Une visite Citadelle Bastia ?
Bastia, the city at the crossroads of Haute-Corse.
Bastia, a city of art and history par excellence, is all too often considered as a simple gateway to Corsica.
Pourtant, autour du port se trouvent quelques merveilles de l’art Baroque Corse, mais aussi des places de vie , des ambiances festives sur le vieux port et dans les ruelles de la Terra Nova.
Bastia is really a city where life is good, where it is pleasant to wander around and let yourself go from discovery to discovery.
Genoese Bastia, between Terra Nova and Terra Vecchia
The development of the city of Bastia is closely linked to the Republic of Genoa. The latter had chosen it as a location for the governors of Corsica between the XIII and XVIII centuries. This is how the Citadel was built, called Terra Nova, in opposition to the old port, already present for the inhabitants of the village of Cardo and therefore called Terra Vecchia.
The city can be visited in several stages, starting with the upper town with its Governors' Palace and the architectural marvels of the many churches of Bastia. Then, as you go back down to the Old Port, a Mediterranean atmosphere awaits you as far as Place Saint Nicolas, the city's tourist hub. Take the time to visit Bastia, to walk around and discover all the adjoining alleys. This is where the heart of Bastia lies.
Une visite Citadelle Bastia
Une visite Citadelle Bastia
Bastia, crossroads of tourism
Spending time in Bastia also means taking the time to discover the roads that lead to regions that are highly symbolic of tourism in Upper Corsica. Thus, the Cap Corse in the North or the Conca d'Oru in the West are accessible in a few minutes after disembarking at the port.
Bastia is today a real cultural lung rich in festivals, events and theatrical performances that justify a few extra days during your stay.
What to do in Bastia?
- The Place Saint Nicolas, a meeting place for Bastians of all ages, allowing them to meet on the terraces, on the benches or to walk around,
- Rue Napoléon, a pedestrian street,
- La citadelle, built by a Genoese governor,
- The market square, which has retained its old-fashioned soul and regional flavours,
- The Church of St. John the Baptist, the largest in Corsica, built between 1636 and 1666,
- St Mary's Cathedral, with a silver statue of the Virgin Mary,
- The old port, which has retained all its authenticity,
- The Romieu Garden, descending in successive terraces to the sea,
- Le palais des gouverneurs, édifié en 1380
- Musée d’Ethnographie Corse
- The miniature village of St Anthony.
cathédrale Bastia
place saint nicolas à bastia
Bastia is a city where it is good to walk around and take your time. So what could be better than to take advantage of the city's beautiful terraces and have a drink or eat the best ice cream in Corsica at Raugi.
Visit Bastia: from idleness to extreme sport
More than a historical place, the city of Bastia will amaze you by the beauty of its landscapes and its multiple activities.
It is impossible to come to Bastia without taking a dip in the crystal clear blue water. Situated on the seaside, the town is full of beautiful beaches such as Grigione, a pebble beach situated two kilometres north of the town, not forgetting Miomo, Lavasina, Erbalunga, Arinella, Marana...
place saint nicolas à bastia
place saint nicolas à bastia
For those who like to go out at night, Bastia is indeed home to many discotheques with very different atmospheres, such as:
- Le Raffaello
- Le Pulp
The more athletic among you will find their happiness in :
- The practice of golf in the vicinity of the Marana beach. The landscape of Corsica in general and Bastia in particular is characterised by these cliffs.
- Water sports (sailing, catamaran and other board sports),
- Extreme sports are also present with climbing, via ferrata and quad biking.
- You can also go hiking or mountain biking.
For travellers who want more independence car hire in Bastia remains the best option. It allows you to discover the whole of Haute-Corse and to visit Bastia at your own pace.
To go further:
See our article on Visit Saint Florent.
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