The story behind the canyon’s name.
In the Saône region, a priest became famous for diving from impressive heights. In 1947, he jumped from a height of 35 metres, without having been trained in the discipline. The ‘flying father’ made more than 100 dives from a height of 35 to 42 metres. He was raising money to renovate his chapel.
Back home, in the Corte region, we also have a priest who braved the dangers of the water by jumping into the Tavignano river. The story begins;
A long time ago, a young priest was walking along the path that ran alongside the Tavignano canyon. According to some writings, his first name was Francescu and he was on his way to say mass in a small chapel in a small village.
At that very moment, his life changed and he entered a world that a small country priest could never have imagined. Francescu hears cries coming from the bed of the Tavignanu, the voice of a drowning woman. Braving his courage, the young priest rolled up his cassock, dived into the tumultuous waters of the river and succeeded in the impossible: saving the young goat herder by bringing her to shore. Saveria broke down in tears and shivered with cold; she had just seen death. The priest took her in his arms, holding her close to him for warmth, and at that moment, at that precise moment, the capsizing of her life began.
This young man forgets, forgets himself and, as Nougaro sang: ‘Allez! Trousers, pants, it’s flying around, eh balèze!
They avoid drowning, only to be struck down by love. After committing the irreparable, Francescu lives his relationship with Saveria to the full. But then a third character sneaks into the story: Paolo, a little village boy who is secretly in love with Saveria but has never dared declare his love.
He catches the lovers in their lovemaking and is overcome with rage. He takes out his stylus, but restrains himself: no, he can’t stab the priest in the gorges of the Tavignanu. He’d end up in prison and wouldn’t be able to live out his passion for Saveria.
The future crime must become an accident. An idea germinates in the back of his mind: he sees Francescu take off, leap over the deep gorges of the Tavignano and land on the other bank where Saveria is waiting for him. An accident, yes, an accident, it will look like an accident. Paolo left with a lighter heart. He has the solution. He has hatched his diabolical plan to eliminate the priest. He will place a boar skin smeared with grease on the rock where Francescu lands. The priest should slide to the bottom of the canyon on his next rendezvous…
The Tavignano river, which brought our two lovers together, could well turn into Francescu’s grave… But will he succeed?
The end of the story… only the guide who accompanies you knows the punchline. It will only be told to the most daring who dare to follow in Francescu’s footsteps as they gaze into the impressive gorges of the Tavignano canyon. Then you’ll understand why the canyon is called ‘Le Saut du Curé’.
All love stories come to an end one day, but is it joy or misfortune that will be at the bottom of this canyon?