Corte

Visit Corte, Corsica

Corte is a town in the mountainous heart of Corsica, approximately 50 kilometres south of Bastia. Both the town itself and the surrounding countryside are very popular with visitors - although Corte is, of course, almost the only substantial town in Corsica to be a long way from a beach!

Exploring Corte, Corsica

The most visited monument in Corte is the citadel, built in 1419 and perched improbably on top of a large rocky promontory in the centre of the town above the confluence of the Restonica and Tavignana rivers, and reached by following the narrow streets up the hill through the centre of the upper town.

There is also a viewing platform from which the best views of the citadel are found, along with the best views of the mountains and countryside that surround Corte, although the citadel is an imposing sight from many places in the town.

The Museum of Corsica in Corte is also at the citadel (entry charge included with access to the citadel) and explains the history of Corsica.

Back down in Corte itself, start your explorations at Place Paoli and the statue of Paoli himself - Paoli is generally considered the founder of modern Corsica, having introduced democracy to the nation in the middle of the 18th century. other notable highlights include the Palais National, the church of the Annonciation, and the Tavignano region.

Around the centre of the upper town there are lots of streets and alleys to explore lined with tall interesting buildings squeezed together along the narrow steep alleys, and small open squares to discover - most of these run off the main 'high street' that runs through the centre of Corte. The lower town contains more commerces and recent buildings.

Other information

The University of Corsica is also based at Corte, which has 2,500 students in a total population of less than 7,000 and helps ensure the town is lively for most of the year.

While at Corte, do make sure you get out into the magnificent surrounding countryside - numerous trails and scenic opportunities are close to hand The D936 follows the Gorges de la Restonica south from the town, and is easily accessible for non-walkers, while a more challenging trail heads west from town (on foot) towards the Gorges du Tavignano.

See also Corte Corsica

Tourist classifications for Corte: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Corte, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Bastia 51km; Ajaccio 54km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Corte

Corte tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de San Michele (Castirla) - religious monument (7km) : Eglise de Santa Maria Assunta (Favalello) - religious monument (10km) : Chapel San Nicolao (Sermano) - religious monument (10km) : Gorges de la Restonica - site of natural beauty (12km) : Lac de Melo - site of natural beauty (15km) : Lac de Nino - site of natural beauty (18km) : Corse - regional natural parc (20km) : Chapel de Santa Cristina (Valle-di-Campoloro) - religious monument (28km) :

French version: see Corte (Francais)