Corte
Corte is a charming city nestled in the mountainous heart of Corsica, situated about 70 kilometers southwest of Bastia and 80 kilometers northeast of Ajaccio. Conveniently located on the main road that connects Bastia and Ajaccio, Corte is just a 1.5-hour drive from either city. Its central position makes it an ideal base for exploring renowned nearby attractions, such as the Restonica Gorges, Bastia or Calvi.
The city is renowned for its stunning 15th-century citadel and the beautiful gorges that surround it. While Corte is the only major town in Corsica that isn’t located by the sea, visitors can still enjoy swimming in the refreshing mountain streams nearby. Both Corte and its scenic surroundings are popular destinations for tourists seeking natural beauty and historic charm.
Weather in Corte:
Corte travel guide
Nestled in the heart of Corsica, Corte once served as the capital of the island’s independent nation in the mid-18th century. Today, it retains the distinct imprint of its former grandeur with a remarkable intensity. As a historic and university town, Corte is centered around its Citadel, which majestically overlooks the dramatic valleys of the Restonica and Tavignano. Positioned between a granite massif to the west and a schist alpine belt to the east, Corte stands as a natural stronghold bridging the island’s diverse landscapes. The surrounding mountain environment offers a rich tapestry of experiences for explorers. Since 1997, Corte has been home to the Regional Anthropology Museum of Corsica, a custodian of the island’s cultural and historical heritage.
Getting to Corte:
By train:
Corte is also connected to Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi via the Chemin de fer de la Corse (Corsican Railway) and is served by trains running between Ajaccio and Calvi, and Ajaccio and Bastia. Read more…
By car:
The national roads in Corte run from Ajaccio and Bastia. The most scenic route by car to Corte is the D84 from Porto, which follows the Spelunca Gorge and crosses the Col de Vergio to reach Castirla a few kilometres north of the city, passing through a very wide range of scenery.
Street parking in Corte – payable only Monday to Friday except public holidays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Price from 0,50 € / 20 min till 4,50 € / 8 hours (each hour +0.5 €).
Parking is free on Weekend and holidays.
To See:
Although Corte is a fairly large town, most of the buildings here are recent additions, such as apartment buildings and university buildings, which offer little interest to visitors: the main historic centre is really quite small, little more than the size of a village, and will not take much time to explore.
Corte Attractions
Corte Citadel
The most dominant monument in Corte is the citadel, built in 1419 and located on top of a large rocky promontory in the centre of the town above the confluence of the Restonica, Orta and Tavigna rivers. It is a good place to start your walk around Corte, and is easily reached via narrow streets up the hill through the centre of the upper town.
The Corsica Museum is located in the citadel and explains the history of Corsica. Also in the citadel is the Museum of Art and History with a collection of Italian paintings donated to the city by Cardinal Fesch.
Note: The best place to see the citadel is from the belvedere just south of the citadel itself. From the belvedere you also have a wide view of the river valleys and mountains, as well as the rooftops of Corte.
Place Gaffory
Just below the belvedere around Place Gaffory you can see some of Corte’s most interesting buildings, including the Church of the Annunciation and an oratory dating from the 15th century (though the church has been significantly altered since then), and the house where Charles Bonaparte, a fighter in the Corsican independence movement, once lived.
Across from the church stands a statue of Jean-Pierre Gaffory, a Corsican resistance leader predating Pascal Paoli. Behind the statue is the Maison Gaffory, notable for its façade scarred with bullet holes from an early independence struggle against the Genoese.
Adjacent to Place Gaffory, you’ll find a quaint, brightly painted shop that boasts of being Europe’s oldest food store, operating since 1800.
Instead of heading directly into the city center, take a leisurely walk along Rue du Colonel Feracci to the modest Chapel of Sainte-Croix. While its exterior is unassuming, the interior is adorned with exquisite 17th-century paintings, including a strikingly painted ceiling and altar wall, gifts from Cardinal Fesch.
From the chapel, you can ascend the steep street to Cours Paoli and Piazza Paoli, the bustling heart of Corte, where you’ll discover a variety of restaurants and shops.
Corte main sights:
- Paoli square
- Holy Cross chapel
- The 4 cannon’s fountain
- Poilu’s (WWI’s trench warfare French soldier) square
- Palazzu Naziunale and Padoue barracks
- The Belvedere: which provides an exceptional panorama over Tavignanu and Restonica valleys
- “Sentier du Patrimoine” (Memorial Path) of Corte
- The Annunciation church
- Gaffory square
- Saint Teophile square
- The Citadel and the Museum of Corsica
- Saint-John church and baptistery
- Tavignanu gorges
- Restonica valley
- Melu and Capitellu lakes
Corte tourist map:
Corte Walking Tour:
The “Heritage Trails”, an initiative of the Corsican Environment Office, are intended to offer an encounter rich in emotions, with restored elements that forge a memory of the places and which are emblematic of the know-how of our ancestors: walls, cobblestones, dry stone steps but also fountains, wash houses, mill ovens…
Eating in Corte
Corte invites you to taste its delicious specialties :
- On the savory side : the Migliacci or the Frittelle Curtinese (made of fresh cheese)
- On the sweet side : the Falculella or the Fiadone (made of brocciu).
The regions of central Corsica are very famous for knowing how to offer fine gourmets products of very high quality.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Corsica are usually open only for lunch (12-14h) and dinner (from 19h). At other times, you can try to grab a bite from the bakeries.
- Paglia Orba, 5 Faubourg St Antoine, ☏ +33 4 95 34 47 21. Mon-Sat 12:00–14:00, 19:00–23:00. Large portions of delicious Corsican food. Friendly service and a nice view.
- Read More – Best Corte restaurants
Around Corte
During your visit to Corte, be sure to explore the stunning surrounding countryside, which offers numerous trails and scenic spots. The Corsican Regional Nature Park office, located in the citadel, has information on all levels of hiking in the region.
Two of the most popular attractions are the valleys to the south and west of Corte:
- Gorges de la Restonica: Accessible by car, with scenic hikes leading to Lake Melo and Lake Capitello. The shuttles of the Restonica Valley are managed from 2024 by the Collectivité de Corse. Return fare: €4 (free for children under 8). Timetable.
- Gorges du Tavignano: Reachable only by foot, this picturesque gorge offers various opportunities for river swimming.
The most scenic route from the coast to Corte is the D84 road from Porto, which follows the Spelunca Gorge and crosses the Col de Verde to reach Castirla, just a few kilometers north of Corte. This route traverses a wide range of landscapes and is often frequented by cows, semi-wild pigs, and goats that enjoy lounging on the road!
Bus to Col de Vergio GR20:
2 buses per day from Corto train station (8:30, 13:30) and back (10:30, 15:00). Reservation is needed ([email protected]).
Fares:
- Corte -> Calacuccia : 15€
- Corte -> Albertacce : 15€
- Corte -> Castel di Vergio : 20€
- Corte -> Col de Vergio : 20€
For more travel ideas, consult a Corsica travel guide.
Cotrte on the map of Corsica:
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