ABOUT AREA
Set in a privileged, perched position on the hillside with truly outstanding views out over the gulf towards Calvi, Lumio is a picturesque village with a private collection of attractive villas. Below the village, just a short drive away, are a number of delightful unspoilt beaches with silver sand and crystal clear water.
BEACHES
Arinella
The beach at Lumio, Arinella Plage, is small and personal and has stunning views of Calvi Citadel across the bay. Sheltered between rocky headlands there are opportunities to swim, paddle or snorkle.
Plage de Ste Restitude
Located between Calvi and Lumio, Ste Restitude is a small creek with rocks and sand - an excellent spot for snorkelling.
Calvi
Calvi's beach is a sweeping bay of powdered white sand fringed by woods of maritime pines and is lapped by some of the clearest water on the island. From here, the views across the bay and the picturesque backdrop of Calvi Citadel are simply magnificent. The beach stretches for 6km, so there is plenty of room for everyone even in the height of the summer months. With a gently shelving gradient as well as warm and protected waters, the beach is also ideal for children. There is a fine array of restaurants and cafés nearby - some of which serve directly onto the beach; not to mention a diverse range of water sports activities for the more energetic.
FESTIVALS
Fiera di San Petru
Held in Lumio in mid July, this is a village festival with exhibitions celebrating stone-masonry and stone-related crafts made in the village from iron ore mined on Cap Corse.
Foire de l'Alivu in Montegrosso
Around 10,000 visitors honour the olive in July, in a delightful olive grove setting with exhibitions demonstrating olive production over the years and artisans selling refreshments and local produce.
Foire de l'Amandier in Aregno
Held in the Balagne village of Aregno every August, the Foire de l’Amandier includes tastings, painting exhibitions, events for children and cooking contests all based around the almond and its trees.
Fiera di u Sumere in Sant’Antonino
Celebrating the donkey in August, the only form of transport in the cobbled winding streets of this mountain village. Take a donkey ride around the village to view the picturesque surroundings and magnificent views.
Rencontres Polyphoniques in Calvi
Polyphonic singing is at the heart of Corsican culture every September in Calvi and singers from around the world perform in the citadel at the Rencontres Polyphoniques.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Le Matahari Restaurant
Situated on Arinella Beach, Le Matahari pulls back customers time after time, not just for its enviable position but also for its fabulous local fish. You can enjoy a front-row view of the sunset over Calvi, whilst wiggling your toes in the sand and eating fish so fresh it has barely stopped moving. A magical holiday memory to unwrap and enjoy again for many years to come.
Visit the local producers' market
Visit the small market on the Church square, taking place every Saturday between 8.30am and 12 noon.
Chapelle San Pietro
One kilometre south of Lumio village, on the N197, you’ll find the Chapelle San Pietro, a Romanesque church, standing amidst a monumental cemetery. Founded in the eleventh century and rebuilt in the eighteenth, it retains some of its original features and is well worth a look around.
Visit Calvi and the citadel
Calvi Towns social life focuses on the many restaurants and cafés of the quai landry which is a large seafront walkway that links the marina and the port effortlessly. To get the best possible feel of the town, this is the place to be! A walk up through the narrow passageways off quai landry will take you to rue Clemenceau where you will find an array of restaurants and souvenir shops plenty. Further walking will present the Ste-Marie-Majeure, built in 1774.
Calvi – L’lle Rousse by train
This regular service allows you to explore the coastline to the east of Calvi, stopping at all of the beaches en route, which means you can jump on in Lumio and travel in either direction! The line built in the 1880s and 1890s hugging the coast is undoubtedly one of the worlds most scenic railways. The complete journey takes approx 50 minutes, and depending on the time of year travelling, there are between five and 10 return journeys a day.
Bonifato forest
Explore the Bonifato forest, a spectacular pine forest with hidden rock pools and stunning views over Calvi Bay with walks of varying difficulties.
Village of Occi
Walk to the abandoned village of Occi, an hour's circular walk from Lumio village. The village was deserted when the water dried up but the view from the top is amazing and the spot very atmospheric.
Explore the fortress villages of la Balagne
Drive uphill and visit the fortress villages of Haute Balagne including Zilia, Montegrosso, Cateri, Sant'Antonino, Feliceto, Muro and Belgodère. Perched high above the sea and surrounded by terraces that produced olives, wine and figs together with plentiful citrus groves, these villages rank amongst the most picturesque on the island. Backed by the dramatic mountain landscapes, many of the villages are nearly a thousand years old. A recent government redevelopment programme has encouraged young people to settle in the villages and preserve the traditional practices resulting in the Strada di L’Artigiani, the Artisans route; a craft trail where you can visit workshops and buy the wares of the local artists.
