree-lined outdoor walkways. The communal spaces are enhanced by a landscaped garden, created from local plants including olive trees, helichrysums, myrtles and mastic trees. Certain plants were even taken out before the works began so they could be replanted during the final stages of revegetation. In addition, there are panoramic maritime views, ideal for any visitor who loves the sea.
Mylos: environmentally friendly construction
That steeply sloping landscape meant that the site required major excavation. When the works began, in spring 2022, it seemed both obvious and important to the architects from Orma Architettura that the excavated material should be repurposed and put to good use. Two concrete blocks were created from the rubble, with very little environmental impact. For the two terraced buildings, a “dry” concrete block was produced, also from the rubble. The final structure consists of an interplay of layers atop one another, rough to the touch and the natural colour of the earth. All the other buildings were created from “fluid” concrete based on material from the excavation, with terracotta pieces added to the mix. The result is an interplay of rough textures speckled with red from the scattered pieces of broken tile. If rock, stone and concrete are central to the Mylos project, the greenery that covers the property, including the roofs, brings a note of freshness and a visible breath of naturalness that are very welcome. A particular strong point is that none of the ground surfaces will be artificially waterproofed, in order to allow rainwater to flow freely back into the earth.
Mylos: inspired design
After spending several holidays seeing friends there, interior decorator Dorothée Meilichzon was already a fan of Cargèse. Here, in this Greek village, everything is delightful: “the two churches, the port, the magnificent beaches, the neat streets and orange-tiled roofs, the tiered layout and breathtaking views...” She is also open about her pleasure in collaborating with Orma Architettura. The idea was to bring history to life by blending sea, vegetation and land. That is the why, in these bedrooms, everything is about texture, nothing is smooth, the natural materials are foregrounded with, in places, the sudden appearance of the rock itself. This is a story of the Mediterranean, one that makes several subtle references to Greek mythology: columns and alcoves here, bathrooms with classical architecture and friezes etched into the plaster there. And it is a story that also features Corsica: the village and its churches, the shepherds and holm oaks, the darkness and the fishing... the tables have handles like amphorae, the friezes on the bathroom walls tell stories of the waves, the marble is veined in green, the whitewash is off-white, the headboards are designed to bring to mind shepherds’ berets, the fabrics make allusion to the rigging on a fisherman’s boat. The sea is everywhere, seen through every window, from every balcony... and it served as the crowning inspiration for Dorothée, who loves nothing more than to enthuse visitors with a true sense of their surroundings.
Restaurant Teos: a bridge between Greece and Corsica
For the coming seasons, Mylos is delighted to welcome Pierre GeronImi, master ice-cream maker in Sagone, who brings with him his brand-new concept, Teos: a simple, generous Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, giving pride of place to the Corsican terroir and its strong identity with Greek influences. This enthusiast of taste has sought out the best from local producers: Loïc from Sari-d’Orcino for his colorful chard, purslane, pointed red cabbage..., Pierre and his tomatoes from the Prunelli Valley... The fish comes from local fisheries, and the cheeses and meats are sourced in Corsica. Pierre Geronimi, always on the lookout for the best flavors, has drawn up a menu that follows the seasons, changing every month with different proposals every week: fish lasagne, lunchtime salads, veal tartare with mango, revisited desserts like this ouzo tiramisu... in the evening, dishes to share, grilled meats...
Not forgetting a few personal touches, inevitably iced, in sweet and savory versions: citrus ice cream served with fish, cheese ice cream with meat... Freshness and lightness are the order of the day, while originality and a touch of daring awaken the taste buds. Interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon has created a warm ambience with an organic, textured décor featuring rounded corners and touches of color, such as the stones inlaid here and there in the walls, screens to divide the space, and banquettes by the fireplace for chilling out. The restaurant’s outdoor terrace, open in fine weather, is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or a drink, accompanied by piattini and tempura, while taking in the view of the village and the Grande Bleue.
Mylos
Chemin de Paomia Montalbo, 20130 Cargèse
https://www.mylos-hotel.com/
