Corsica Villages
The heart of the island
When you’re on the Isle of Beauty, there are of course the unmissable places to visit, such as the citadel at Calvi, the port at Bastia and the beaches at Porto-Vecchio. But the authentic soul of Corsica is to be found in the more confidential villages of character. It’s the curious and motivated walkers who will discover the treasures they have to offer.
Explore the villages and hamlets of Balagne, Cap Corse and the south of the island. Explore the countryside through granite or schist houses, little Pisan churches and stony alleyways. You’ll feel the unique atmosphere so characteristic of this elusive island. Corsica has a strong identity, a troubled history and a sumptuous architectural and natural heritage. Set off to discover it from the Perla Di Mare camping village in Corsica!
Corsican villages in Balagne
a concentration of splendid villages
Monticello, Pigna, Corbara and Sant’Antonino are all names that sound enchanting to those who already know Corsica… And it’s also the promise of a thousand and one delights for the lucky person about to discover its idyllic setting. Situated between Calvi and Porto, the region has been the island’s veritable orchard for centuries. Still very much an agricultural area, its citrus groves, olive groves and vineyards punctuate the gentle slopes of its hills dotted with small bridges, chapels and hilltop villages.
These wonders include Monticello, a haven of peace surrounded by olive trees and overlooking beautiful beaches just a stone’s throw from Ile Rousse. Corbara, home not only to splendid beaches but also to the imposing baroque church of the Annunciation, whose furnishings and treasury museum reveal the wealth and splendour ofCorsican baroque art. With its sights set firmly on the future, the village of Pigna now boasts an auditorium whose architecture blends tradition and modernity, and hosts the island’s major musical event, the Estivoce festival, in July.
Craft stalls, artists’ studios and dapper flower-decked residences line the lively lanes. Sant’Antonino, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, is full of winding lanes and vaulted passageways. Muro and its beautiful baroque church, Speloncato, whose houses seem to cling to each other to keep from tumbling down, and the rocky outcrop are as interesting for their architectural heritage as for the many footpaths that lead hikers into the heart of the enchanting countryside.
Landscapes, authenticity
The Gulf of Porto, between sea and mountains
Jagged cliffs that seem to fall straight into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean: the the wild landscapes of Corsica’s west coast are breathtaking. One of the most beautiful sites is the Calanques de Piana. Surrounded by spires of granite whose red contrasts with the whiteness of its houses, the village of Piana welcomes visitors with its squares and fountains, small church and traditional houses. Its mule track offers magnificent views of the calanques, which can be explored on foot along a number of signposted footpaths. You can also reach the very pretty village ofOta, close to the Spelunca gorges.
Open to the open sea, Cap Corse
Long golden sandy beaches, lively seaside resorts, fishing villages and farmland follow one another on Cap Corse. Here too, between the customs officers’ paths offering magnificent walks along the coast and dreamy beaches inviting you to laze around, nestle superb villages with houses built of silvery-grey schist stone. If you follow the Cap from Bastia, you’ll discover the charming seaside town of Erbalunga, the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges with its 14th-century frescoes next to Castello, and the great pieve of Luri. Centuri, on the west coast, was once one of the island’s main trading ports. Today, it is famous for the lobsters that are caught here (and eaten!). Next stop is Nonza, dominated by its paoline tower, before reaching the seaside resort of Saint-Florent, gateway to the Nebbio and its famous Agriates desert, a vast expanse of maquis and a hiker’s paradise.
South Corsica
Chestnut, pine and beech trees, craggy peaks, deep valleys and dense forests make up the backdrop to theAlta Rocca, a popular destination for hikers in the midst of sumptuous landscapes. Zonza, a former village of shepherds and lumberjacks at the foot of the Aiguilles de Bavella, is the ideal starting point for exploring the region, which is criss-crossed by numerous footpaths. As well as the very interesting archaeological sites of Cucuruzzu and Capula, the village of Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano is well worth a visit. Its narrow streets lined with beautiful granite houses and its fortified house make for pleasant strolls. As for the square, shaded by plane trees, it’s an irresistible invitation to take a well-deserved break for an aperitif!
Make the most of your camping holiday near Southern Corsica to discover Porto Vecchio, Calvi, Bastia, Bonifacio, Ile-Rousse, Propriano, Aleria, Ghisonaccia, Sari Solenzara
