Corte, historic and cultural capital of Corsica
Arriving in Corte, you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover the town, built at the foot of a citadel perched on a 100-metre-high rocky outcrop! This picturesque town of 7,446 inhabitants is very popular with tourists who love history and nature.
Worth knowing: Coveted by successive occupants from antiquity to the 16th century, Corte played a key strategic military role. For centuries, the Citadel at the center of Corsica kept a watchful eye on communications from the interior. The Cortenais, Gian Pierto Gaffory, who freed the town from Genoese control, was assassinated in 1753, but Pascal Paoli, aged 28, continued the fight. He designated Corte as the capital of independent Corsica. He became "Babbu di a patria" (father of the fatherland) and drew up a democratic constitution, a national printing works and a university, all of which were admired throughout Europe! The battle of Ponte Novu in May 1769, followed by the occupation of the whole of Corsica by Louis XV's royal army, led to the fall of Paoli's capital, which was subsequently demoted to the rank of sub-prefecture. Paoli met Napoleon's father at the university during his law studies. Later, in 1788, Napoleon would remain at the General's side, but their ideas soon diverged, one wanting to remain loyal to France, the other to break away. Pascal Paoli, Corsica's general against the Genoese, then against the French, sought alliances, notably with England, which guaranteed him protection for a time, before he went into exile there.
Visit the city
La Citadelle, the eagle's nest at altitude
Listed as a historical monument lhe only one to be located inland, unlike the other 5, which are close to the sea. The King of Aragon, Vicentello d'Istria, began building a castle in 1419, and after numerous modifications over the centuries toincrease the city's fortifications, the present-day citadel was created. In 1984, the site was opened to the public, who enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Restonica and Tavignano valleys from the Belvedere. The castle within the citadel is home to the regional museum of Corsican Anthropology where 3,000 objects from traditional Corsican life are on display, and whose main themes are: Corsica today, its social, economic and cultural aspects, and the Corsican quest for identity.
The military buildings were used as barracks, but also as prisons. Many Corsican resistance fighters were imprisoned here, particularly during the Second World War.
The churches and their history
The Church of the Annunciationbuilt in 1450, is, along with the Citadelle, the town's oldest monument. Push open the front door and admire the 18th-century furniture, organ, paintings and white marble, as well as the relics of Saint Theophilus and John Paul II, a drop of his blood on a cloth.
The Holy Cross Chapel, a chapel for confraternities Dating from 1634, this intimate, elegant chapel is a must-see for its astonishing Baroque decoration and trompe-l'oeil effects. It's also the starting point for processions on Maundy Thursday.
La Cité
Walk to Place Gaffory , where the statue of the general stands in front of his house. Doctor Jean-Pierre Gaffory, born in Corte in 1704, was Leader of the Corsican nationalist government in the mid-18ᵉ century. Then stroll along Boulevard Paoli, where a multitude of small stores, bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors will welcome you. As you stroll along, you'll see the Bonaparte house , then the Gaffory house, and numerous statues scattered around the town.
What to do in Corte
Cultural activities in Central Corsica
Don't missa 40-minute guided tour of the old town with the little train train. Your train ticket entitles you to a 50% discount at the Corsican Museum. You can also opt for a visit by a tour guider to discover the little anecdotes of 'authentic Corte' andits secrets! If you're staying for several days, take the train to Ajaccio and back during the day. charming little stations and unique landscapes!
Sports activities, our addresses
You can do it all: canyoning in the Verghellu, Coriscia or Vecchio canyons, electric biking, tree-climbing, horse-riding, climbing and caving. But above all, book a day in the Restonica valley! You'll be able to swim in the gorges and reach the Grotelle sheepfolds (1375 m), where you can buy a delicious goat's cheese. For hikers, this is the start of the trail to the famous Melo and Capitello lakes.
Hotels and restaurants in the Cortenais
If you're on a nature day out, replace your ham and butter with a herb pie and chestnut fondant from one of the town's bakeries! In Corte, you'll find a number of excellent restaurants serving regional dishes such as Corsican veal, stuffed eggplants and Corsican charcuterie... don't hesitate to head for the Restonica for a culinary getaway by the river.
There aren't many hotels to choose from, so we advise you to book early for your stay or getaway in Corte. We've selected the Hotel U Frascone for you.
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Where to park in Corte?
In Corte, there are several parking options for visitors. You can park in the public parking lots located around the city. Among these, the Piazza del Popolo parking lot is often recommended, as it's close to the historic center and offers easy access to the city's main attractions. Parking is also available in adjacent streets, but be sure to observe parking regulations and avoid areas reserved for residents.
Where is Corte in Corsica?
Corte is centrally located in Corsica, some 68 kilometers southeast of Bastia, the island's main inland conurbation. Situated at the confluence of the Tavignano river, in the Cortenais region, Corte is considered a strategic city at the heart of the Corsican nation. It is served by Corsica's rail network, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the island's magnificent mountainous landscapes.
What is Corte's altitude?
Corte is located at an altitude of around 488 meters above sea level.