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The best of spring in the Balagne: from Algajola to Galéria
Visit Calvi
Make the most of the quiet season to visit Calvi’s Genoese citadel, hiring an audioguide for a fascinating tour. The paved pedestrian streets will take you back in time – and this particular visit will whet your appetite for history! Afterwards, why not take a break on a restaurant terrace on the port, sipping a glass of local white wine with a plate of sea urchins?
Must sees
• The citadel and the Tour du Sel: Emblem of the city and the whole area, you’ll find yourself in the streets where Christopher Columbus was born. You’ll be able to admire the city of Calvi thanks to a 360-degree panorama from the top. You’ll fall under the charm of the small, Genoese-style houses and cobbled streets.
• The Saint-Antoine Oratory: During your visit to the citadel, make a stop at the Saint Antoine oratory, classified as a historical monument and home to the Saint Antoine Brotherhood.
• The Saint Jean-Baptiste Cathedral: Situated at the heart of the citadel, with some exceptional works of art
• The port on foot
• The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
• Notre Dame de la Serra: Located 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of town on the road to Porto, you can admire the most beautiful views from here
• The Pointe du Revellata and its lighthouse
villages
Continue your tour of the Balagne by visiting the Calvi hinterland and the hilltop villages.
Algajola, Lumio, Sant’Antonino
Algajola, ancient fortified village and seat of the former bishopric of Balagne.
Sant’Antonino is a must-see and deserves the label of ‘Plus Beau Village’ (Most Beautiful Village of France). Stroll along old-fashioned narrow streets, vaulted passageways and up to the medieval eagle’s nest where the inhabitants took refuge during barbarian invasions.
At Lumio, leave the car behind and climb to the hamlet of the village of Occi to explore the ruins of this magical site, from which you can admire a breathtaking view of the Balagne.
Moncale, Calenzana, Zilia, Montegrosso
The municipality of Calenzana covers an area of 1,800ha, ranking among the largest municipalities in France.
Many churches can be visited in the Balagne, mostly Baroque style. Calenzana’s Saint Blaise church, with its polychrome marble, is a good example of the richness of Corsican Baroque.
Also here is the first of the 15 stages of the famous GR20 which connects the village to the Ortu di u Piobbu refuge (almost 7 hours of walking and an ascent of 1,500m).
Venture into the depths of the Bonifato forest, a favourite spot for family hikes.
And don’t leave Calenzana without having tasted its famous cheese, made from goats’ or sheep’s milk.
In Zilia, make a stop at the Zilia Waters bottling plant.
Galéria, Manso
Located in a regional natural park, Galeria straddles the sea and the mountains. You can visit its Genoese tower, Casa Marina and Casa di Mare (House of the Sea).
On the Manso side, discover the Fango forest and its wonderful walks. An opportunity to enjoy the lovely scents of spring and the green surroundings.
spring events :
If you come during the pre-season, you can enjoy polyphonic concerts in the Balagne’s wonderful churches and take part in the processions that take place over the Easter weekend.
A core datu
Polyphonic singing is an integral part of the Intangible Heritage of the island, recognised by UNESCO.
A Core Dattu presents the opportunity to meet the singers of famous group A Filetta, who will tell you about the origins, formation and evolution of this musical tradition over the 90 minutes.
For dates, contact the tourist offices in Calvi or Ile-Rousse.
The Granitula
Follow the‘Granitula’, a spiralling procession on the eve of Good Friday. Accompanied bythe church brotherhood and the faithful, penitents make the tour of the city ofCalvi, beginning at the citadel and progressing from church to church, singingand spiralling in front of each forecourt in a seashell shape. On this occasion,the houses and streets are lit up by candles.
To find out more about Easter in Corsica click here
Sainte Restitude
SainteRestitude is a religious festival that takes place in Calenzana over a weekendin late May. On the programme are processions, craft stalls, animations,exhibitions, children’s workshops and a funfair.
Find the full program here
Want to visit the Balagne in the spring? Findout more on the Calvi Tourist Office website
Follow the
‘Granitula’, a spiralling procession on the eve of Good Friday. Accompanied by
the church brotherhood and the faithful, penitents make the tour of the city of
Calvi, beginning at the citadel and progressing from church to church, singing
and spiralling in front of each forecourt in a seashell shape. On this occasion,
the houses and streets are lit up by candles.
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out more about Easter in Corsica, click
