Milestone birthdays (30, 40, 50, 60) mark a turning point in life. You want to celebrate it with the people closest to you, in a venue that stands out from the ordinary. At Le Relais U Machjonu in Tolla, two formats are possible depending on your guest list: the **intimate format** (8-10 closest friends in full privatisation, a complete weekend on site) or the **extended format** (up to about 50 daytime guests, with a marquee in the garden and the option for the 10 closest guests to sleep on site).
Format 1 — Intimate birthday (8-10 people, full weekend)
The format we host most often: a full weekend for your 8-10 closest friends, with arrival on Friday evening and departure on Sunday afternoon. Typical programme:
Friday evening
Staggered arrivals from 4 pm. Corsican aperitivo on the terrace at sunset (charcuterie, cheeses, Corsican wine). Local-produce dinner at the big table: starter, main, dessert. Free evening — fire, board games in the library, music.
Saturday
Free breakfast. Activity of your choice: kayaking on the lake, hike to the Pozzi, horse ride at the Bastelica ranch, or relax / terrace / reading. Picnic. In the afternoon, Corsican wine tasting or sound bath (optional). Aperitivo. And the big birthday dinner: carte blanche to the Relais, special menu with a private chef on site, or your own caterer — depending on your preference.
Sunday
Optional morning yoga (on the terrace, 45 min, by prior booking). Easy brunch. Gradual departure before 2 pm. Many groups stay an extra night to wind down.
Format 2 — Extended birthday (up to ~50 guests)
For those who want to gather an extended family, friends from every era of their life, or mark a milestone birthday in a bigger way: the Relais can host up to about 50 daytime guests, with a marquee set up in the garden. You keep the intimacy of the place (full privatisation, no neighbours, home-like atmosphere) but you can invite beyond the inner circle. The 10 closest guests sleep on site, the others head home at the end of the evening (transfers towards Ajaccio or Porticcio possible if needed).
Typical programme for an extended birthday: arrival aperitivo on the terrace in the late afternoon, live music during drinks, dinner under the marquee (seated or buffet, your choice), dancing into the night, departure of external guests around midnight, and brunch the next day for those staying over. Fully customisable format.
Options to personalise
- Marquee in the garden — to be rented from a local supplier (essential for formats with more than 25 guests).
- Live musician (guitar-vocals, piano-vocals, jazz duo) or DJ for a dancing evening — on request.
- Photographer or videographer for the day / weekend — on request.
- Floral and table decoration — local florist organised on demand.
- Private chef for the big dinner or external caterer of your choice.
- Custom birthday cake — local pastry chef put in touch.
- Side activities: kayak race on the lake, horse ride, Corsican wine tasting, sound bath, morning yoga.
- Kids entertainer — local entertainer organised on demand to give parents a break.
