The windmill was restored through a partnership between the Cap Corse tourism board and the Mattei family brand.
It is one of several traditional mills that once dotted the Cap Corse ridgeline, utilizing the constant tramontana wind.
The Mattei family became world-famous for their quinine-based aperitif, which utilized the grain and botanicals sourced from the surrounding region.
The location serves as a navigational landmark for sailors approaching the northernmost tip of Corsica.
The windmill sits at an elevation that allows views of the island of Giraglia, located just off the northernmost point of the cape.
Moulin Mattei is a restored 19th-century windmill situated at the Col de la Serra on the Cap Corse peninsula. Originally built by the Mattei family, the mill was an integral part of the production cycle for the famous Mattei Cap Corse aperitif. It is constructed from local stone and features a unique architectural design adapted for the intense winds of the northern Corsican coast. The structure overlooks both the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean, providing a 360-degree vantage point of the cape. Its restoration was completed in 2005 to preserve the industrial heritage of the Ersa commune. The site is a prominent landmark of the Sentier des Douaniers coastal trail system. Visitors can observe the mechanical elements that once ground grain for the local agricultural economy.
From the trail leading slightly uphill behind the mill to frame both the structure and the coastline in one shot.
The path from the road is gravel and can be uneven, so wear sturdy footwear.
Bring windproof clothing even in summer, as the Col de la Serra is notoriously gusty.
Combine your visit with a hike along the nearby Sentier des Douaniers for broader views.
Attempting to climb the exterior or windows, as the structure is historical and fragile.
The mill is an exterior site accessible year-round, though the interior is not always open for public access.
