Stretching from Ile Rousse to Calvi along the coast and incorporating the mountains behind, La Balagne is often referred to as the garden of Corsica, with its olive groves and orchards. Sandy coves and villages dotted along the coast are back by mountains, snow capped by early summer and the area has a pace of life all its own.

Things To See & Do in La Balagne

If you don't mind the climb to the top through cobbled street and narrow alleyways, a visit to Calvi Citadel is a must during your visit
Take a boat trip from Calvi to the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where red granite cliffs plunge dramatically into the sea
Explore the narrow street of the oldest inhabited villages in Corsica, Sant'Antonino, labelled as "one of the most beautiful villages in France."
Visit the pretty blue shuttered village of Pigna, home to some fabulous craft shops and home to the Festivoce, a festival of Corsican polyphony
Follow the craft trail "Strada di l'Artigiani" through the villages of La Balagne and sample the specialities enroute

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La Balagne Region Map

Calvi

In any competition for the most dramatically sited of Corsican seaside towns, Calvi would be hard to beat. Imagine the perfect 'picture postcard' Mediterranean scene, a colourful array of buildings and cobbled street climbing up to a Genoese Citadel. Calvi has miles of sandy beaches stretching around the bay under the shade of pine trees and during the height of summer, the town comes alive at night time, with an array of quayside cafes and restaurants lining the promenade Quai Landry, which links the marina and the port.

A busy port during the Roman era, Calvi takes its name from the Calvus - 'bald' rock that would come to form the foundations of the Citadel. Standing proud on the headland, the thirteenth century fortress remains a remarkable example of architecture and cultural heritage. It is also reputedly the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, born during the Genoese occupation of the town and the remains of his house can still be seen today, commemorated by a plaque in the Citadel and statues scattered throughout the town.

The Citadel is a magnificent backdrop to the red tiled town below. A visit to this thirteenth century fortress is a must for any visitor. Within the walls, tightly packed houses line the cobbled streets, overlooked by the Cathèdrale Saint Jean-Baptiste, which stands at the highest point of the Citadel where the views across the bay and towards the mountains of the Balagne are reward enough for the climb to the top. Every week here there are concerts of 'chansons polyphoniques' - traditional Corsican polyphonic singing. In fact, during the last decade Calvi has sought to reinvent itself as capital of culture, playing host to many festivals during the summer including the 'Jazz Festival' in June and 'Calvi on the Rocks' in July.

Lumio

Around ten kilometres from Calvi is the pretty village of Lumio. A popular holiday destination for French footballers, supermodels, journalists and artists, the village is set in a truly privileged position, perched on the sun drenched hillside with truly outstanding views over the bay. Below the village, just a short drive away, are some of the prettiest beaches on the north coast.

Algajola

Further along the coast is Algajola, a sleepy village, which is an ideal place to relax, unwind and dodge the crowds. Even in the height of summer Algajola remains calm and tranquil and wondering around the streets and passageways is a real treasure.

Marine de Davia

Marine de Davia is an exclusive private estate of luxury villas, just four kilometres from the town of Ile Rousse. With several fine sandy beaches, many houses are situated with direct access to the sea or 'pied dans l'eau' as the French would say.

Ile Rousse

Ile Rousse is a pretty port with an offshore islet which steals colour from the setting sun. Endless games of petanque are played in the village square, shaded by the plane trees. With three beaches in close proximity, waters ports, cafes and bustling market, Ile Rousse is ideal for a relaxing family holiday. A great way to explore this area is on the rattling 'U Tringhellu' train, which runs all the way along the coast from Calvi to Ile Rousse.

The Haute Balagne

Venture inland to the verdant Haute Balagne for a taste of real Corsica. Picturesque fortress villages, many up to 1000 years old, make up an idyllic Mediterranean landscape of olive groves and Baroque churches backed by a dramatic mountainscapes.

Among these, Calenzana is the largest village in the Haute Balagne and overlooks some of the most fertile land on the island and is the trailhead for the famous GR20 walking trail. Sant'Antonino must be the prettiest and highest village in the Balagne, with rustic cobbled streets and breathtaking panoramic views.