sometimes You have to stay in the shade. Located between the gulf of Ajaccio and Porto – the two celebrities of the corsican coastline, the gulf of Sagone, 45 minutes from Ajaccio and near Cargèse, still not very crowded compared to the rest of the island. There are, however, advantages with its sublime beaches, its landforms and lush green villages of charm where it is good to take his time. An excellent island destination at the time of social distancing.
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from Ajaccio, the first image of the gulf of Sagone, which arises by surprise after the col de San Bastiano , is full of promises. There is the river Liamone , which winds up to a large bay where the sea rushes in heavy weather ; a lacy coastline that alternates long sandy beaches, areas of bush, impenetrable and rocky coves ; and also of fierce valleys, which lead to the villages of the hinterland and the heights of the massif of the monte Rotondo , forming an impressive natural rampart.
The whole is an outstanding example of a mediterranean landscape, miraculously preserved.
Cargèse, the GrecqueL’Greek church square always the roman catholic and continues to reflect the original story of Cargèse. Jean Tiffon
Curious fate of Cargèse , a delightful village perched on a large promontory facing the sea and the gulf of Sagone. Some beautiful neo-classical houses, ordered around a small valley overgrown of gardens, information on the time of the construction of the village, at the end of the Eighteenth century. It is the count of Marbeuf, a lieutenant-general of Louis XV as a native of Brittany, who ordered the creation of Cargèse after taking control of Corsica by the French, 1769. He established here a community of refugees in greece from the region of Mani, in the Peloponnese.
today, the Greek church square always the roman catholic and continues to bear witness to this original story. Its rich iconostasis and its vaults of blue carry the visitor to a Mediterranean further east.
Catalogue of plagesLa long beach of Peru.. Adobe Stock/Martin
Around Cargèse, the beaches follow and do not resemble each other. The white-sand beaches of the creek Menasina , on the road to Sagone, is bordered with rocks of gold. Its waters are calm and clear and make a spot ideal for indulging in snorkelling.
on the other side of the village, the long beach of Peru. is closed by the peninsula Omigna , covered with scrub and watched over by a genoese tower. It is possible to reach it by walking an hour through a barren fragrant, invaded by immortal. Further north, the stunning beach of Chiuni provides a framework for the raw and wild beauty. The riders love the criss-cross in the setting sun, just as the lovers.
Vico, a village corseVico has the charm of the villages of the hinterland, with its square shaded by plane trees and its steep streets. Jean Tiffon
Invisible from the coast and surrounded by the summits, the village of Vico has become the beating heart of the region from the Middle Ages. At this time, it supplanted little by little Sagone because of the many attacks by barbary for the coast, which threatened its population.
today, Vico has all the charm of the villages of the hinterland with its little square shaded by plane trees and its steep streets. In the afternoon, she is taking a torpor typical of Corsica from the inside. At the end of the day, it comes alive around its terraces of cafes, where you sip a beer watching the boules players.
About the convent of Saint-François, , which dominates the village since 1481, it is also a nice goal to walk. It is possible to penetrate in order to catch a glimpse of the daily life of the missionaries who settled here and even stay there, time for a spiritual retreat.
read also : Corsica on foot : our three routes découvrirLe Liamone and the lake of CrenoLe lake of Creno is hemmed by pine Trees, under whose shade a picnic. Adobe Stock/Martin
To the output of Vico in the direction of Murzo , the road passes over the Liamone. below the bridge, several natural pools allow you to swim in water bright and clear. Ideal to cool off during the hottest hours or to take a nap in the shade ! Higher up in the valley, above Soccia , a footpath provides access to the superb lac de Creno at the end of a walk in 1h15.
Perched on the foothills of the Monte Retondo to 1 300 m above sea level, this lake boasts an ecosystem of great wealth. Its banks planted with pine Trees are conducive to picnicking, but also to the observation of nature. The curious try to find on the shores a few specimens of true, a carnivorous plant, endemic.
Muna, village fantômeConstruit the side of a mountain, this village has been abandoned for half a century. Adobe Stock/Alain Crépin
Last stage of this discovery of the gulf of Sagone, the village of Muna was built to the side of the mountain. Composed of over fifty buildings, it is abandoned for more than fifty years. It is necessary to follow a winding road and steep to reach this little piece of the world… The summer, a handful of people come back to stay there for a few weeks, giving him a semblance of life. The old chapel, a poignant simplicity, appears to be left to his sad fate.
climbing the paths stony depart for the assault on the village, it is easy to imagine the harsh life of the forest who lived here until the mid-Twentieth century. At least could they enjoy this majestic landscape and unique, that you can not see that in Corsica.
read also : Penta-di-Casinca in Zonza, the ten most beautiful villages of CorseCARNET PRACTICE
GO THERE
Several ferry companies (Corsica Ferries, Corsica Linea, La Méridionale) to ensure the crossing to Ajaccio from Marseille, Toulon or Nice.
Air France and Air Corsica are serving Ajaccio throughout the year.
Sagone is a 40-minute drive from Ajaccio airport. It is best to rent a car to explore the area, the public transport is quite limited.
WHERE to stay
Trees , to Cargèse : a hotel residence away from the hustle and bustle but not far from the long beach of Peru.. Modern rooms very comfortable and pleasant swimming pool. Double room from 80 €.
GOOD food AND exceptional PRODUCTS
At Merendella, Soccia : in the high valley of the Liamone, a table with a view enhances the rich terroir local. Booking required. Tel.: 06 45 35 61 53.
Grocery Leca , to Cargèse : a gold mine for finding the best gourmet products of the island of Beauty. Aperitifs and snacks on-site.
Pierre Geronimi, to Sagone : the best glacier of Corsica offers here of delicious sorbets and ice creams, but also fresh salads and a few inventive dishes.
Le Clos of Alzeto, in Sari-d Orcino : this wine estate, whose vines are planted at around 500 m altitude, has existed for more than 200 years. The cuvées of the house are mostly from of corsican grape varieties (vermentinu, sciaccarellu and nielucciu).
ACTIVITIES
The Ranch Corsica. This equestrian centre with a ranch in Sagone and the other one at Cargèse offers superb walks in the bush or on the beaches of the region.
MORE INFORMATION…
www.ouestcorsica.com, www.visit-corsica.com
The editorial team conseilleDe Penta-di-Casinca in Zonza, the ten most beautiful villages of CorseLa Corsica on foot… out of the GR battusLes beauties of the cape CorseSujetsCorseFrancevoyageTourisme1 commentaire2623705 profile (not moderate)the 10/06/2020 10:34
Accustomed of Corsica and the beautiful region of Sagone, it’s been over 40 years since I have stayed there each year, including the summer, and my seats boats have been reserved in November. But I hesitate to go there this year is not certain that the island is a destination health safe. The conditions of travel by boat (gestures, barriers, masks, distancing during boarding and disembarking) are uncertain : Corsica Linea do not speak for the period after the 23rd of June. The capacity in beds of reanimation of the hospital of Ajaccio are insufficient for a large influx of tourists there are cases of coronavirus. And if we must be confined ? Under what conditions can we be. It is certain that we will not have the same vacation as the other years, and it is a shame considering the relatively high cost of this destination.
of course, there is no question of imposing a quarantine to the tourists arriving on the island, but a temperature-taking and tests, carried out before boarding would allow Corsica to be a destination health safe. I look forward to the measures that must disclose Edouard Philippe in the day Wednesday.
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