Corte - Citadel of Corsica

Everyone will tell you : Corsica's heart beats in Corte. Historical capital of the ephemeral time of the island's independence the “ cité citadelle (quoted citadel) ” is emblematic of the island's values. An essential and central location that you should visit whatever airport you arrive at with Air Corsica.

Among the six citadels of the island, Corte is the only one situated within the grounds on a strengthened rocky piton overhung by a real “ eagle's nest ” : a site classified as a Historic monument since 1977 ! From the Belvedere, below the citadel, there is a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. This is where the Museum of Corsica and the Corte Tourist Office are located.

But Corte is also, and above all, the bastion of the Corsican revolution for independence during the seventeenth century, led by Pasquale Paoli, known as “ U Babbu di a Patria (Father of the Nation) ”, a historical character both emblematic and charismatic whose memory lives on throughout the island. This General, son of the French Revolution and bearer of the values of the “ Lumières (Enlightenments) ” captured the imagination of the grandest European courts and all the great thinkers of his time with, notably, the drafting of the first democratic constitution of the history of humanity, the creation of a university, a printing works…

Nowadays, Corte still houses the famous university founded in 1755 by Pasquale Paoli of whose name it bears and has a population of 4,000. Finally, the city of Corte adhered to the FECN (Fédération Européenne des Cités Napoléoniennes) [European Federation of Napoleonic Cities) and it is the second city after Ajaccio to take part in the itinerary “ Destination Napoleon ” which has just been certified as “ European Cultural Itinerary ” by the Council of Europe.

For the more energetic, Corte is the ideal starting point for many mountain hikes in the heart of the beautiful Restonica valley and the mountain lakes of Melo, Capitello and Nino, where Corsican wild horses graze peacefully.

With Air Corsica, whether you choose to land at Ajaccio or Bastia, or even Calvi or Figari, with a rental car you can, at preferential rates, discover the charm of the island roads to get you where the heart beats in Corsica : Corte !

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Opportunity to book a visit to the permanent exhibitions (duration one hour), to the temporary exhibition (duration one hour), and the Citadel (duration one hour)
Guided tour only on reservation (group of at least 10 people), except Sundays and holidays
Individual tariffs €5.30, senior (+60 years) €3.80, concessions (student, school children, unemployed) €3.00, school party €1.50, under 10 years free, guided tour supplement/audio guide €1.50

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From 1 November to 31 March from 10:00 to 17:00: every day except for Sunday, Monday, Holidays and 24 December.

Closed each year from 31 December to 14 January inclusive.

From the 1 April to 21 June from 10:00 to 18:00: every day except Mondays and the first of May.

From 22 June to 20 September from 10:00 to 20:00: every day.

From 21 September to 31 October from 10:00 to 18:00: every day except Mondays.

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Address: Musée régional d'Anthropologie la Citadelle, 20250

Telephone: 04 95 45 25 45

Fax: 04 95 45 25 36

Website: http://www.musee-corse.com/

Explore Bastia

All year round or only in summer depending on the routes concerned, Bastia, the main city in Upper Corsica, is particularly well serviced by Air Corsica with several direct flights.

The City of Art and History, Bastia also a coastal resort highly appreciated for its favoured environment.

Absolute must-sees in the city and its surroundings: the old port of Terra Vecchia for its authenticity, its unique charm and ease of living, the Genoese Palais des Gouverneurs (former Genoese citadel turned local history Museum), the Terra Nova citadel, an imposing structure dominating the city and, in a chequerboard of distinctive little streets, sheltering the Sainte Marie de l’Assomption cathedral, the Sainte Croix oratory, the round way, the powder keg, etc. Bastia also houses the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste : the largest in Corsica !

scoprire Flight Bastia

Corte - Citadel of Corsica

Explore Bastia

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