The island of Corsica is an unforgettable vacation on the Mediterranean coast. Ferries to Corsica. Southern Corsica - Wilderness

Corsicans say about their lively and vibrant island: Corsica was often conquered, but never subjugated. Previously ruled by Pisa, Genoa and France, today Corsica enjoys a special status. And it is special in everything: a mountain in the middle of the sea, an "island of beauty", Corsica is surprisingly diverse in terms of landscapes, and its relative freedom from hordes of tourists and industrial enterprises allows the island to still remain one of the most precious pearls of the Mediterranean. There are many on the island magnificent landscapes, beautiful bays, interesting sights, clean beaches and figures of Napoleon. But who is still few there - it's tourists from Russia.

The tourist attraction of Corsica is, first of all, the sea (beach, diving, sailing), and secondly, the mountains (hiking, in particular the famous network of routes GR 20). Most of the guests arrive on the island in the summer, especially in August: in this month the number of tourists doubles and triples compared to July (when there are already a lot of them here). Therefore, if your vacation falls in August - book everything as far in advance as you can.

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How to get there

Flight to Paris or Nice, then - domestic airlines to Ajaccio, Bastia, Figari and Calvi (about 1.5 hours) or by NGV ferry from Nice or Marseille (about three hours). It is also possible to fly bypassing France as a connection point: for example, with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.

Ferries connect Corsica with Nice, Marseille and Toulon, and from April to October - also with Italian ports: Genoa and Livorno. Small boats scurry across the channel between Bonifaccio and Sardinia from April to September.

Search for flights to Ajaccio (nearest airport to Corsica)

Weather in Corsica

The island has always warm and dry summers, moderate winters, a lot of sun and little rain. Average annual temperature- about +20 °C, and in summer the heat can reach +36 °C. The best month for a holiday is September, but confirming hotel rooms at this time is almost impossible.

Popular hotels in Corsica

Cuisine of Corsica

A gastronomic journey through Corsica should start from the market in Ajaccio. You can thoroughly get acquainted with the freshest seafood at the morning fish market, the abundance of which many Mediterranean port cities can envy: stingray, tuna, gurnard, trout, sardines, swordfish, lobsters, anchovies, etc. On weekends, the port breaks their tents and the market of local delicacies. Due to the proximity of Sardinia, here you can taste both Corsican and Sardinian goodies. Vendors will generously offer you to taste raw smoked sausages with pepper and spices, coppa and prizuttu hams, figatellu liver sausages, brocciu, soft fat cheese made from sheep's milk, numerous varieties of honey (floral, chestnut, summer fruit, citrus), strawberry and fig jams and, of course well, still warm sweet pastries and local hand-made bread. Corsican olive oil is best bought at the markets in Saint Lucie de Tallano in March and Montegrosso in July.

In the menu of a restaurant or a small cafe, you should look for chestnut soup with onions and garlic in meat broth, dishes with young goat meat, panzetta bacon with egg and baked potatoes, scrambled eggs with mint and brocciu cheese. The most popular delicacy among the Corsicans themselves is liver sausage, fried over an open fire.

The sweet chestnut takes pride of place in the Corsican culinary tradition. Soups, bread, all kinds of desserts and pastries, beer, liquor, side dishes are prepared from it. And the local mandarin is especially sweet and is an indispensable ingredient in Christmas pudding.

Corsica also boasts its own distinctive wines: light red wines with notes of flowers, fruit and coffee, made from the Sciaccarelli variety, rich red wines with aromas of fruits, licorice and violets (Niellucciu variety, Patrimonio region), dry white wines of a greenish-yellow hue, aromatic halftones of apples, almonds and flowers (variety Vermentinu). 8 regions of the island also produce fortified orange, tangerine, plum and nut wines, mint, myrtle, strawberry, chestnut liqueurs, Cap Corse cinchona aperitif and a local variety of vodka - aquavita ("Living Water").

Due to the long Genoese rule and proximity to Sardinia, a special Corsican dialect still exists on the island, the phonetic basis of which is Italian dialects, and the lexical content is modern French.

Entertainment and attractions of Corsica

Corsica has a lot of old pretty towns which will be able to dispel the boredom of holidaymakers. For example, on the west coast, Saint-Florent stands out with a vibrant nightlife and many street cafes.

The city of Corte is the "heart" of all Corsican history. It's lively resort town With big amount higher educational institutions, in which more than 4 thousand students study in total. No less famous is Propriano, where all types of recreation are at the service of tourists: boat trips, sports activities, restaurants, shopping, excursions. 15 km from it is ancient city Sartene, which gained fame thanks to the ancient Christian ceremony that takes place here annually - the catenacciu procession, when the penitents, barefoot and in chains, carry a wooden cross through the Old Town to the local Calvary. Another pretty town of Porto-Vecchio lies northwest of Bonifacio. It is famous for its cozy bays and clean beaches.

Citadels and fortresses

The long Genoese rule left a memory of itself in the many fortifications of the island. The majestic citadels of Bastia, Calvi and Bonifacio have already acquired modern serenity with their leisurely coffee houses, antique shops and artistic studios, but from the sea they still amaze the imagination with their harsh stone power. The Nonza tower on Cape Corsica and the Capitello tower in the Gulf of Ajaccio are considered remarkable examples of the era. Bastion Corte is a particularly rare specimen: it was built by the squires of medieval Corsica.

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Attractions prehistoric

The historical site of Filitosa is a huge park of a prehistoric settlement discovered in 1975. Here you can see spherical stone cave houses - dolmens, defensive structures, blocks-statues of ancient warriors - menhirs and a park of "dinosaurs" (huge darkened boulders that, when viewed from different sides take the shape of fossil giants). The park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and dates back to around 6000 BC. e.

Reserves and diving

Eastern Corsica is notable for chestnut groves stretching from Bastia in the north to Solenzar in the southeast. Here is a beautiful nature reserve Buguglia, and in the reservoirs of Aleria mussels and oysters are bred. Here you can dive wonderfully, but amateur marine hunting for crustaceans and coral mining is prohibited. In two natural reserves - Scandola between Calvi and Porto and on the Lavezzi Islands in the southernmost part of the island, absolutely everything that is under water is protected.

The island also has a number of special attractions - for diving enthusiasts. Off the east coast near the town of Campoloro, the ship ALCIONE, launched in 1915, sank (the length of the object is 54 m, the maximum depth is 35 m). In the Ajaccio area, not far from Cape Castagna, you can find the 60-meter La Meuliere built in 1918 (maximum depth - 11 m), the twin-engine Vickers Viking aircraft rests in the Mortoli Bay, and the citadel of the city of Calvi "warmed up" near the side of the "flying fortress" ( B-17) during the Second World War. The surroundings of Bonifacio near the islands of lle Cavallo, lles Perduto and lle Lavezzi offer many dive sites. Here you can find large groupers, flocks of barracudas and red corals. And the visibility of the order of 30 m gives the feeling of a real flight. For beginners, comfortable uncrowded beaches in Bonifacio Bay are suitable.

Leisure

Corsica is also an ideal landscape for lovers mountain walks and extreme. mountain range The island, stretching from northwest to southeast, has 20 peaks over 2 thousand meters above sea level, the most majestic of which is Mount Sinto (2710 m). It is full of centuries-old trails adapted for hiking and horseback riding. The most famous GR20 leads from Calenzana to Conca (about 20 km) and takes about 10-15 days to pass, during which you can observe many magnificent landscapes: slopes strewn with strawberries, junipers, heather and myrtle, azure lakes and winding in the valleys of the branches of the rivers. Local equestrian centers have many programs of various formats: from one-hour walks and one-day routes to multi-day trips with overnight stops in cozy chalets.

From others active entertainment: sea kayaking around the cape of Corsica, a trip through the Agriates desert, boat trips, fishing, scuba diving, mountain hiking all over the island (on foot or on horseback), canoeing on mountain rivers.

Holidays and festivals

But you will not recognize the real Corsica if you do not visit one of the city or country holidays, during which the traditional entertainments of the Roman and Genoese courts return, melodic Corsican songs sound and, of course, moresque and quadrille are performed. On August 12, the inhabitants of the canton of Piogiolle compete for the title of the best bell ringer, on August 25, village violinists of the island gather in Sermano, whose traditional chansons are accompanied by folk costumed festivities with singing and street quadrille, and at the beginning of September, at the fair in Niolo, real, like in the era of knightly tournaments, are organized poetry competition.

Europeans have long known the natural beauty of Corsica. When the Greeks first saw mountain island against a sparkling background blue sea, they called it “Kallisté” (the most beautiful).

While the French have been holidaying in Corsica for centuries, many Americans have yet to discover this magical place in many ways. The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, Corsica is a delightful seaport, with towering mountains and incredible coastlines, sandy beaches and medieval cities. Corsica also has fascinating story, with its cultural influences from Italy, North Africa and France. Many locals speak an Italian dialect, although the island is French and religious processions still pass through the cobbled streets.

So grab your hiking boots, bathing suit, and evening gown for a walk along Corsica's bustling harbor.

Bonifacio:

The ancient fortress of Bonifacio, located on limestone cliffs along the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most beautiful places in Corsica. Founded in the 9th century by Pope Boniface II in Tuscany, the city is a delightful labyrinth of cobbled streets lined with old stone houses, cafes under open sky, and shops selling honey, cheese, wine, and other Corsican dishes.

Carved into the chalk white cliffs, this magnificent diagonal staircase leads from the top of Bonifacio to a hidden well. According to legend, in a futile attempt to capture the city, the Aragonese soldiers allegedly made 187 stairs in one night. But like many stories on the island of Corsica, it's hard to know if it's true or not.

This stunning nature reserve is a world heritage Unesco, and worldwide famous for its Calanche de Piana - dramatic red granite slabs that jut out of the sea and change color with sunset and sunrise, and the Genoese watchtower on top of the cliff. There are daily boat trips to the seaside town, but you can also explore the landscape walking tours. Also in the area of ​​the Scandola nature reserve, one of the most unspoiled places in Corsica. Because of its isolation, it has an amazing variety of marine life, offering some of the best snorkeling and diving in Corsica.

Commune of Piana

Nestled in the mountains overlooking the shimmering Gulf of Porto, Piana is one of the most beautiful villages France. The picturesque village borders the Calanque nature reserves, and its bed flower houses, narrow streets and town squares make it a very attractive place to walk and stop for lunch.

Located off the coast of Bonifacio, these outlying islands are something of a paradise. With their plentiful marine life islands, snorkeling and scuba diving are their calling card. There are secluded beaches for sunbathers. You can book a motorboat tour of Lavezzi, but tours depart daily from the port of Bonifacio.

This stylish resort is popular with Italian tourists and has some of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica, including Palombaggia, Tamaricciu, and Santa Giulia. If you want a completely different kind of travel, then head inland to explore mountain region Alta Roca, with its gorges, rivers and waterfalls.

Grand Randon 20

One of the most famous tourist routes in Europe, the Grand Randon stretches over 100 miles along the Corsican Island. The route is quite difficult, and that is why few tourists have seen it. It passes through the wilderness of a glacial lake and dense forests, with glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. Along the route you will meet huts for tourists, or you can use a guide.

Corsica is the most big Island belonging to France in the Mediterranean Sea. The administrative center in the city of Ajaccio is famous as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The island has five reserves with untouched natural environment and International Marine Park. Favorable climate and ecologically clean coast attract lovers beach holiday, hiking, diving, sailing. fans excursion tours will be interested in unique archaeological sites, historical and cultural monuments.

central part islands is recognized as a unique natural ecosystem and is closed to any economic activity. Hiking trails of varying difficulty run through the park. The longest one is GR20.

The "Great Hike" covers a distance of almost 180 km and stretches from north to south of the island along mountain passes, allowing you to see a variety of natural attractions. On the way, tourists are waiting for unique landscape views, birch and pine forests, chestnut groves, waterfalls, swimming and fishing in the purest mountain lakes and rivers.

The height of Monte Cinto, the most high point Corsica, makes up 2706 m. From its top you can see the Gulf of Ajaccio, the coast of Aleria, Monte Rotondo, the western coast of Corsica and the island of Elba. The slopes are traditionally used by fans of alpine skiing.

In the foothills and surroundings, you can see unique forests with black pines, chestnut plantations, four glacial lakes. All natural attractions lie on the path of tourist routes of various levels of complexity.

The Scandola Peninsula in the west of Corsica, like most of the island, is about 250 million years old. The protected area of ​​the park is 12 thousand ha coastal zone and coastal waters. Sights include granite cliffs up to 300 meters high, painted in unusual bright colors, bizarre grottoes and caves.

The rocky shore has become a haven for several dozen species of birds. In coastal waters, there are up to 400 varieties of algae. Thanks to this, the colony of inhabitants underwater world in the area of ​​the peninsula is unique and has more than 200 species. Here you can watch the life of seals or turtles in natural environment habitats, admire the dolphins. To avoid formalities, tourists are offered trips on sightseeing boats, which provide the possibility of diving and going ashore.

The coast of Corsica is indented with bays, grottoes and caves. In the Banifacio area, tourists can see the huge underground halls created by nature. Light filtering through cracks in the ceiling gives the underground cavities a majestic and somewhat ominous appearance. Perfectly clear water, due to the color of algae, has a purple hue.

You can get inside only from the sea, which was traditionally used by smugglers and lovers of marine profit. Tour boats depart daily to the caves. Along the way, you can visit the caves of Napoleon, the silhouette of which resembles an imperial cocked hat.

Archaeological monuments of the II-IV millennium BC have been preserved on the island. in the form of statues-menhirs. Carved from stone, the statues are covered with carvings, giving each idol an outward distinction. The drawings suggest that these are warriors with weapons in their hands, created by the ancient inhabitants of the island around 1500 BC. Menhirs belong to the late period of the Stone Age and the early period of the Bronze Age.

In Felitos, more ancient finds of fragments of ceramics, arrowheads dating back to the period of 3300 BC were also found. Near the complex grows a unique olive tree, whose age is about 2 thousand years. All objects are provided with accompanying plates in French and English, audio guides. The site is illuminated in the evening.

"Devil's Shop" - prehistoric dolmens

Not far from the Felitosa Museum is an open-air complex with unusual architectural structures from prehistoric times. The Stationo del Diablo or "Devil's Shop" is sometimes referred to as Fontanaccia. On it, and the nearby territories of Palagio, Stantari, Renagio, there are about three hundred dolmens of the bronze historical period.

The ancient buildings are well preserved. Multi-ton designs are amazing modern man with their sizes. Stone sculptures are found throughout the island, but the largest number is located in the south.

The fortress was built in the 9th century. Count Boniface II of Tuscany, who fought against the Saracens. The citadel for several centuries regularly performed protective functions. defensive structure looks very impressive by today's standards. Particularly striking is the thickness of the walls and the observation guard tower, the height of which reaches 35 meters.

The structure built in 1195 is perfectly preserved. The impression is enhanced by the presence of ancient cast-iron cannons, witnesses of the military past of the fortress. The inner part is a labyrinth of narrow lanes adapted for trade, restaurants, eateries. Visible from observation decks italian island Sardinia.

The famous steep descent of 187 steps leading from one of the areas of Banifacio to the coastline is a unique man-made monument dating back to 1420. According to one version, the staircase was created by subjects of the King of Aragon. The soldiers of his army, deprived of a source of fresh water, coped with the task in one night. According to another version, the staircase carved right into the rock was created by the monks of the Franciscan order. The unique object is especially well visible from the sea, and allows you to imagine the grandeur of the work done.

Bonoparte Museum in Ajaccia

A museum of the great commander has been created in the family mansion of the Bonaparte family. Authentic interiors, furniture and artefacts give visitors the opportunity to experience the atmosphere in which Napoleon was born and raised. As emperor, he returned here only once in 1799, after the Egyptian company.

The exposition includes documents, weapons, clothing, insignia, awards, a diagram of the Bonaparte family tree and the emperor's death mask. The showcases contain attributes of the era of his reign: banknotes, coins, cards. You can explore the museum on your own with an audio guide.

Location: Rue Saint-Charles.

The exposition is made up of works of art that belonged to Cardinal Fesch. Throughout his life, Joseph Fesch, a close relative of Napoleon, collected paintings by famous artists with historical and religious subjects. As a result, his collection is second in number and importance only to the Louvre collection.

Visitors can see works by Botticelli, Titian, Bellini, Veronese, Lorenze de Credi. Along with the main one, there are temporary exhibition halls and an exhibition of the Corsican school of painting. The museum building houses a functioning library. The funeral chapel of the Bonaparte family clan is available to visitors.

Location: 50-52 Rue Cardinal Fesch, Ajaccio.

Beach holidays in Corsica are the most developed area of ​​the island's tourism industry. This is due to the unique natural features and good ecology of the coast. Palombaggia beach is characterized by a combination of sandy coastal zone, surrounded by beautiful scenery and developed infrastructure.

Huge sprawling pines grow along the line with golden sand, under the crowns of which it is comfortable to rest even in the hottest hours. The landscape is complemented by red rocks and the calm rhythm of the sea. Here you can practice all kinds of water sports. Excursion boats run from Palombaggio to Porto Vecchio and the marine reserves.

There is a wild beach in the area of ​​the ecological park, on the shore of Rokkapina Bay. He is famous for his white sandy shore and gentle slope to the sea. Coastline surrounded by mountainous hills covered with dense forest.

Silhouettes of rocks of a bizarre shape are called the Lion of Roccapin. At the top is watch tower XVI century, which offers panoramic views of the ocean and the nearby Italian island of Sardinia. Despite the lack of infrastructure, the place is popular with beach lovers. Camping Arepos-Rakkapin is located nearby. The nearest cities to the bay are Propriano and Bonifacio.

Thinking about the question of where to go on vacation or vacation? Consider traveling to the island of Corsica. This natural beauty, the smell of mediterranean herbs, sea ​​bays and luxurious beaches. Fans of historical sights will know medieval fortresses. Active tourists go to hiking over the mountains or practice in aquatic activities sports. What else is remarkable about the region?

What is the most convenient way to get there?

Ferries to Corsica

From France:

From the ports of Toulon, Marseille and Nice, ferries of the companies CORSICA FERRIES, La Meridionale and SNCM run daily to Corsica. Travel time: 10-12 hours. High-speed SNCM NGV ferries from Nice or Marseille will deliver to the island in just 3-4 hours.

http://www.corsica-ferries.fr

http://www.sncm.fr

http://www.lameridionale.fr

From Italy:

Sea communication with Livorno, Genoa, Savona, Santa Teresa Gallura and Naples is provided by the ferries of the carriers "MOBY LINES" and "SAREMAR".

http://www.mobylines.com/

http://www.saremar.it

Airports

There are 4 airports in Corsica: Campo del Oro, built 8 km from Ajaccio, Figari (25 km from Porto Vecchio) Calvi Saint Catherine and Bastia Poretta, located near the same name cities. Flights are operated by AIR FRANCE, CCM AIRLINES, LUXAIR and BRITISH AIRWAYS.

Climate and weather

The climate of Corsica is perfect for holidays from the beginning of May until October. This is the period of summer weather.

In the winter season, the air temperature is kept within 14-18 degrees Celsius. In the summer, from about April, the temperature rises to 27 degrees Celsius, on hot days - up to 35.

May and October are suitable for active exploration of the island. To soak up the warmth sea ​​water, it is better to choose July, August or early September for a holiday. You can swim in the sheltered bays from the end of May.

A bit of history

In ancient times, two major powers wanted to take possession of Corsica at once - Rome and Carthage. In the Middle Ages, the right to Corsica was disputed by the well-known at that time Italian cities Vatican, Pisa and Genoa.

In the end, at the behest of the Vatican, in 1077, Pisa begins to rule Corsica, although after a while the right passes to the city of Genoa.

Corsica has been considered part of France since 1789. It was on this island that Napoleon I, known to the whole world, was born. Already at the end of the 20th century, the movement for independence again gained strength in Corsica.

Locals say that they are, first of all, Corsicans and only then French. After all, they became French only 200 years ago, and the history of the island itself has more than 4,000 years.

Attractions of Corsica - what the island is famous for

The most touristic and lively cities of the island are Ajaccio, where Bonaparte was born, Calvi, where Christopher Columbus was born, Bastia, strewn with old churches, and Bonifacio, where Odysseus allegedly visited.

The entire history of Corsica is carved in stone. Since the defense of the island by the Genoese, many fortresses have been preserved. The most famous are the citadels of Bonifacio, Bastia, the fortresses of Algaiola and Saint-Florent.

It is worth looking into the villages lost in the mountains, two of which, Piana Corse-du-Sud And Sant'Antonino Haute Corse, entered the Association of the most beautiful villages in France. And don't forget about the area Acriate with lunar landscape.

Upper Corsica - fertile land

old town Bastia famous for the majestic Place Saint-Nicolas and Baroque churches.

fertile valley Nebbio, spreading to the west, is popular for honey, chestnuts and wine, and balagne known as the "Land of Butter and Bread".

On the hills Patrimonio make fine muscat wines and olive oil.

In the northeast, a 17-kilometer strip Costa Verde great for a relaxing family holiday due to the abundance of greenery and fine sand on the beaches.

mountain range castannici with chestnut forests hides picturesque villages, attracting hikers.

A little to the south, a small village slumbers peacefully Aleria. Not far from it you can see the attraction - a Roman settlement. Museums testify to the times when Aleria was the center of the island.

Southern Corsica - Wilderness

North of Porto, famous for its granite shores glowing in the sunset glow, is the Calanque National Park. Fanciful pink-orange rocks rise here, breathtaking in their grandeur.

By sea you can reach the reserve Scandola known for its unique ecosystem.

bays Sagona And Cargez attract with magnificent beaches and greenery of pine forests.

From Ajaccio- main tourist center and the capitals - take a walk to the Sangin Islands to admire the spectacle of a crimson sunset.

In the very south, wild landscapes with rocks and poppies are combined with numerous picturesque towns.

Archaeological sites and monuments testify to the early human settlement of this area. The Alta Rocca massif hides the sites of prehistoric man and two of the most famous archaeological sites in Corsica - Kukuruzu And capula .

On the edge of a sheer cliff huddle breathtaking houses Bonifacio. And the third largest city of the island - Porto-Vecchio - will not let even young people get bored on vacation.

An ancient citadel in the center of Porto-Vecchio, mountains and greenery, excellent beaches - this region is worth exploring on foot and by car.

Corsican Center

Heart of Corsica and historical Center 19th century - city Korte. The central part of the island is mountainous, with an abundance of lakes and streams.

You can kayak down a mountain river, fish for trout or take a walk in nature park among oaks and chestnuts.

beach holiday

The best beaches of Corsica are located around Ajaccio, Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio. The wild Capo di Feno is loved by surfers. Surrounded by forests, Saleccia is located on the territory of the reserve, and the snow-white Barcaggio is famous for its excellent panoramic views.

Hiking in the mountains - route G20

The island has over 20 mountain peaks. Their height sometimes exceeds 2000 meters above sea level. Climbers or mountain tourists can try their hand here.

Route GR20 is the most popular mountain paths. It is 20 kilometers long, starting at Calenzana and ending at Conca.

Overcoming this route will take 15 days. Description of all stages: http://www.le-gr20.com/fr/etape. Only a few of the travelers complete the 180-kilometer journey.

This scenic route, crossing the whole of Corsica, allows you to visit the upper reaches of the Taravo Valley, pass through the miniature lakes of Bastelica, climb Monte Rinoso, walk through the forests of Verde and Vizzavona and go down to the sea.

Transport

What about those who prefer to travel around Corsica by trains and buses?

Calvi, Bastia and Ajaccio are connected by the CFC railway line, which allows you to travel from Ajaccio to Bastia, and the Balagne, leading from the Ponte Leccia station to the Calvi railway station. The train schedule is easy to find on the website http://cf-corse.fr. Tickets are sold at the railway station ticket offices or vending machines.

Buses in Corsica run according to the schedule indicated on http://www.corsicabus.org/. Depending on the distance, the ticket price ranges from 4 to 22 €.

Unfortunately, buses run infrequently, especially in small towns. Therefore, the presence of a car will allow you to explore wild corners without being tied to a transport schedule.

For those wishing to rent a car, Avis, Rentacar, Budget, Hertz and Europcar work here. The attention of those who drive a rented car from the mainland - not all companies allow the import of a car to the island. Often mainland insurance is not valid on the island.

Bicycle rental is also popular at http://www.velo-corse.com/

Cuisine and restaurants - what and where to gourmet

Perhaps the chestnut can be called the basis of Corsican cuisine. The people of Corsica are able to make everything out of it: bread, pancakes and various desserts are baked from chestnut flour. The fruit itself is used to make local beer or liqueurs, and can be served as a side dish for meat.

Cheeses, sausages and meats

Most cheeses are made from the milk of goats and sheep. - soft and fresh cheese, made from sheep's or goat's milk - is added to almost all local dishes.

Corsican sausages are distinguished by their aroma and spiciness. Farm products are very popular in the summer season: dried ham prisuttu, cured pork meat coppa, pork fillet with spices lonzu, juicy liver sausage figatellu.

Main dishes

The local menu is rich in various types of meat, especially pork. Among traditional dishes- pork ragout tianu, roast goat or lamb, aromatic stew stuffatu served with pasta.

The restaurant will also offer game - more often wild boar or duck.

Pasta, a legacy of Italian rule, has firmly taken its place in Corsican cuisine. Pasta is cooked in various types: ravioli and cannelloni with , lasagne with wild boar, sciutta pasta with lobsters. An obligatory ingredient is olive oil or tomatoes.

An islander's meal is not complete without another important dish - the traditional soup, which is cooked with beans, meat and lard and seasoned with herbs and spices.

Fish and seafood

Of course, the Mediterranean menu is rich in fish and seafood: fried red mullet, stuffed sardines and aziminu- Corsican variety bouillabaisse.

Desserts and honey

For dessert, they usually treat themselves to fruits - delicious tangerines and oranges grow in the region. From culinary delights - sweet pancakes fritelli, walnut cake cake or dry pies canistrelli.

On holidays, chestnut pies are baked. In the north are served pastizzu and lemon pie fiadone stuffed with brocciu cheese.

Six types of fragrant honey are extracted from fragrant flowers.

Wines and aperitifs

Favorable climate, rocky soils and the preservation of traditional grape varieties characterize winemaking in this region.

The AOC certificate awarded nine local varieties of wines. We single out four main appellations:

1. Corsican wines (AOC vins-de-corse) are the main appellation.
2. Ajaccio (AOC ajaccio) combines wines produced in the vicinity of the city of the same name. These are excellent Sciacarello red wines, as well as rosés and whites.
3. Patrimonio (AOC patrimonio) is famous for the highest quality wines, but their price is also above average
4. Cap Corse (AOC muscat-du-cap-corse) is known for soft Muscat wines.

Local liqueurs and tinctures smell of aromatic herbs, chestnut, walnut, orange and other fruits. Here they drink pastis Dami And mannari, cafes often serve Casanis.

chestnut beer is another local feature. The Pietra brewery offers three types of chestnut beers of 5-6% strength - Pietra, Serena and Colomba.

Restaurants

Grand Cafe is considered one of the colorful restaurants. "Napoleon" in Ajaccio. Try Corsican wines and foie gras ravioli at A Funtana wine cellar, and "Le Gregale" on the beach of Bonifacio - lobster according to an old Mediterranean recipe. IN "L'Abri Cottier"(Calvi) the best sommelier in Corsica works, and "And Scalini" in Balan is known for its unforgettable views.

Where to stay

by the most interesting cities are the harbors of Bastia, Bonifacio and Ajaccio, outlining the edges of the island like marks on a watch dial.

Bastia

Expensive hotels in the business center of the city are located along the road to Cap Corse, and cheaper hotels are located near Place Saint-Nicolas.

The most popular hotels among tourists are the 3* Hotel L’Alivi, located on Rte du Cap, Ville Pietrabugno, Posta-Vecchis, operating in the Old Port, and Hotel Central (3 rue Miot).

In the suburbs of Miomo there are inexpensive campsites.

Bonifacio

Guests of the port settlement, founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, can stay in hotels, villas or rent apartments.

The average price of a night at Hôtel E Tre Stelle (Lieu Dit Cavallo Morto) and Best Western Hotel du Roy d'Aragon (13, Quai Comparetti) is about 130 USD.

The cost of living in villas varies from 100 to 450 USD per day, and in apartments - from 75 to 150 USD.

Ajaccio

Travelers visiting the capital choose between hotels, apartments, apart-hotels or villas.

The cost of living in 3 * hotels "Napoleon" (4 Rue Lorenzo-Vero) and "Residence de Tourisme Ajaccio Amirauté" (20 boulevard Georges Pompidou) ranges from 80 to 150 USD.

You can rent an apartment from 60 USD per night, and a villa - from 150 USD. It is recommended to book rooms for August-September in advance.

* And finally - a video tour for those who are better off seeing once than reading for a long time 🙂

Have a nice trip!

It is also the main city of the canton of Calvi, the canton includes another commune - Lumio. It is also the capital of the Calvi district, which, in addition to the canton of Calvi, includes three more cantons: Belgodere, L "Ile-Rus and Calenzana. This district is the smallest in Corsica, but the city itself is the 5th largest commune. Population - 5 thousands of people.

It is located on the northwest coast of the island of Corsica, 95 km from Bastia and 24 km from Lʻile Rousse. This town lies on a rock overlooking the bay of the same name. It has a safe harbor, which is considered the closest Corsican harbor to France.

Founded by the Genoese in 1268, until the 18th century it was part of the Republic of Genoa.

Calvi is called the most "Genoese" city of Corsica. Devotion to Genoa was expressed in the ancient motto of the city - " Civitas Calvi semper tidelis", which means: " The city of Calvi is always faithful",

According to legend, the city is the birthplace Christopher Columbus. He allegedly hid this fact, since Corsica was notorious because of the frequent anti-government protests of the inhabitants.

Six more cities in Italy and Spain claim the right to be the birthplace of Columbus, but none of them can provide clear evidence of this fact.

However, many residents of Calvi and other Corsicans believe that the great traveler was born here. In 1992, when the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America was celebrated, a monument to Columbus was erected in the city.

Faithful to Genoa, the city has always fought against the French conquerors and constantly repulsed the attacks of the natives expelled into the mountains.

Dramatic events unfolded here at the very end of the 18th century, when Pascal Paoli- a fighter for the freedom of Corsica - with the help of the British, he tried to establish the independence of the island.

In 1794, the English fleet, led by Admiral Nelson besieged the fortress of Calvi. On July 10, a cannonball hit Nelson's battery, fragments and stones hit him in the chest and face, depriving his right eye of sight. British troops captured the city on 10 August. England did not at all seek to grant independence to Corsica.

Paoli did not even manage to become president of the parliament created in Bastia. After a while, the island again went to France.

Sights in Calvi

The main attraction of Calvi is the Genoese citadel of the XIII century.

The citadel keeps traces of artillery shells fired at it in 1794 by an English squadron.

It is only partially open to the public, as the barracks of the parachute regiment of the French Foreign Legion are located there.

Inside the walls of the citadel are high 5-6-story buildings in the Genoese style,

intricate network of lanes around the Cathedral of Saint Jean Baptiste (XVI).

A church already existed on the site of the cathedral in the 13th century, but it was destroyed by the Turks in 1533.

From the towers opens beautiful view to the town and surrounding sandy beaches.

In the city itself there are many pedestrian streets with old houses, the skeleton of the Columbus house, destroyed by the troops of Admiral Nelson, has been preserved. IN

the trading part of the city, outside the fortress, is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (1774).

Economy of Calvi for the most part relies on summer tourism, which began to develop in 1950. At the height of the season, there are ten tourists per local! St. Catherine's International Airport and Port. Xavier's Columns provide convenient access for many tourists.

Three annual events support Calvi's tourist popularity. This is, first of all, the wind festival, which is held in the third decade of October. Here gather lovers of everything that the wind sets in motion; balloons, yachts, kites, hang gliders. In the summer, during the tourist season, the Citadel Festival takes place, and in September, the Polyphonic Music Festival.

Tourists are attracted by the iridescent turquoise water of the bay and majestic mountain Cento. nearest beach here - a four-kilometer Calvi, and a little further, towards the island of Russ - the beaches of Algajola and Santambrogio.

There is a bus from Bastia to Calvi (2 hours, 20 €), from Ajaccio you can take a train that goes through endless tunnels.

There are also ferries from Nice and Marseille.

Excursion cruises depart from Calvi along the coast of Corsica. Ships go to the very south of the island - to Bonifacio.

Photos of Calve