Nonza (Cap Corse, Haute-Corse)
Perched on a cliff to peak on a huge beach of black pebbles, the village of Nonza is one of the jewels of the Cap Corse . Its steep streets and steep, the beautiful tiling, lead to a superb tour paoline (not sponge cake), shale, erected in 1760, from which one enjoys a panoramic view that is breathtaking on the western shore of Cap Corse and the bay of Saint-Florent . At the centre of the village, a small square surrounded by plane trees and facing the church of Sainte-Julie (Sixteenth century), to the beautiful facade, the colour of blood and gold. The more courageous will take the stairs down to the beach.
read also : the beauty of The cap Corse Pigna (Balagne, Haute-Corse) Pigna, takes its charm from its small artisan producers, dedicated to the local life. Adobe Stock/Jesse
Perched on the heights of the Balagne , in the hinterland of Calvi , this town with a refined charm, has experienced a spectacular renaissance thanks to artists and craftsmen who have settled there since the 1970s and are completely dedicated to the local life. The streets filled with flowers, the workshops of potters, of flûtiers, of ceramists, painters have popped up like mushrooms. Another attraction of Pigna: the music. The centre national de création musicale Voce offers year-round cultural events and concerts (corsican polyphony, but not only), that can be heard in the magnificent auditorium of the village, built in terracotta according to the traditional techniques.
Sant’antonino (Balagne, Haute-Corse) The old granite houses and is arranged in concentric circles around the hill. Adobe Stock/pkazmierczak
Yet another jewel which the Balagne , nicknamed the “Luberon of Corsica”, has the secret. This village of only 120 inhabitants is situated at 500 m of altitude, such as an eagle’s nest overlooking the sea and the bay of Algajola , with a view to 360°. Its uniqueness? The old granite houses are arranged in concentric circles around the hill to form a bastion compact. The entire village was restored and the ride in the alleys labyrinthine is a delight of every moment. As for heritage, we will focus on the remains of the fortifications and the small chapel of Sainte-Anne-des-Shepherds.
Zonza (Alta Rocca, Corse-du-Sud) Zonza is one of the towns most photogenic of Corsica. Adobe Stock
In the preamble, a little exercise in the language: in the corsican language, Zonza is pronounced “tsonsz”. Whatever the road (obviously winding) that has been borrowed, the arrival in this village crossroads, located at 784 m of altitude breath away. Emerging in the middle of forests of oaks, pines and chestnut trees, with the magnificent hands of Bavella in the background, Zonza is one of the towns most photogenic of the island. It is also an ideal base from which to explore the region of the Alta Rocca, is famous for its outdoor activities, including mountain BIKING, canyoning and climbing.
Penta-di-Casinca (Casinca, Haute-Corse) Penta-di-Casinca is accessible by a road narrow and tortuous. Adobe Stock
This is a needle hidden in a haystack. Away from the beaten track, this village is set in a corsican regional in character – Casinca , 25 km south of Bastia – is a revelation. Accessible by a narrow road and winding road (the D6 and then the D206), Penta-di-Casinca has a look that is harmonious, with its tall houses with roofs of green slate, on a hillside carpeted with dense vegetation and deep. A tip: go there in the late afternoon to enjoy the beautiful golden light and amazing views of the eastern plain and the Tyrrhenian sea.
Centuri (Cap Corse, Haute-Corse) Centuri, port village to the tunes of watercolor. Adobe Stock/photlook
Coup de coeur ” for this port village that gives the impression of moving in an array of watercolour. To Centuri , one moves to the west coast of Cape Corsica, a coast deeply indented that provides spectacular views. The adorable little marina , full of nooks and crannies, and staircases, is lined with houses in neat walls, plastered and a row of fish restaurants whose terraces illuminate the port in the end of the day. On the docks are piled up fishing nets, mats colorful. Boats moored perpetuate the tradition capcorsine of fishing for lobster.
Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano (Alta Rocca, Corse-du-Sud) Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano is known for the quality of its oils with PDO. Adobe Stock/rachid amrous
do You like olive oil? Mount to Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, in the back-country of the gulf of Valinco . This village is renowned for the quality of its oils with PDO, from a terroir generously planted with olive groves. To see: the eco-museum of the oil mill , which dates from the Nineteenth century. At the centre of the village are gathered all the components of the postcard of Corsica’s rural: high granite houses, a tree-shaded plaza, a fountain and some cafes where gossip the former. To discover, a fortified tower of the Fifteenth century, and the convent of Saint Francis , in the Renaissance style, 1.5 km from the village.
Tizzano (Sartenais, Corse-du-Sud) Tizzano is an endearing village that combines the pleasures of the sea and of the maquis. Adobe Stock/seb hovaguimian
Terminus! D48 ends in cul-de-sac with Tizzano , just south of Corsica, 15 km from Sartène . The reward: an endearing village (but a bit too crowded in summer period), which combines the pleasures of the sea and the surprises of the bush, with the approval of a small marina as we dream. Just to stray a little bit from the “centre” to immerse in a wild nature. Hikers will follow the coastal path that connects Tizzano to Campomoro . The followers of idleness will opt for one of the sandy beaches of the area. One can also rent sea kayaks or motor boats without a permit for access to secluded coves. For thin wafers, it is advised to book a table at Antoine, specialized in fish from local fisheries, to be enjoyed on the beautiful terrace feet in the water.
Sermano (Boziu, Haute-Corse) Detail of the frescoes in the romanesque chapel of San Nicolao of Sermano. Adobe Stock/JFBRUNEAU
please Bring with you a good GPS… Because Sermano deserves! Access to this village, enclosed within a micro-lot it-even isolated – from the Boziu , east of Corte , at the centre of the island – has the air of a treasure hunt. The point of view offered, on the cliff road from Castellare-di-Mercurio (D41), approximately 500 m before Sermano, is one of the most spectacular of the island. Sermano occupies a special place in the heart of the Corsican: it is the bastion of the “paghjella”, that old song from corsica at several voice, as it sings in the masses, and updated by the famous group Voce di Corsica and its iconic leader, Petru Guelfucci, a native of the village. Go meditate in the beautiful chapel of San-Nicolao , a 10-minute walk, admiring the frescoes of the Fifteenth century in a good state of preservation remarkable.
Lama (Ostriconi, Haute-Corse) Village gazebo, Llama overlooks the valley, 450 m below. Adobe Stock/ralf werner froelich
away from the hurly-burly of the coast, Lama is the pearl of the Ostriconi, a little-known region that makes the transition between the Balagne and the centre of Corsica. More reason to linger in the wonder of rural architecture. Perched on a rocky outcrop, at the foot of the Monte Astu , this village gazebo overlooks the valley, 450 m below. A course “History and architecture” you will discover the elegant bourgeois houses in the Italian style of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, once the properties of rich olive growers of the valley. Some of them are connected by vaulted passages. Note to athletes : of Lama, a trail leads to the Monte Astu (1 535 m, six hours round-trip). A demanding hike but the reward visual makes you forget all the efforts.
The editorial team conseilleLa Corsica on foot… out of the GR battusA the discovery of the Cape CorseLes beauties of the cape CorseSujetsCorseFrancevoyagesTourisme27 commentairesbobby_bretonle 21/05/2020 13:27
Most EVER in Corsica.
They do not want to see us, that they are alone. Sell it for 1€ in Italy.
Nimitzle 21/05/2020 at 11:46 am
The Balagne … the garden of Corsica …
in the words of Hitler : “I will make of France the garden of Germany” …
MARC SANTINIle 20/05/2020 10:41
The comment of”anonymous” is exciting, to go to Corsica for beaches, it is a cultural level rarely achieved.
Read the 27 reviews
