I was so excited to write about a Road Trip in Corsica. For those who know me very well must know how much I love the island of beauty for two main reasons. First because I have lived there for 5 years and, secondly and undoubtedly the most important, because a part of my life is still there. Indeed, I am the happy father of a superb child made with a pretty woman from this island. Andre-Paul is 10 years old today and he still lives there...
So completely un-objective, it will not be writing the following lines.
Olivia will take over in pairs with her little brother, promising not to fill your suitcase with figatellu and canistrelli, but leaving that to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler she said. Oops!
On the program, great food, a relaxing atmosphere and an exceptional setting to chill. Corsica as you have never seen it.
It was important for me to play a contrast card for this road trip. I know Corsica very well too, but I will not say that I lived like Michael. Three legendary addresses: Calvi, Porto Vecchio via Corte. Already known will you tell me? – Certainly – but we ride in Smart Fortwo EQ. Yes, in Full Electric, easy. Corsica has more than 100 charging stations across the island. So, even with two and on the twisty roads of Corsica, we have plenty to see coming…
3 CITIES / 8 DAYS
NEAR. 182 MILES
DAY 1
NEARLY 56 MILES – NEAR. 1H40
FROM BASTIA TO CALVI
First thing to do, download the Smart EQ control application which allows you to consult the parameters of the car remotely, to program the load and to initiate a pre-conditioning. The Smart Electric has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 17.6 kWh. Located under the floor, it is made up of 96 cells to avoid affecting habitability. Regarding autonomy, precisely, difficult to see clearly, but the WLTP cycle supposed to be more realistic reduces the autonomy in 2020 between 73 and 83 miles depending on the versions. We take the road in the direction of Calvi for 3 days on site. After 2 hours and 50 miles of driving through St Florent gateway we arrive to the incredible Agriates desert with a breathtaking view of the mountain looking towards the azure sea. Special mention for the excellent capacity of the vehicle and I let you imagine everything without noise. The whole is well balanced.
Where to Sleep at Calvi?
In Calvi, La Signoria is an old Genoese building from the 18th century, located at the foot of the Corsican mountains. Explore this paradise of trees and fountains… Continue Reading
DAY 2 & DAY 3
expore the balagne
CALVI
Two days to enjoy Calvi and discover and explore Balagne. This fertile and hilly region, nicknamed “the garden of Corsica”, stretches between the coast and the mountains.
Route de Calenzana 20260 Calvi – France
Scattered in the landscape, many small fortified villages sit on the top of the hill. With this recharging point located in Calvi, you can easily alternate a stroll on foot and visit fortified villages scattered throughout the landscape, which are enthroned on the heights.
It is impossible to be in Calvi without taking a tour to its citadel, symbol of the Corsican city. My advice? Finishing with a short tour of the ramparts with a breathtaking view over the bay or a concert of polyphonic songs in the cathedral for purists. While the sunset, head to the end of the world for dinner while hoping see the green ray. Feet in the sand, this gourmet restaurant seduces with its subtly iodized menu. My advice? linguine with lobster. We finish this day with a last drink at Tao’s. This club with Seventies ambiance has welcomed for years a curious population about good Corsican music, but not only.
We start the day with a stopover at the aptly named Le Brunch. This restaurant with Iberian influences which offers Spanish pancakes, crunchy raw vegetables, fried eggs, brioche toast in the morning… All accompanied by squeezed orange juice and black coffee. For a last dinner in Balagne, A Piazzetta finishes convincing us for its low key atmosphere. Combining Niolu cured meats, spider cakes with sea spider but also Tiramisu with Canistrelli, the place is set on a charming courtyard populated by olive trees.
DAY 4
NEARLY 52 MILES – NEAR. 1H14
CORTE
Corte was the former capital of Corsica, when it was independent. Headquarters of the Palazzu Naziunale under Pascal Paoli, it also housed a university. The view of Corte is breathtaking as you descend towards the entrance to the city.
The rocky outcrop was the nucleus of the city founded in 1419 by a Corsican lord Vincentello of Istria. Today the building, a former barracks, is part of the Museum of Corsica. The city develops at the foot of the citadel and today reaches the plain of Tavignano, a river which descends on the eastern plain.
Where to eat at Corte?
A perfect place to eat on the go, at the same time a Dulcis tea room highlights in the window specialties with chestnut flour and other very fragrant pies… Continue Reading
24 Avenue du Neuf Septembre
20250 Corte –
France
FROM CORTE TO PORTO VECCHIO
The Smart EQ is very pleasant to drive. Nervous, devoid of transmission and therefore of jerking acceleration, it proves to be unbeatable in its chosen field. Her ability to turn around and park in a pocket handkerchief always makes her a standout champion of the urban jungle, even here in Corte. The seats are however too firm and the suspensions dry.
DAY 4 x 1
NEARLY 74 MILES – NEAR. 1H45
Here we are in Porto-Vecchio, the suspended citadel and its bastions, stands at the top of the tourist towns on the island. The ancient City of salt, caught up in insatiable tourism, does not forget its history, its traditions, its beliefs… A memory open to its time, like an authentic city that can be tasted year round. Because alongside the sweet delusions of summer, the hinterland as the mountain offer less exposed riches. Art of living, places and crossed portraits invite us to take the maquis for Porto-Vecchio.
For a gourmet break?
Definitely the place where you have to be far very far from the crowd… Continue Reading
The sandy beaches surround the city. To the north, going up towards Bastia, Pinarello is a large beach lined with pine trees. It is also one of the main departure points for the Lavezzi archipelago. That of Saint-Cyprien is punctuated by a Genoese tower and opens, in the distance, onto the Bavella massif.
Closer to town, there are those of Cala Rossa and Golfo di Sogno. To the south, going towards Bonifacio, the legendary Palombaggia beach, framed by red rocks and white dunes, connects three coves which follow one another, and unfolds a vast panorama on the Cerbicale Islands.
Santa Giulia, and its turquoise lagoon, continues the road to the beaches and continues until Rondinara. Long stretches of fine sand that have nothing to envy to the most beautiful beaches at the end of the world
Installation for 4 nights in this address nestled on Airbnb in a sublime setting, overlooking the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio. The indoor pool and spa, spaces dedicated to well-being, invite you to free your body and mind. In fine weather, we have lunch on the terrace under the umbrella pines.
The best Airbnb Plus in Porto Vecchio
Being in an intimate relationship with nature is always driven by great architectural humility… Continue Reading
Our journey ends here, in a few hours, it is a return to reality. Before that, we take advantage of a last pleasure aboard a 7.50-meter semi-rigid, helmed by a passionate skipper, this sea trip explores the most beautiful coves of the far south, accessible only by boat. The opportunity to indulge in moments of swimming in turquoise waters and idleness on the deckchairs of the boat.
Finally, no, we stay here!
