Balagne, Corsica's orchard

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Cateri, balagne

Dreaming of a beautiful holiday in Corsica? Go to Balagne.

Its landscapes attract many tourists, curious to discover mountains and bare landscapes. On the one hand, there's the Agriate desert, home to the marvellous white sand of Ostriconi beach, and on the other, the lush Fango valley, as well as a plethora of seaside resorts along the 40-kilometre coastline. Inland, small villages surrounded by orchards perpetuate Corsica's identity and charm.

Inhabited at least since ancient times, Balagne is a land of attractions and riches to visit during your stay, your hikes, your walks... From its tumultuous past of multiple occupations and redundant Catholic influence, a few 11th-century castle ruins remain, not to mention the fortified towns of Calvi and Algajola, founded by the Genoese in the 13th century. Numerous religious buildings - such as the Romanesque and Pisan churches of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul in Lumio or Trinité and San Giovanni in Aregno, for example - will tell you all about the past of this territory of Haute-Corse, freed from Saracen occupation in the 12th century. In the 16th century, new buildings were added to the landscape in the Italian Baroque style. As you make your way from villages to beaches, from Genoese bridges to citadels, don't forget to visit the region's obvious charm: its olive groves and the vast expanses of the island's regional nature park.

Where is this mysterious region of Corsica?

Located on Corsica's northwest coast, Balagne stretches from Ile-Rousse to Calvi, its main towns, and is bordered by the Monte Cinto massif (the island'shighest peak at 2,706 meters).

The region can be reached by air, with Calvi Sainte-Catherine airport linking it to numerous French and European destinations.

By sea, you can embark from Nice, Toulon or Marseille for the port of Ile Rousse.

In addition to a few rail links, the rest of Corsica is entirely accessible from the Balinese countryside, via 3 main roads. The D81 takes you down the west coast through a number of picturesque villages (Piana, Cargese, Calcatoggio...). The T20 skirts the gulfs of Calvi and Algajola, before descending to Corte through vineyards and wide-open spaces. The eastern section of the D81 takes you to the Saint-Florent region and its dream beaches.

Where to go in the Calvi region?


Between beaches, forests and mountains, the invitation of seaside resorts

Visit Ile Rousse, from the Genoese tower to the lighthouse, via Place Paoli and the Halles market - the ideal place to discover Corsican products. The atmosphere here is romantic, which is why the town is so popular with tourists. Nearby, Napoleon beach is the most famous and popular. But the town's two most beautiful beaches are further south: Bodri and Ghjunchitu are two true oases ! Another unique seaside spot on the outskirts of Ile Rousse is the Parc de Saleccia. In the heart of the Corsican maquis, it's packed with Mediterranean gardens to awaken all your senses.

Don't miss Calvi! The Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, built in the 13ᵉ century, and of course the fortress, are among Calvi's must-sees. The wide Pinède beach enjoys a family-friendly atmosphere with gentle slopes of fine sand. The beaches on the Revellata peninsula (Alga and Oscellucia) and at Argentella in Crovani Bay (20 km south of town) are also very pleasant.

Need some peace and quiet away from the crowds? Galeria is a small village located between Porto and Calvi. Here, time is an abstract notion. On the beach near the little port, laze between crystal-clear water, pebbles and graying sand. At the end of the day, the last glimmers of sunlight invite you to take a cruise to the Scandola reserve, to your great amazement. You'll also enjoy a trip up the Fango valley, a paradise for walkers in search of natural pools in which to cool off.

Monticello, Corsica in color
Monticello, Corsica in color
Calvi
Calvi
Pigna
Pigna

Villages of Santa Reparata di Balagna, Avapessa, Pigna... Ancestral tradition on a hillside

If the coastal part of Balagne is very popular, the area known as "Corsica'sthe orchard of Corsica"with its gardens, perched villages with narrow streets and fig trees, will also delight those of you in search of authenticity. Many artisans have settled here to perpetuate Corsican traditions. Take the Route des Artisans"is an opportunity to discover centuries-old traditions and local know-how.

Visit GR20... hikers are well acquainted with this famous trail, which crosses the island in several stages, ending (or beginning) in Calenzana, overlooking the gulf. The village of Cateri offers a beautiful view of the Gulf of Algajola and is home to Corsica's oldest convent. Corsica's oldest convent, Marcassostill in operation.

To the west, the Balagne region is just as full of wonders, including Lumio, a village perched at an altitude of 200 metres, from which you can admire a sensational panorama of the entire Gulf of Calvi. When the sun goes down, the narrow streets reveal orange rays that caress the citadel of Calvi below. Don't miss a visit to Clos Colombu to discover the local grape varieties, and treat yourself to an olfactory stroll at Astrella, an essential oil distillery. From Lumio, take one of 3 hiking trails to the ruins of the village of Occi, founded in the 14ᵉ century and deserted 500 years later.

The village of Pigna, still standing thanks to the many craftsmen who refused to abandon it, invites you to a musical interlude. Jewelers, potters, grocers, violin makers and festival-goers still keep this charming village alive, with its stone houses and azure-blue shutters. In addition to its craft heritage, Pigna also boasts an impressive built heritage, including A Vaccaghja, an old-fashioned enclosure listed as a historic monument, now a 220-seat auditorium.

If the villages we've just described have convinced you to choose Balagne, be sure to visit Avapessa and Santa Reparata di Balagna. These offer, respectively, an exceptional fruit garden in an ancestral horticultural universe and several hamlets, including the Palmento which uses its ancient wine presses to produce olive oil.

What to see and do in Balagne?

What to see

  • The Fango Biosphere Reserve
  • The Saleccia botanical park and its exhibitions
  • Perched villages and typical houses
  • Romanesque and Baroque churches and chapels
  • Organ mountain
  • Gulf of Reginu

Things to do :

  • Hike in the Bonifato forest and its Figarella river
  • Stroll through the Asco forest (note that Balagne boasts almost 250 kilometers of hiking trails).

Cultural events not to be missed:

  • Les rencontres du bien-être, mid-May in Calvi
  • Santa Restituta rural fair, late May in Calenzana
  • A fiera di l'Alivu (olive fair), mid-July in Montegrosso
  • A San Vincente (winegrowers' festival), late July in Calvi
  • A fiera di l'Amandulu (almond fair), early August in Aregno
  • A fiera di u Pane (bread fair), mid-August in Lumio
  • Ile-Rousse fair, early October

Balagne is a popular and welcoming tourist destination. This region offers a wealth of authenticity. The diversity of its landscapes and traditions make it one of Corsica's most pleasant destinations, still untouched by mass tourism in some respects.

Experience Balagne on one of our tailor-made tours !

Experience Balagne on one of our tailor-made tours

 © Robert Palomba
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Intimate Haute-Corse

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Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
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 © Domaine de Tanella
Circuit
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Passion de vins en Haute-Corse

8 days | 7 nights
Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Tasting
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 © Robert Palomba
Circuit
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Complete Corsica

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Natural area preserved
Architectural Heritage
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 © Robert Palomba
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The Isle of Beauty in total intimacy

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Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Tasting
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 © Robert Palomba
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Corse Essentielle from Figari to Bastia

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Natural area preserved
Architectural Heritage
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 © Robert Palomba
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An exceptional itinerary in Haute-Corse

8 days | 7 nights
Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Panorama
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 © Robert Palomba
Circuit
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On the road to epicurean Haute-Corse

11 days | 10 nights
Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Tasting
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 © Robert Palomba
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History
Architectural Heritage
Tasting
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 © Robert Palomba
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An intense tour armed with your 5 senses

11 days | 10 nights
Towns and villages
Panorama
Tasting
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 © Arnaud Grimaldi
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From coves to myrtles, a course for well-being

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Islands and coastline
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A beautiful escape on an electric bike

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Athletic
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Corsica Bella

8 days | 7 nights
Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Tasting
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 © Domaine de Tanella
Circuit
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Passion de vins en Haute-Corse

8 days | 7 nights
Towns and villages
Natural area preserved
Tasting
From 749 /pers.
 © Robert Palomba
Circuit

Motorcycle roadtrip on the legendary roads of Haute-Corse

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Towns and villages
In the heart of the mountains
Natural area preserved
From 695 /pers.

Our local experts tell you all about our trips to Corsica!

How to visit Balagne

To explore Corsica's Balagne region, here are some brief options:

By car : Maximum flexibility to visit villages and beaches.

On foot : Hikes to discover nature and panoramic views.

By train: Balagne train between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse, offering spectacular coastal views.

By bike : Varied itineraries for all levels, between coast and mountains.

Organized Tours: Local guides for themed experiences (culture, nature, gastronomy).

Which Balagne villages to visit?

The Balagne region is full of picturesque villages well worth a visit. Among them:

Sant'Antonino: Perched on an eagle's nest, this village offers panoramic views over the entire region.
Pigna : Known for its craftsmen and music festival.
Calvi : With its citadel and magnificent beaches, although more a town than a village, it's a must-see in the Balagne region.
Lumio: Offering a beautiful view of the Gulf of Calvi, this charming village is also the starting point for numerous hikes.
Corbara : Rich in religious heritage, with several chapels and churches to discover.

These villages offer an authentic glimpse of Corsican culture, combining tradition, history and breathtaking scenery.

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