Destination Guide

Diary of Events in The Interior

Village fêtes

Throughout the summer season each village holds its own celebration of a local trade, agricultural produce and dates of religious or historical significance. Each year more are added to the calendar, so this section highlights' the most popular. Keep your eyes open for posters or ask the local tourist office for more information.

The fêtes are the highlight of the village social scene and usually all the villagers and their families become involved in the celebrations and welcome visitors to participate and tour their village. There is nearly always an artisan market, with stalls scattered along the narrow streets that provide ideal opportunities to find an unusual gift or trinket to take back home. It is also an excellent opportunity to get a taste of local village hospitality, as there will always be refreshment stalls and places where you can sample some of the local specialities produced in the traditional manner.

Here are some of the local fetes:

A Fiera di u Casgiu (Venaco) - May

The island's premier cheese festival, the competition is open to entries from Corsica's five main cheese producing regions. Niolu, Bastellicaccia, Venaco, Sartène and Calenzana. There are also a wide variety of other stands and craftsmen too.

Cavall'in Festa (Corte) - June

The island's main horse fair, this festival is the showcase for Corsican horses, donkeys and mules, with craft stands and a mounted parade.

Festa di u Legnu è di a Furesta (Vezzani) - August

A forest and wood products fair, with chain saw sculpture, demonstrations, forest discovery trails and much more run by the association A Leva. There is also music and dancing, plus a museum of woodworking in the village.

Festival of Fruit (Vescavato in the Casinca) - August

As the primary fruit growing area of Corsica, this village celebrates all fruit production and products.

A Santa di u Niolu (Casamaccioli near Niolu) - September

This is one of Corsica's most important religious festivals where thousands gather from all over the island (and many who have moved away return for this spectacle) to celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Following the procession through the streets of the village with the Madonna held aloft, the afternoon hosts a singing contest in the tradional Corsican style of Chiam' e Rispondi where singers "duel" to make the wittiest and most topical comments.

Mele in Festa (Murzo, near Vico) - September

The Corsican honey festival to celebrate the produce of the region, now AOC controlled.

Music & Arts Festivals

Festiballu (Corte) - July

Traditional dance and music festival with fiddlers from many other countries as well as Corsica.

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