6th day : Bastia

When you arrive by boat you can see firstly the Palais des Gouverneurs on high ground, the citadel and its ramparts. Then as you come off the boat just opposite the port there is a large esplanade lined with palm trees, plane trees and cafés terraces: this is the St Nicolas square, one of the biggest squares in Europe where “the whole Bastia” strolls up and down.

To the south of the square we reach the market area which is quite busy in the morning and where you will see the impressive Saint Jean Baptiste church whose side entrance topped with stucco canopies opens onto the market square.

Opposite the main entrance of the church, with its two church towers, emblematic of the town, steps will take you down to the old port where fishermen and sailors will be able, depending on their mood, to tell you the story of the pier of the Dragon.

You turn off to the right and go up the “rue du Colle”, the “rue aux Huiles” or the “rue des Mulets” to come out at “Terra Nova” district and its citadel. Go through the huge Louis XVI doors to come out on the Donjon square overlooked by the Genoese frontage of the Governors Palace. From there, you’ll get a wonderful view over Bastia, the old port, the sea and the beginning of the Cap Corse.

Through the little narrow streets you can go and see some Baroque beauties: the Saint Marie cathedral with its silver Virgin Mary, and just below it is the Oratory of ‘La conception’ with its black Christ. Emotion, reverence and meditation guaranteed !

Go back down by the steps of the Romieu garden for another amazing viewpoint of the old port, take the rue Napoleon, and you will pass in front of the Oratory of ‘La Conception’, with red velvet hangings, panelling and gold stucco to end in front of the St Roch chapel.

Bastia conceals many other treasures….

But it will only reveal its charms to those who are attentive and wise.