on corsica, the roads go where?

All roads on Corsica lead to Corte. Sort of. If one looks at a map, in the center of the island and a bit to the north one finds Corte. The major roads going west to east and north to south pass through it, or nearby.

The train system intersects at Corte as well, except for the train going from Bastia to Calvi. One must transfer to a second train at Ponte-Leccia to continue to the west coast and Calvi.

Tourists, myself included, like to take the train in the morning from Bastia to Corte, spend some time there, and return to Bastia. It is small, Corte is, and much can be seen with part of a morning and much of the afternoon. The train ride is about two hours. One can walk into town from the train station; I did.

I chose to spend three nights in Corte. That meant wandering some streets more than once. Saying that, I would return and do it again.

Corte is set in the mountains. You are reminded of it during the train ride and later when you climb to the citadel and look to the horizon.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

The citadel offers the best views of the surrounding countryside. It requires paying the entry fee for the Musée de la Corse. One enters the mueum, turns left before entering the exhibits, and walking outside to the citadel viewing area. One must be able to walk up steps.

I loved the quiet neighborhoods. I was always looking for the shades and the light.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

Liquid sustenance should not be taken for granted. All will refresh and make one stronger and hydrated. Here we have the important liquids for a meal on Corsica.

Begin with an aperatif, un pasitis, and sip it while looking through the menu. On Corsica there is a popular local fizzy water and that is Orezza; it is bottled near Corte and can be found everywhere and it is cheap. Tap water is available as well, but it is not as refreshing. Finally, the wine, un quart, or a third of a bottle (750 ml), is so important.

The posters were everywhere, on walls, attached to poles, decorating plazas. They reminded me of the old Burma Shave signs one saw along some american highways.

Later, after leaving Corte, I would see them in the major towns on the west coast, Calvi, Saint-florent, L’Île-Rousse, and even Cargèse.

The posters advertised the performances of a capella groups. The concerts were held–always–in the most prominent church of the town.

Before I left Corte, I attended a concert by the group Spartera in l’Église de l’Annonciation de Corte. Their music can be heard on online.

Corsu-Mezu Mezu and Polyphonies Corses Les Plus belles Voix Corses are two recordings that offer different musical styles of Corsican chants and polyphonic music. Both can be found on Spotify.

Religious icons, as one might expect, are found everywhere on Corsica.

High above Corte but slightly below the citadel is an observation perch where you can admire a spectacular view of the valley and the newer sections of Corte. But equally exciting is to look back and down to the town itself and its winding streets.