Ajaccio in July brought a stifling heat, so I decided to avail myself of an afternoon lazing ‘in the cool’ – I headed in the direction the valley of Prunelli and Lake Tolla.
The 40-minute road journey was punctuated by exceptional views of Ajaccio, the chestnut groves and the blooming maquis, and villages such as Ocana with its famous essential oils, before the majestic arrival into the village of Tolla with its lake. The village itself is reason enough to leave the city: houses with slate roofs, cobbled streets and flowers, and always this breathtaking view over the wide expanse of water.
After parking my car, I made my way towards the lake on foot, taking the road winding between the houses.
Arriving at the lake’s nautical base, I decided to rent a pedal boat for two hours of relaxation! And here I was slipping across the lake’s glassy surface, in a silence that I particularly appreciated on this hot summer’s day. Only the laughter of a few children brought me occasionally back to reality.
I pedalled in the direction the gorges of the Prunelli Valley, with its rocks hanging dramatically off the mountainside. I could hear nothing but the lapping of water. After a short pause, I took the route back again, enjoying the landscape; the village viewed from below is an unusual sight.
Two paillottes welcome visitors for lunch or snacks (salads, grills, waffles), and there’s a wonderful ice cream parlour too, ‘A Piazzetta’, which is bursting with artisanal ice creams in numerous tempting flavours like canistrelli or blood orange.
Paddle, pedal boat, canoe and kayak rental
powered by cd-media.fr