Tiny Atlas Quarterly at Couvent de Pozzo
Photographer Emily Nathan navigated the hairpin turns of Corsica's hills to reach a home that has been in the hands of the same family since the French Revolution. Once there, she found a secret worth traveling for.
- Category
- First Person
- Written by
- Tiny Atlas Quarterly
- Published
- August 5, 2025
Tiny Atlas here again with another exceptional stay—this time in the French island of Corsica. Our destination? Couvent de Pozzo, a 15th-century Capuchin convent. We arrived by ferry into Bonifacio and were greeted with limestone cliffs and salt air, the boat pulling between steep rock walls as the harbor came into view. From there, we followed the road north for a few hours. Just past bustling Bastia (if you fly, fly in here), a narrow and sharp turn led us far uphill into the trees. After arriving at the church, another hairpin turn brought us down a deeply shaded lane, with Le Couvent waiting for us at the end.
Photo: Emily Nathan
Photo: Emily Nathan
The property is perched high up in the hills between two very different beach towns—Plage de Lavasina, quiet and municipal feeling, lined with flat blue stones, and Plage d’Erbalunga, a pristine coastal hamlet with a tiny but bustling center.
The stone building of the property, more than 500 years old, has been restored with exceptional care by Emmanuelle and her family, who have maintained it since the French Revolution. Inside, it’s apparent that the space is full of intention.
Photo: Emily Nathan
Photo: Emily Nathan
Crisp white walls set the backdrop for antique furniture, and curated family heirlooms are mixed expertly with contemporary design elements. Historic family portraits and religious art draw your eye and are placed alongside modern jewel-toned couches and softly shaded Turkish beach towels. Every detail feels purposeful, and everything has been selected for a reason.
Photo: Emily Nathan
With its position high above the coastline, the convent offers expansive views across the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the early mornings on a clear day, the sun rises in vivid red over the water, flooding the stone hallways with warm light. By afternoon, gauzy white curtains shift with the breeze, and the pool reflects the bright blue skies above.
We found ourselves staying close to the house, drawn in by its romance and sense of ease. Days passed quietly between swims, slow meals in the courtyard, and long stretches of reading (and taking pictures). The delicious meals were vegetable-forward, and we loved the sounds and smells from the kitchen as Emmanuelle prepared them with ingredients grown nearby or gathered from the surrounding land.
Photo: Emily Nathan
Photo: Emily Nathan
When we ventured out, it was usually to Erbalunga—a tiny harbor village with narrow alleys, sea-worn buildings, and a handful of cafés where we lingered over fresh fish and pasta lunches concluded with cups and cones of gelato.
Emmanuelle also shared a favorite unmarked trail leading to a series of pristine and crystal-clear river pools, along with a small waterfall. It became a favorite stop, especially on hot afternoons.
Photo: Emily Nathan
Photo: Emily Nathan
Le Couvent feels like a secret—one that takes purpose and time to arrive at. When it’s a peaceful and restorative holiday that you’re looking for, this is the place to escape to.
STAY: Couvent de Pozzo
