About the area
Bastelica is a small commune in the Course-du-Sud region, set in the interior of the island, surrounding by forests and maquis, well known for its excellent charcuterie. Bastelica is part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, an area that covers around 40% of Corsica, in which to protect the rich flora and wildlife of the island. Nestled on the slopes of Monte Renoso, sitting in the valley of Prunelli, near Bocognano and Ghisoni, Bastelica is around 35km from Ajaccio. Just 11km away is Lac de Tolla, a reservoir that powers a hydroelectric plant, it is an area of beauty, rather than industry, extending over 5km² in a beautiful green setting surrounded by walnut and chestnut trees. During the summer season there is a nautical centre available to hire equipment for a range of activities.
Beaches
Plage St François, Ajaccio
Against the backdrop of the citadel in central Ajaccio, this is the city centre beach where locals go to relax while out shopping or taking a break from work. The view to the west is of the beautiful Iles Sanguinaires. Towards the end of the beach the sand becomes pebblier.
Ricanto
This renowned family beach is a short drive from the centre of Ajaccio and it has a good suite of facilities including parking, lifeguards and toilets. Yet it also maintains a unique environment with the recent replanting of local plants and a strong sense of conservation for the local wildlife. All this and the beautiful pure blue of the Mediterranean.
Plage d'Agosta
A long sandy beach with water sports and other facilities, making it quite lively. It runs along the Porticcio road. The area of Porticcio and Agosta has the highest proportion of hotels in the whole of Corsica and so the area can be busy in peak season.
Portigliolo, Isolella & Ruppione
The area has abundant sheltered coves, highly rated in summer and virtually untouched out of season - you may have these pretty beaches to yourself!
Festivals and Events
April
A Fiera Di U Casgiu - Venaco April
A Fiera di U Casgiu is a rural cheese and local produce fair in Venaco, as seen on Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes.
June
Cavall’In Festa - Corte
Horse shows and parades, activities for children, rides, horse-drawn carriages and dressage are all part of the programme.
September
Festimonti - Bocognano
The Corsican mountains festival provides an eclectic programme of treks on foot, bicycle or on horseback; various initiations to climbing, canyoning, acrobranche or hang-gliding. Projection of films related to the mountains and debates will also be proposed.
July
Festiballu - Corte
Traditional dance and music festival (mainly violin) with fiddlers from many other countries as well as Corsica.
August
Foire de Saint Roch - Renno
The 'mountain days' offers a varied programme: films, exhibitions, music, singing, dancing, theatre and debates with writers.
Things to see and Do
Lac de Tolla
A large manmade lake, with natural beauty surroundings, this is a beautiful spot to spend a summer’s day, there is a nautical base where visitors can hire equipment to take part in water sports, this is open from June to September.
Scalella Pass
A walk that starts near the village of Bastelica and is also the start of several other trails that take you around the breathtaking panorama of the Ese Valley and the surrounding peaks.
Col de Bavella
A scenic highlight mountain area in Corsica, north west of Porto Vecchio, you can reach the area by road, on arrival you will be greeted by wonderful views and plenty of hiking trails.
Porticcio
Heading south west down the island you will reach the town of Porticcio, a busy, lively resort with an abundance of shops including many small speciality shops selling locally produced pates, saucissons and cheeses. There is also a large expanse of sandy beach with windsurfing, boat hire and a choice of other water sports and beach activities.
A Cupulatta
The tortoise park of 'A Cupulatta' makes a good family day out. Located 40-minutes away in the small village of Vero, the park, which is home to some 150 different species of tortoises and turtles. The site is open every day from 9am to 7pm in the summer and from 10am to 5.30pm during the rest of the year.
Ajaccio’s Old Town
Ajaccio is an attractive town with an exceptionally mild climate and boasts a wealth of cafés, restaurants, and chic shops. The old town is especially charming with a cluster of ancient streets spreading north and south of the Place Foch, which opens out onto the seafront by the old port. The Place de Gaulle forms the town centre. Following on from this is the Cours Napoléon, lined with chic boutiques and brasseries, and running parallel to the beach for almost 2km. There are plenty of places to visit including Napoléon's house (Maison Bonaparte), Musée Capitellu, the citadel and Musée Fesch.
