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Corte citadel on its rocky spurPhoto: janfried / Pixabay
Central Corsica · Corsican town

Visit Corte

Pascal Paoli’s capital of Corsica, below its citadel, where the Restonica and Tavignano valleys open out.

Region
Central Corsica
Exploring
On foot
Train
CFC station
Altitude
Valleys and mountains
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Overview

What to do in Corte

Corte was the capital of Pascal Paoli’s independent Corsica from 1755 to 1769. As well as the Palazzu Naziunale, the seat of government, it was home to the university founded by Paoli. Reopened in 1981, the Università di Corsica now has about 5,000 students, which gives this small mountain town a liveliness you will not find anywhere else in the interior of the island.

The rock of Corte citadel above the town’s rooftopsPhoto : raymondfani / Pixabay

The best view of Corte is on the way down into the town. The rocky spur of the citadel was the core of the town, around the castle built in 1420 by Vincentello d’Istria. The town then spread out below the citadel, and later onto the plain of the Tavignano, the river that flows down to the east coast.

The upper town, towards the citadel

The military buildings of the citadel now house the university and the Musée de la Corse (Museum of Corsica). Walking through the citadel brings you to the parade ground. The palace facing it is the only surviving example of Genoese civil architecture in Corte and, paradoxically, it was the seat of government of independent Corsica.

Following the ramparts, you come to the viewpoint, with a 360-degree view of the citadel’s eagle’s nest, of the Tavignano and its small beach below, and of the mouth of the Restonica valley.

On the way back down to the old town, you pass the statue of Jean-Pierre Gaffori. Commander-in-chief of the Corsican nation before Pascal Paoli, he was assassinated in Corte in 1753, an event that left its mark on Corsican history; some time later, Paoli proclaimed the island’s independence.

Corte, a base for the mountains

Corte is the best starting point for the interior of the island: the Restonica and the Tavignano on foot from the town, the Niolu via the Scala di Santa Regina, and the Vizzavona forest and the GR20 by train. If you choose only one town in the interior, make it this one. Corte is also the night stop on day 5 of our Corsica itinerary for 1 week, and our guide to north Corsica gives driving times to Calvi and L’Île-Rousse.

Updated 2 November 2026

See

Visit Corte: the sights

The citadel and the Museum of CorsicaPhoto: 12019 / Pixabay
01

The citadel and the Museum of Corsica

On its rocky spur, the castle built in 1420 by Vincentello d’Istria towers over the town; the walls around it date from the 18th century. The citadel is partly listed as a historic monument. You visit it together with the Musée de la Corse (Museu di a Corsica), housed in the former barracks: the ticket gives access to the eagle’s nest and the ramparts.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm from 1 May to 31 October (except 1 May), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm the rest of the year, with an annual closure from 31 December to 14 January. Admission costs €5.50, free for under-10s. Current opening times at museudiacorsica.corsica.

Heritage · Museum

The national palacePhoto: Pierre Bona, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
02

The national palace

On the parade ground, this building, put up between 1600 and 1630 for the Genoese lieutenant, is the only surviving example of Genoese civil architecture in the town. Paradoxically, it was the seat of government of Pascal Paoli’s independent Corsica from 1755 to 1769. It now belongs to the university and is listed as a historic monument.

History

Place Paoli and place GafforiPhoto: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
03

Place Paoli and place Gaffori

On the way down to the old town, place Gaffori has the statue of Jean-Pierre Gaffori, general of the Corsican nation before Paoli, who was assassinated in Corte on 2 October 1753. Further down, place Paoli and cours Paoli are the lively heart of the town, with their cafés and the statue of Pascal Paoli.

Town centre

The viewpointPhoto: Piponwa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
04

The viewpoint

Along the ramparts, a viewpoint gives a 360-degree view of the citadel’s eagle’s nest, the Tavignano river with its small beach below, and the mouth of the Restonica valley. It is the best view of the town, free and within walking distance.

Free · Viewpoint

More to see

Around Corte

The neighbouring valleys and sites each have their own detailed page: here is what you need to choose.

The NioluPhoto: Pierre Bona, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Niolu

Beyond the Scala, the Niolu is a land of shepherds and mountain villages, now popular with walkers. Hard to reach for a long time, it remained a stronghold of resistance to the successive powers that ruled the island.

Mountains

Things to do

Things to do in Corte and central Corsica

Walking in the Restonica

The Restonica shuttle leaves from Corte station from May to September and saves you the narrow valley road. Bring good shoes and water: the paths climb quickly.

May to September
Swimming in the Tavignano

Below the citadel, the Tavignano has cool rock pools in summer, within walking distance of the town. Watch out for mountain storms, which make the water rise quickly. In 2026 the Corsican health agency (ARS) lists swimming at the Baliri bridge among bathing spots that are banned or to be avoided permanently: follow the signs. Other places to swim: our natural pools in Corsica.

Summer · Free
Taking the mountain train

The Chemins de fer de la Corse (Corsican railways) train links Corte with Vizzavona and Ajaccio through the gorges of the Vecchio: a way to see the mountains without driving. See trains in Corsica.

All year
Where to base yourself

Where to stay in Corte

Corte is small: the choice is between the old town, on foot, and the mouth of the valleys, where it is quieter.

The upper town and the citadelPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The upper town and the citadel

Quiet, a few steps from the museum and the squares, with steep lanes and little parking.

  • Hôtel U Passa Tempu guest house · about 150 m from the citadel 8.6/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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Avoid driving up: leave the car in a car park at the foot of the citadel and finish on foot. Along the ramparts, the belvedere gives the best view of the town.

Cours Paoli and the centrePhoto: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cours Paoli and the centre

The most convenient on foot: cafés, shops, restaurants, and the station close by.

  • Les Terrasses de Padoue apartment · less than 100 m from cours Paoli 8.3/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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With its students, Corte has a liveliness that is rare for an inland town, and it centres on the cours. The citadel and the museum are within walking distance, uphill.

The station and the plainPhoto: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The station and the plain

Around the station and the university, more recent and easier for parking.

  • Casa Inde Noi apartment · about 200 m from the station 9.2/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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From May to September, the Restonica shuttle leaves from the station, as do the trains to Vizzavona, Ajaccio and Bastia. A car-free stay is possible from this area.

  • Résidence Arborea holiday complex · about 900 m from the station 9.1/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • L’Albadu farm inn · about 1.1 km from the station 8.9/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • Casa Guelfucci B&B · about 1.1 km from the station 8.8/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • Casa Carlu Maria I apartment · about 650 m from the station 8.7/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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Venaco and VivarioPhoto: SlimMars 13 / Pexels

Venaco and Vivario

South of Corte, mountain villages served by the train, as close as you can get to the Vizzavona forest.

  • Chalet U Castagnu chalet · about 950 m from the village of Venaco 9.6/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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Venaco is about a quarter of an hour from Corte by car, outside summer and without stopping. The Cascade des Anglais, on the GR20, can be reached by train or by car.

  • Casa di l’Apa guest house · about 750 m from the village of Venaco 9.5/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • Juliette hotel · about 700 m from the village of Venaco 9.5/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • Coco hotel · about 900 m from the village of Venaco 9.4/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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  • Villa Praesidio B&B · about 2.2 km from the village of Venaco 9.2/10 on Booking · Oct 2026
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All places to stay in Corte→

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Practical info

Practical information: getting to and staying in Corte

By train

Corte is halfway along the Bastia to Ajaccio line of the Chemins de fer de la Corse: about 2 hours from Ajaccio, and a little under 2 hours from Bastia on the winter 2026-2027 timetable. See trains in Corsica and current timetables at cf-corse.corsica.

By air

The nearest airport is Bastia Poretta, 53 km away (about 50 minutes by road according to the airport). Ajaccio is about 1 hour 15 minutes by road. See flying to Corsica.

By sea

Land at Bastia or Ajaccio, then continue to Corte by road or by train. See the ferry crossing.

Getting around

The old town is easy to explore on foot, but it is steep. For the Restonica, take the shuttle in season. By coach, the Via Corsica C11 line links Corte with Aléria.

Parking

The town council lists more than 500 public spaces in the town centre and below the citadel (covered car park, the Restonica and Tuffelli car parks, pay-and-display). Avoid driving up into the upper town.

When to go

Corte has a more continental climate than the coast: August afternoons go above 31°C, and January nights are close to 0°C (Météo-France averages). May, June and September are the best months for walking. The museum has shorter opening hours in winter. See the climate in Corsica.

How long to stay

Half a day is enough for the citadel, the museum and the old town. Allow two or three days to add the Restonica and the Scala di Santa Regina, longer if you are walking.

Tourist office

Office de tourisme Centru di Corsica, La Citadelle, 20250 Corte. Tel. +33 4 95 46 26 70. Website: tourisme-centrecorse.corsica.

Find your bearings

Map

Combine it with

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The Restonica river between pines and granite boulders in its gorgesPhoto: The original uploader was Altagna at French Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons
Central Corsica

Restonica valley

 The Scala di Santa Regina gorge, with its retaining walls above the Golo gorgesPhoto: Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Niolu

The Scala di Santa Regina

 Bastia’s Old Port, its colourful façades and the bell tower of Saint-Jean-BaptistePhoto: SlimMars 13 / Pexels
East coast

Visit Bastia