BASTIA / CAP CORSE

Populated since Antiquity, the city of Bastia was fortified by the Genoese at the end of the 14th century. In the 17th century the Genoese headquarters was moved from Biguglia to Bastia, a sign of the importance acquired by the city. From 1850 to 1870, the port was built, to become today the most important commercial and passenger port in Corsica. Almost 3/4 of import and export goods pass through the city’s port. The construction of the tunnel under the old port in 1984 helped improve traffic in the city center. The heart of the city is located around Place Saint Nicolas. Throughout the year, activities (concerts, exhibitions, etc.) are present on the square, particularly with the ice rink during the winter period. Terraces of cafes and restaurants are arranged all around in the shade of plane trees. To the south of the square, if you follow a footbridge along the sea you arrive at the Old Port and its fishing boats. From the port, we can see the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, built in the middle of the 17th century, with its two bell towers. Starting from the platforms, a staircase has been built to go up to the Citadel. Within the place, you can stroll through the old streets and also discover Sainte-Marie Cathedral. Behind the building is the Oratory of the Holy Cross, a small baroque chapel. Leaving the Citadel through the main gate, the route continues near the Governor’s Palace, on Boulevard Auguste Gaudin, which leads to Boulevard Paoli, the main commercial street in Bastia.

It is in the village of Miomo that one of the many Genoese towers along the coast of Cap Corse is located. This tower, dating from the 16th century, served to protect the inhabitants from foreign invasions and pirates.

The villages of Grigione and Lavasina offer magnificent gravel beaches for all lovers of relaxation. Note that on Lavasina beach a procession takes place every year at the beginning of September. The hamlet, a spiritual place on the island, is sometimes called “the Lourdes of Corsica”.

Erbalunga is a village located in the commune of Brando. On this narrow stretch of land, the houses stuck together are closest to the sea. Its paved roads, its old town with its stone houses and its Genoese tower take us back to the Middle Ages. The village’s fishing port served as a filming location, notably for the film “L’Enquête Corse”, but also a large number of painters were inspired by the place for their creations. The squares shaded by plane trees and palm trees will allow you to eat on the outdoor terraces of the cafes. In summer, you can enjoy music festivals, such as “Musique d’Erbalunga” which welcomes great artists of French song every year. During your visit, you will surely pass in front of the sign “Les Glaciers du Brando”. Here, snow, coming from the northern ridge of the Serra di Pogno, was preserved until the 20th century. It was used to cool the fountains during the summer.

If you want to relax on a fine sand beach in complete tranquility, that of the Marine de Pietracorbara is made for you. It is, in fact, one of the only fine sandy beaches in Cap Corse. Facing the sea, a magnificent view of the island of Elba and from behind, you can admire a panorama of the valley and the mountains. But if you want to cool off, inland and near the hamlet of Selemace there is a stream in which you can swim, surrounded by superb scenery and a picturesque bridge. For hiking enthusiasts, different trails are offered such as the Balade Blanche which leads to hamlets or the Balade des fours which will allow you to discover the fauna and flora of the surrounding area but also the historical and architectural heritage of the village.

The Tour de l’Osse, or Tour de Losse, is located halfway between the marina of Pietracorbara and the village of Porticciolo. Unlike most Genoese towers, this one is almost intact. At the foot of the tower, there is a small cove, little known and frequented mainly by locals. With its smooth rocks, its clear water and its few sandbanks, it is ideal for swimming in complete tranquility. Note that since the Macchia burned in 2002, we have seen terraces layered with stones appearing around it which bear witness to the intensive agricultural use of previous eras.

Continuing the road on the D80, we arrive at the small village of Porticciolo. With its slate-covered houses and pastel colors, this village has a charm typical of the region. Until 1873, the village housed a shipbuilding yard. When you walk along the quays of the port, you can see a Genoese tower restored as a holiday home appear at the top of the village.

Built in the 18th century, the village of Santa Severa was built to protect itself from invaders and bad weather. At the time, exports of agricultural products from the Luri valley to Italy were important. Today the marina welcomes vacationers during the summer period, and hosts a few local shops with restaurants and bars. The surrounding landscape is to be appreciated with its beach and sandy coves, with a view of the islands of Elba and Capraia and on the other side, the Luri valley with its vineyards, maquis and ridges. Festivities take place throughout the summer: balls, fireworks, Corsican songs…

Since the 13th century, the town of Meria has had significant economic activity, notably thanks to its trade with Italy: production of wine, oil, dried fruits. These products are exchanged for textiles, manufactured products or agricultural machinery. The territory is protected by the Genoese tower built in the 16th century, and the port is increasingly active. The exploitation of an antimony mine (useful ore to make lead more resistant) allowed the town to develop, with up to 954 inhabitants at the end of the 19th century. This economic dynamism ended with the closure of the mine in 1917, and the village gradually lost its inhabitants. The school closed in 1963, the post office is still there. Today, new constructions are appearing, old buildings are renovated to accommodate meeting rooms or the municipal library open all year round. Hiking trails have recently been developed towards Caracu.

Macinaggio is the marine village of Rogliano and is also the last village located on the East Coast of Cap Corse. The largest marina in Cape Town with 570 berths, Macinaggio comes alive mainly during the high season. Its marina can accommodate up to 200 boat spaces. If we extend the visit along the port towards the north, we find the start of the customs officers’ path. The path is preserved by the Conservatoire du Littoral, and 40,000 people use it each year. The route takes hikers towards Tamarone beach and the beach opposite the Finocchiarola Islands. Along the quays of the port, you can find bars and restaurants one behind the other. There are 5 hotels and around twenty restaurants, so four are open all year round. The village lives mainly from tourism, from April to the end of October, and the agricultural sector is also well represented with the presence of an AOC vineyard, and cattle, goat and sheep breeders.

In the municipality of Ersa, you can stop at the village of Barcaggio. Lively mainly during the high season, this village is located closest to the sea with a view of the island of Giraglia. Its fine sand beach and its shallow depth will please young and old alike. After the beach, you can access protected dunes. Finally, if you walk in the heights, you arrive at a cliff where the Agnello tower is located.

At the Col de la Serra, you access a magnificent panorama. First, a view of the west coast of Cap Corse. Then when we look towards the horizon, we can see the highest peak of Corsica, which often remains snow-covered until June.

If we stop at Moulin Mattei, the view will be just as beautiful. This restored windmill is easily accessible. On one side you can observe the horizon until you see the island of Capraja, and even on a clear day the French and Italian lands. And on the other side you can see towards Centuri on the west side of Cape Town and up to the top of Monto Cinto.

The village of Centuri, created under the Roman Empire, can be visited on foot. Around its pretty fishing port, there are colorful houses with the typical charm of the region, their roofs being covered with typically regional green serpentines. Its fishing port, dating from 1760, is today the most important lobster fishing port in France. The restaurants along the port are delivered by the village fishermen. Paoli made the village the military port of the independent Corsican nation in 1757. Centuri is surrounded by small bays accessible on foot from the roadside. The town is one of the tourist places in Cap Corse thanks to its 4 hotels and 8 restaurants. The hiking trails are well maintained around the village, which connect the different hamlets of the port and some of them allow you to discover the landscapes high above the sea. When you move away from the coast, the “via roman” path allows you to go to ancient sheepfolds and take the Roman path from Centuri to Macinaggio via the Col de Cateru.

Created by the Greeks BC, Morsigla underwent significant development in the medieval era. The quality of its Muscat was recognized abroad, particularly among the Germans. The important families of the village built towers and stately homes in order to protect its inhabitants from the arrival of pirates. The oldest tower is located in the hamlet of Pecorile. The village is home to a significant number of religious buildings, notably the Convent of the Annunciation, built in the 15th century. Despite a demographic decline after the First World War, the village, thanks to its tourist activity, occupies an important place in the landscape of Cap Corse, particularly with its rich heritage and landscape. Tourist reception structures are emerging (camping, lodges) as well as new services. The wine economy still has a significant impact within the village.

Seneca’s tower is located between the village of Luri and Pino. You can get there from the Col de Sainte-Lucie, via a road leading to the Convent of Saint-Nicolas. The latter was transformed into lodges (“Les Gîtes de Sénèque”). The monument has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1840.

Located in the heights, with a view of the sea, the village of Pino is in the middle of the vegetation, surrounded by eucalyptus, prickly pear, laricio pines, agaves… In the middle of the 19th century, Pino knew how to overcome the difficulties of its difficult terrain to develop its agriculture, by setting up a system of water retention and extensive irrigation canals. Traces of this activity can still be found today in the different hamlets of the village. At the time, it had a very developed production of blackberries, with 2/3 of the plants from Cap Corse. The wealth of the village is also due to the emigration of villagers to Puerto Rico in particular, who, on their own, built large Tuscan houses, as well as tombs facing the sea. We find that of the Piccioni family, (on the D80 before arriving at the hamlet of Valle), where the ashes of the daughter of Gustave Eiffel, and of her husband, diplomat and mayor of Bastia, are placed.

The small village of Albo has pretty fine gravel beaches. From the south of the beach, you can admire the village’s Genoese tower, which is located at the top of the cliff. If you want to take a short stroll within the village, it is best to park outside and walk up the alley to reach the center.

The village of Nonza is located just above the sea. At the very top of the village, you can notice a small viewpoint built in 1760. Starting from the village square and climbing numerous steps, you arrive at a still intact Genoese tower whose view overlooks the village. This is accessible to the public and can be visited. In summer, a photographer exhibits his photos taken from it at the foot of the tower. From this tower, a legend was created. She says that in 1768, after being invaded by France, soldiers abandoned their captain in the face of defeat. Captain Casella, alone, would then have placed weapons at each window of the tower, and ran from one rifle to another to fire at the enemy. The French, having believed they had a large army in front of them and in a position of defeat, would have stopped the fight and would have requested talks. They therefore decided to let the enemy troops leave freely. Only the captain left. From the village of Nonza, comes the Holy Protector of Corsica, also called Saint Julie. So-called miraculous fountains are located on the path leading to the Genoese tower. For anyone wishing to visit the village, it is preferable in summer to park outside and walk up to the village. South of the village, you can stop and walk up to the ruins of the Convent of St-François.

Before reaching the Marine de Farinole, we arrive in front of a magnificent sandy beach, one of the only ones in Cap Corse. It is the ideal place to relax and sunbathe. Sometimes you can see paragliders landing here. Not far from the beach there is another Genoese tower.

Patrimonio is the best-known wine region on the island. The activity has made it possible to develop very quickly thanks to its geographical position, on slopes of limestone rocks. In the village center and surrounding areas, nearly 33 wine cellars welcome visitors for a tasting and obtaining the best grape varieties. The majority of them can be found on the Wine Route. The Saint-Martin church, from the 17th century, has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1939. In the heart of the green theater, the statue-menhir “U Nativu”, from the 7th century BC, is planted. Every year, at the beginning of July, “Les nuits de la Guitare” takes place, where the biggest names in singing have already performed.

The village is lively throughout the summer period around its marina and its main square, at the foot of the Citadel ramparts. It was built in the middle of the 15th century, and has been listed since 1994. Roya beach, 3km long, is easily accessible for families, well protected during windy weather. From the beach, you have a view of the bay and the town of Saint-Florent. At the end of the beach, we find the starting point for the coastal path (formerly Sentier des douaniers) of Saint-Florent. A 2-3 day hike will take you through the Agriates desert, or to the Formali lighthouse, for a 2-3 hour return walk.