|
Porto-Vecchio
|
|
|
Set on a hillock overlooking a beautiful deep blue bay,
PORTO-VECCHIO
, 25km north of Bonifacio, was rated by James Boswell as one of "the most distinguished harbours in Europe". It was founded in 1539 as a second Genoese stronghold on the east coast, Bastia being well established in the north. The site was perfect: close to the unexploited and fertile plain, it benefited from secure high land and a sheltered harbour, although the mosquito population spread malaria and wiped out the first Ligurian settlers within months. Things began to take off mainly thanks to the cork industry, which still thrived well into the twentieth century. Today a third of Corsica's wine is exported from Porto-Vecchio, but most revenue comes from tourists, the vast majority of them well-heeled Italians who flock here for the fine outlying
beaches
: spectacular stretches of shoreline lie to the south, with Palombaggia the most popular and Golfe de Santa Giulia coming a close second, while to the north, the deep inlet of the Golfe de Porto-Vecchio boasts some fine pine-backed strands. To the northwest, the little town of
Zonza
makes a good base for exploring the dramatic forestry that surrounds the
route de Bavella
.
Around the centre of town there's not much to see, apart from the well-preserved
fortress
and the small grid of
ancient streets
backing onto the main place de la RA©publique. East of the square you can't miss the
Porte GA©noise
, which frames a delightful expanse of sea and salt pans and through which you'll find the quickest route down to the modern marina, lined with cafA©s and hotels. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
|
France,
|