La Scala di Santa Regina

From Corte, we drove north on D18 and west on D84 to La Scala di Santa Regina.

It's a beautiful drive through stunning scenery.

You'll find pigs,

cows

and goats. 

There are hotels along the way. This was the Hotel Castel de Vergio.

We came across this statue. Not sure what it represented.

Absolutely gorgeous mountain views along the way.

2017 09 26

La Riveres des Vins

Dinner in Corte was at La Riveres des Vins, located at 5 Rampe Sainte-Croix.

There is an outdoor sitting area.

Le Plateau Gourmand + verre de vin--€19. This was a huge platter of Corsican specialties--charcuterie, terrine de sanglier (wild boar), omelette brocciu (sheep cheese)/menthe (mint),  figatellu (dry sausage), fromage ferrier corse, salade, tomatoes

Escalope Veau Sauce Cepes (mushrooms)--€14.

It came with mushrooms.

Salade Verte--€4.

2017 09 25

Corte

Corte is a mountain town in the interior of the island. It was the capital of the island for a brief time in 1755 and today, has Corsica's only university.

The citadel is a short walk up from the Haute Ville (high city) of town. The chateau in the citadel was built in 1419. The barracks now house the TI and Museu di a Corsica.

Belvedere at the foot of the citadel affords a beautiful view of Corte and the surrounding area..

Eglise de l'Annonciation in the center of town is a Catholic church dating from 1655.

Jean Pierre Gaffory is a doctor and general who was born in Corte. 

Napoleon's brother Joseph was born in Corte as well.

Place Paoli in the center of town is dominated by a statue of Paoli himself.

Capella Santa Croce

2019 09 25

L'Albadu

We spent the night at L'Albadu, just outside Corte. It was an hour drive from Ile Rousse.

L'Albadu is a bed and breakfast, situated on a horse breeding farm and surrounded by mountains.

The rooms were clean and adequate.

There is an outdoor picnic area if you bring your own food.

View of the horse farm and mountains.

Breakfast was a continental breakfast of baguette, croissant, homemade breads and fig confiture. Orange juice and tea or coffee were included.

2017 09 25

Le Grand Bleu

Lunch was at Le Grand Bleu, located at Place du Canon.

A 3-course menu was €24. For the entree, I chose Soupe de Poisson. The Corsicans really know how to make a great fish soup.

The soup comes with toasted baguette and rouille as well as shredded cheese. Spread a little rouille on the baguette and dunk it into the soup. 

Civet de Sanglier et Linguine. The wild boar stew was tender and delicious.

Panna Cotta for dessert. It came with a fruit sauce and canistrelli crumble. The Corsican panna cotta is so creamy.

The Plat du Jour--€15. Petite Seiches (cuttlefish) au Chorizo, Ecrase de Pomme de Terre a l'Ail Confit. This was delicious. The cuttlefish weren't chewy and the chorizo added a nice flavor.

2017 09 25

Ile Rousse

Ile Rousse is just a 25 minute drive from Sant'Antonino.

It's a beach town on the northern part of the island, founded by Pasquale Paoli in 1758 as a rival to Calvi.

The harbor comes with its own mermaid.

It's a popular place for celebrities and those looking to dock their expensive yachts.

Promenade de la Marinella starts in town and winds its way east to the beaches.

Ile de la Pietra just north of town has a lighthouse

and a Genoese watchtower.

The Old Town is charming, complete with a covered food market.

Stop and pick up some canistrelli at biscuiteries in town.

Canistrelli are Corsican cookies, similar to the Italian biscotti. A 250 g bag at Salvatori was €8.50. We tried the natur, salted caramel and anise and liked the anise the best.

Stroll on old paving stones in the Old Town

and admire the numerous sculptures.

2017 09 25

Sant Antonino

Corsica also has Les Plus Beaux Villages (the most beautiful villages) designations. We were hoping to get breakfast at a boulangerie but couldn't find any in town.

These are small rural villages with a population less than 2000 and with at least 2 national heritage sites.

Sant Antonio was such a site in Corsica. It's a hilltop village located in northwest Corsica, just 30 minutes from Calvi.

The village has narrow lanes and steep paths.

as well as vaulted passageways.

Next to the car park is the Church of Annunciation, which dates from the 11th century. It has a 4-story bell tower.

Inside of the church. Pretty elaborate for a village of 2000.

2017 09 25