Bonjour,
Je pars pour la Corse du 23 juin au 7 juillet, j'envisage de découvrir la partie ouest jusqu'à Ajaccio ainsi que le centre (Corte) . Nous sommes 2 et avons choisi de partir de Bastia (arrivée aéroport) de louer une voiture, de faire des randonnées et de dormir en gîte d'étape. Est-ce que quelqu'un connaît des adresses sûres de gîtes d'étapes situés dans la Haute Corse?,
Merci !
Tu trouveras les adresses des gîtes d'étape sur le site www.parc-naturel-corse.com
Lors de notre trek sur le sentier Mare a Mare Centre, nous avons fait étape dans certains d'entre eux, tu peux te faire une idée en lisant le récit de notre voyage sous le titre "Corse sur le Mare a Mare : récit en images" quelques discussions plus loin ou en passant par mon profil.
Si tu as d'autres questions, n'hésite pas !
Bonne préparation.
Merci beaucoup pour le lien. J'avais également lu qques extraits de ton récit sur la Corse. Je pense que je vais contacter le gîte Chez Félix et voir les autres gîtes d'étapes de la liste que j'ai trouvé sur le lien. En fait on recherche un itinéraire que l'on pourrait faire en 1 semaine en partant de Bastia jusqu'à Ajaccio. As-tu une idée à ce sujet? Comment vous vous organisiez au niveau des repas sans avoir trop de frais?
A bientôt
Amicalement.
Stéphanie
Si tu veux faire de la rando deux jours : soit le sentier des douaniers du Cap Corse, soit celui des Agriates. Egalement la Girolata (nord golfe de Porto). Contactes minidesert (pseudo sur VF) qui sera de bon cosneil pour la région de la Balagne.
"Celui qui a atteint son but a manqué tout le reste"
Tu parles d'un itinéraire entre Bastia et Ajaccio en 1 semaine. A pied ? en voiture ?
Quant à s'organiser pour le midi, là aussi, tout dépend si tu fais ton itinéraire à pied ou pas. En tout cas, le midi, dans tous les cas, le plus simple est de prévoir un pique-nique. Si tu es à pied et que tu traverses des villages où il y a une épicerie, pas de problème de ravitaillement. Sinon, les gîtes d'étape peuvent fournir un panier-repas.
Si tu es en voiture, pas de problème, tu peux te ravitailler partout.
Si tu précises un peu ton projet, ce sera plus facile de te conseiller.
Bonjour Christine,
Mon amie et moi pensions louer une voiture et nous arrêter à des points de départs de randonnées. Comme nous n'avons qu'une semaine ensemble la voiture nous permettrait de nous déplacer plus facilement jusqu'à Ajaccio. La formule gîte d'étape reste la plus économique ( hors camping) car comme la vie ne Corse est onéreuse on ne voudrait pas que tout notre budget passe ds la location de voiture et les p'tits resto. Demain je vais voir mon amie pour concrétiser notre séjour. Une fois l'itinéraire défini je te l'enverra pour avoir ton avis.
A bientôt.
Stéphanie
Comme mon amie ne peut m'accompagner qu'une semaine, voici grosso modo notre itinéraire
Jour 1: Cap Corse (nuit à Borgo et san martino di Lota)
jour 2 et jour 3: St Florent, Les Agriates, l'Ile Rousse, San Antonino, Pigna, Calvi avec nuit à relais internationnal "U Carabellu"
jour 4 : Porto, les Calanches nuit chez Felix
jour 5 : rando gorges de Spelunca, Forêt d'Aitone et sa cascade nuit en gîte (pas défini)
jour 6: Corte rando non défini, que faut-il voir en priorité car mon amie doit reprendre l'avion le soir sur Bastia?
Sinon moi je reste toute seule la 2ème semaine, est-il facile de se déplacer en train, car je ne souhaite pas relouer de voiture. Je pensais rester sur Porto veccio mais j'ai du mal à trouver des gîtes à prix raisonnables (10-15€ la nuit)
A bientôt
Stéphanie
Ton parcours me paraît faisable, à quelques remarques près.
=>Il ne faut pas négliger en Corse la durée des déplacements, car les routes de bord de mer ou de montagne sont sinueuses et étroites.
=>Il va falloir faire des choix, quitte à passer à côté de certains sites sans les voir ! Ce sera l'occasion de revenir d'autres fois. Car la Corse ne laisse pas indifférent, quand on la découvre, on a qu'une hâte, c'est d'y retourner.
Alors si je reprends ton parcours en détails, voilà ce que ça donne (si j'ai bien compris)
Arrivée à Bastia (aéroport), location de la voiture et nuit à Borgo. C'est ça ? Ou avez-vous du temps pour visiter Bastia ?
J1 Cap Corse, nuit à San Martino de Lota. Très belle rando : le sentier des douaniers à l'extrémité du cap, faisable à partir de Macinaggio ou Barcaggio. (vous pouvez en faire une partie, peut-être si vous avez le temps)
J2 St Florent, le désert des agriates, L'Ile Rousse, Calvi. Nuit à Calvi, "U Carabellu"
J3 Tu peux voir les villages cités :Pigna, San Antonino...et nuit à Calvi. Moi, je ne garde pas un souvenir mémorable de ces villages. J'opterai plutôt, si vous aimez la rando, pour une rando au cirque de Bonifato. Départ Calenzana, à côté de Calvi, suivre le Gr20 jusqu'au refuge de Spasimata. Difficulté moyenne, 5hA/R.
J4 Calvi => Porto/Piana.Sur l'itinéraire, tu rates le golfe de Girolata, mais tu ne peux pas tout faire. Tant pis et puis si tu fais la rando des calanches, ça va compenser. C'est superbe. Nuit à Ota, chez Félix. J'ai déjà mangé chez Félix, c'est excellent et copieux. Gare aux kilos 😉😉😉
J5 Je zapperai les gorges de la Spelunca et la forêt d'Aitone, même si c'est très bien. D'ailleurs, sur cette route, tu as d'autres lieux de rando super comme le lac de Nino que j'ai adoré, mais comme dit plus haut, en une semaine, il faut faire des choix. C'est pourquoi, je crois qu'il vaut mieux aller directement à Corte, car dans ce coin et en Corse en général, s'il y a un endroit à ne pas manquer, c'est la vallée de la Restonica. Départ aux bergeries de Grotelle à 15 kms de Corte : le lac de Melo et Capitello (rando 4h30 A/R pour les 2 lacs).
Nuit à Corte où il y a un gîte municipal qui a l'air d'être dans tes prix "U Tavignanu", mais je ne connais pas.
J6 Comme ta copine doit reprendre l'avion, je ne me lancerai pas dans une excursion ce jour. Je me contenterai de visiter la ville et la citadelle de Corte, puis direction Bastia. Peut-être visite de Bastia, ce qui vous laissera plus de temps en J1 pour le Cap Corse.
C'est un parcours très dense pour une semaine. En même temps, tu auras l'impression de survoler, tant il y a à faire en Corse. Ne pas oublier de partir tôt le matin, car il faut compter avec le temps de déplacement et si vous avez prévu une rando, pour marcher aux heures les moins chaudes de la journée.
Pour ta dernière question, je répondrai un peu plus tard, il me faut un peu de réflexion. Sache déjà que Porto-Vecchio n'est pas accessible en train, uniquement en car depuis Bastia, 2x/j à 8h30 et 16h à Bastia. Quant à trouver des gîtes au prix indiqué, cela me semble un peu utopique en bord de mer. Réfléchis éventuellement à d'autres alternatives (en train, tu peux atteindre Ajaccio, par ex. par des paysages époustouflants de beauté)
Toutes ces propositions ne sont que mon humble avis. A vous maintenant de voir quelles sont vos priorités et vos préférences.
Bonne préparation. N'hésite pas, si tu as d'autres questions.
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Hi there,
This question is for a friend who lives in Munich and needs to come to Paris in May 2027.
Could you share any tips on the easiest way to get to Paris (flight or train) and then to La Défense Arena?
I don’t know anything about it, and my friend is just as lost when it comes to planning her trip.
Thanks in advance if you have any advice! :-)
Hello,
I’ve visited Corsica several times with our kids, and we loved the warm welcome and friendliness of the locals as we explored many villages. We’re originally from the JURA region.
Now that we’re retired, we’d like to live somewhere between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio.
Which village or town would you recommend for a peaceful and welcoming lifestyle?
We’re planning to spend a few days in Valencia and the surrounding area. Can you recommend the must-see sights?
PS: If you know any great restaurants, we’re all ears!
It’s official: our Lyon weekend is confirmed from June 12th to 14th (girls only, no kids!). Do you have any must-see spots to recommend? Are there any exhibitions happening around that time?
Which places do you suggest for going out and having a good time?
Hi,
Our son, currently in Central America, will board a sailboat on 04/16 to cross the Atlantic. He’s expected to arrive around 05/31 in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, and we’d like to welcome him on the day he arrives.
I’m looking for accommodation in the area for a few days around that date, from which we can explore the Camargue. We’ll be bringing our e-bikes.
Could you tell me which towns to look in and which areas to avoid, please? I think Port-Saint-Louis isn’t a great option if we want to avoid the toll for the ferry every time we leave by car.
Thanks for your tips.
Claire
PS: Are there a lot of mosquitoes in late May/early June?
Hi everyone! I’m Loubna, I’m Algerian. My friends and I are planning a trip to France, but we don’t know this region at all. Could you help us out? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I’m facing a pretty big and important dilemma—I moved to Argentina (Buenos Aires) when I was 20, and now, at 30, I’m coming back to France.
I’m looking for a city to live in and build a life for the next several years. I’m a single guy, so that’s the context.
The thing is, I have quite a few strict criteria...
First and foremost, I *need* a city that’s bustling with people everywhere—I really don’t like quiet, small countryside towns.
Nightlife is super important to me, especially on weekends. It’s crucial that there’s a wide range of options for going out in the evening (mostly bars—I’m not really into nightclubs, but I’d like to be one day if possible).
The social aspect is the *most* important thing (honestly, the *only* thing that matters to me). I don’t care at all about living conditions, safety, cleanliness, or whether things work smoothly.
But I *do* need a place where people are generally "chill"—not cold, rigid, or overly professional, with social norms that don’t make my head spin. I know I’ll never find the same Latin vibe here in France, haha, but I’m trying to survive anyway.
In France, I’ve always lived in Essonne (91), around Bures-sur-Yvette / Les Ulis / Gif / Orsay, etc. I *hate* it—way too quiet, empty streets, and zero activities that suit me. There’s not a single proper bar in any of the surrounding towns, just PMU tobacco shops, and nightlife is nonexistent.
I went to Hossegor once with friends—great vibe, nightlife, bars, beach, etc. But I’m guessing it’s *super* expensive to buy a place there, close to the action (and I’m not even sure if it’s a nice place to live overall).
When I came back to France, I spent 3 months in Paris because I thought it would obviously be the closest to what I was looking for. I still have horrible memories of it—it haunted me so much that I had to escape the capital in a hurry... And I was (I think?) in one of the best neighborhoods for my tastes: Belleville.
So here I am, going in circles because I don’t know enough about French cities. All my friends love quiet, small provincial towns or even living alone in the mountains.
A couple told me about Montreuil, but they were there a long time ago, so I don’t know what it’s like now. They said there was activity, that the city was pretty big, and that there was a good nightlife scene (bars, nightclubs, all kinds of outings), plus the metro (which would make it easy to get to Paris or for people to come to Montreuil from Paris).
So, for now, Montreuil is my only option, but I’m scared and would love other opinions (on Montreuil and other possibilities).
Sorry for the novel, but this is *really* important to me—my future depends on it, in a way ^^'
Thanks so much for reading and for any help you can give!
Hello,
At the beginning of June, we’ll be spending a few days in Sardinia. We’ve decided to return via a detour through Corsica and want to make the crossing from Santa Teresa di Gallura to Bonifacio (2 people and 1 car). There are currently two companies, Moby Lines and Ichnusa Lines, that operate this route. Unfortunately, we don’t know either of them at all. The prices and crossing times are pretty much the same, and we’d like to choose the most reliable one (punctuality/risk of cancellation for a booked crossing) and, if possible, the more comfortable of the two. Could you share your thoughts on either company to help us decide? Thanks in advance for your replies.
Have a great day.
I’m thinking about planning several short trips in France outside peak tourist seasons, especially in spring and autumn.
The idea would be to prioritize:
- fewer crowds at tourist sites
- more affordable accommodation prices
- a more local atmosphere
However, I also have some concerns about:
- attractions or restaurants sometimes being closed
- more unpredictable weather depending on the region
- less frequent transportation in certain areas
For those of you who’ve traveled in France off-season before, what do you think were the main pros and cons?
Are there any regions or specific times that are particularly worth prioritizing?
I’m looking for a ski resort in the Massif Central for a family trip—two adults and three kids (ages 4, 5, and 6)—for a week between late February and early March.
The main goal is to introduce my kids to skiing, so I’m looking for a resort that’s really "family-friendly." But honestly, almost every resort (Super-Besse, Mont-Dore, Lioran, etc.) claims to be family-friendly, so I’m not sure which one to choose. Plus, it’s not always easy to check the location of accommodations on booking sites.
For what I have in mind, we don’t need 30 km of slopes. What would be ideal, though, is a resort that’s mostly pedestrian-friendly, with lodging within a reasonable distance from the base of the slopes and a ski school available.
I’ve read some things here about places like "Chalmazel-Jeansagnière," but the thread is a bit old.
Hi,
We’re heading to Corsica at the end of July, and after a 4-night stay in Zonza, I’d like to head toward Cargèse or Porto to visit the Calanques de Piana. What’s the actual travel time? Maps says 2h40/3h, but I’m wondering if that’s really accurate.
How long does it take to get back to Ajaccio Airport afterward?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip to Normandy and, after reading quite a few posts here, I still have some questions about the most logical order to avoid spending too much time on the road.
The idea is to have a fairly smooth itinerary, taking the time to enjoy the places, over about ten days (possibly a little more), combining the coast and the inland areas.
I’m particularly wondering about:
– The best starting point (starting with Mont-Saint-Michel or saving it for the end)
– The balance between the coastline and more inland areas
– The areas where it’s really worth slowing down the pace
If any of you have done a route that felt particularly coherent, your feedback would really help me fine-tune the planning.
Hi,
I saw that the first tram from Pont du Garigliano leaves at 5:15 AM, and by taking the RER B at Cité Universitaire afterward, I’d arrive at Roissy at 6:30 AM—2 hours before my international flight.
Is this doable, or not? If anyone’s done this before, I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re about to finalize a booking for late July near the Pink Granite Coast. We’re wondering about the traffic jams that could make our trip miserable, given how famous the place is—we’re excited to see it too. Could it get pretty bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
In June 2020, my wife and I will be visiting Brittany and Normandy. We’d especially love to explore villages that aren’t part of the usual tourist routes. We enjoy traveling off the beaten path.
We’re reaching out to you all to share which villages we should check out in these two regions.
Thanks.
Here’s the account of the start of our 5/7-day trip in Normandy (then off to the neighbors in... Brittany):
Day 01 from Valenciennes to Mont Saint-Michel: Sunday, September 6, 2020.
After a detour through the south of Lille (picking up our son), we head southwest around 10:00 AM, taking the highways via Amiens, the Pont de Normandie, and Avranches to arrive at "the Mount" around 4:00 PM after 515 km.
Parking P3 (14.20 € for 24 hours) for residents and hotels, located 50 meters from the start of the free round-trip shuttle included in the parking price (not too many tourists at this "late" Sunday hour), and we arrive at the hotel around 4:30 PM.
Triple room with a view of the bay at Hôtel Du Guesclin for 1 night.
From 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM, we tackle the complete tour of the ramparts counterclockwise from the Porte de l’Avancée, via the Tour du Nord (near the abbey entrance), passing in front of the abbey to reach the Tour Gabriel, and back to the start: stunning, not crowded, great weather, and amazing views.
Dinner in the beautiful panoramic restaurant of the hotel, with a bay view at a "window" table (such a nice touch!).
Of course, the day isn’t over, and we can then wander through a deserted main street and its unique atmosphere (photos below labeled "night" even though it’s only 9:15/9:30 PM). What a privilege!
Day 02 from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Cast: Monday, September 7, 2020.
After a memorable sunrise over the bay and a sit-down breakfast, we climb the steps to the Abbey for our online-reserved time slot (9:30 AM, 11 € per person).
The "masked group" is quite large, though within normal limits, and the one-way Covid-marked route (with a small brochure) prevents crowds. No need to rush, and 1 hour 15 minutes later, we’re done. Sure, it doesn’t have the charm of a guided tour, but we’re not complaining about being there!
We pick up our bags at the hotel, take the shuttle back, grab the car at Parking P3, and head "south" to Dol-de-Bretagne, 26 km/25 minutes away.
Around noon, the small town is very quiet, and parking in front of the Saint-Samson Cathedral** is free. Across the street, the tourist office is generous with info and gives us a great walking map/circuit: Cathedral, a stroll near the ramparts, the historic center** with its typical shopping streets and half-timbered houses, all covered at a leisurely pace in 45 minutes. Then a picnic on-site.
It’s another 50 km/50 minutes to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and the Armor Conseil agency for the apartment keys (Résidence du Casino, 72 m², 5th floor, 2 bedrooms, beach 20 meters away, insane morning and evening views, bed linen rental at Ohier 50 meters away, Carrefour City supermarket, and a bakery 200 meters away, plus a town center that hasn’t changed much in 25/30 years. Really, really nice.
After settling in, a short walk is a must up to the heights of the Isle neighborhood behind the seaside residence... memories. Strangely, the well-known Crêperie Bretan’Or seems to be closed, as does the venerable Hôtel du Centre et des Plages (formerly "des Voyageurs")??
And for this reunion evening with the resort, a great crêpe/galette dinner at La Régal’ette, just 100 meters away.
Day’s total: 12 km of walking for sightseeing.
I’m traveling alone from my remote Pyrenees home to Roissy Airport, arriving at Austerlitz Station. I’m a bit nervous about getting to the airport—could you suggest a route?
While you’re at it, maybe you could recommend a budget hotel near the airport?
I’m looking into a trip to Paris around mid-February. I’d love to know more about the temperature (weather) in Paris, museum access (closures or anything else), how easy it is to get around on foot (slippery due to ice?), public transport, etc.
Also, are there any events or activities I absolutely shouldn’t miss? I could adjust my dates based on what you know.
On another note, I’d love to catch a hockey game. Are there any around Paris? I’m happy to watch a few games no matter the level 🏒🥅
FYI, I’m not afraid of the cold since I’m from Quebec 😁😆😆🧑🌾
This summer, we’re planning a family trip to Corsica.
We’ve chosen Sari Solenzara because we want to combine: sea, mountain hikes, natural pools, canyoning, and peace and quiet. Does this choice seem like a good one to you?
Second question: which airport should we prioritize to have the easiest roads to access?
Hi everyone,
We’ve wanted to visit Alsace for a long time to see the famous and well-known "Christmas markets."
Apart from the one in Strasbourg, could you give us some tips on other markets (Sélestat, Colmar, Mulhouse)?
Also, any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, or things to see, etc.?
I know my question is a bit "basic," but we really need some expert advice.
Thanks in advance to all.
I’m planning to spend three days in the Annecy region. What would you recommend visiting? Just so you know, I love nature and enjoy walking, but I prefer hikes that aren’t longer than two hours.
We’ll be back from a river cruise with a stop in Strasbourg for just the afternoon and evening. We’d like to spend the afternoon in either Colmar or Kaysersberg and then return to Strasbourg for dinner and a stroll afterward. I’d love your advice on which spot—Colmar or Kaysersberg—you’d recommend. I’ve noticed there’s a bus line 145 that runs from Colmar to Kaysersberg, taking about 40 minutes and costing around 5 €.
Is there a train or another way to get directly from Strasbourg that’s quick and affordable? I think a taxi would be pretty expensive. The issue is we don’t have much time—our flight is the next morning. We’ve already visited Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr about 10 years ago and loved them all. Our river cruise covers the Main, Rhine, and Danube.
We’re really looking forward to seeing places in Germany, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, among others.
My husband, our 1-year-old son, and I have decided to head to southern France in mid-September.
We don’t know the region at all—it’ll be our first time.
We only have 9 days, and we’re really torn between Provence for its gorgeous villages, its "slow" vibe, Provençal markets, flavors, and colors, and the famous French Riviera for its beaches, ports, and because it’s intrigued us for so long.
I found a beautiful place to stay in a *mas*, but it’s not in the region at all (it’s in the Gard).
My husband found a place he really likes in Saint-Aygulf, but before booking, I’m hesitating and wanted to get some advice.
Obviously, with only 9 days, we clearly have to choose. I thought about splitting the trip in two, but that seems like a bad idea for two reasons: first, we’re traveling with a little one, and second, if we spread ourselves too thin, we risk not seeing anything properly.
Since we don’t know the area at all, I’m worried the coastline might be too built-up with big buildings, etc., like Lloret de Mar (no offense to anyone who loves it—it’s just not what we’re looking for).
Anyway… what would you recommend for a first 9-day trip to the south?
Hi
Does anyone know a reliable and affordable shuttle service from Roissy airport to Lille train station?
I know there are TGVs, but we’d like to avoid a long wait at Roissy station.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
BD
Hi there,
We’re heading to Forcalquier as a couple and would love to explore the Valensole area, including the Verdon Gorge, etc. We’ll be there for 5 days, so I’d like to put together a little rundown of things to see, plus the best tips—what to avoid, what to recommend, restaurants, and so on.
Thanks so much!
Hi everyone, after a stay in the South and one in the North, I’m planning a mini road trip in Corsica (Bastia-Bastia) in June to explore places I haven’t seen yet. Since we’re heading to the mountains later this year, we’ve deliberately skipped the Corsican mountains. Could you share your thoughts and, most importantly, suggest things to see? We love nature, reasonable hikes, peaceful spots, and small villages. No cities. No boat excursions (yes, that includes Piana and Scandola). We already know the area between Bastia and Calvi.
June 7
Flight arrival in Bastia and night at the hotel
June 8
Drive to Calvi (beach and/or fortress)
Meal at Les Boucaniers restaurant
Night in Calvi
June 9
Walk from Calvi fortress to Alga beach
Charcuterie platter at A Casetta Calvi
Night in Calvi
June 10
Drive from Calvi to Piana
Buvette du col de la Croix and visit the orientation table
Chemin des muletiers (Muleteers’ Path)
Or
Sentier de la source des roches bleues (Blue Rocks Spring Trail) counterclockwise
Or (less scenic) Tête du chien (Dog’s Head, starting at the parking lot)
Dinner at Épicerie Castellani in Piana
Night in Piana
June 11
Drive from Piana to Propriano
Arone beach and meal at Le Café de la plage
Drive along the coast, stopping wherever we like
Night in Propriano
June 12
Hike starting from Campomoro in the Jardin du Vent (Wind Garden), and visit the Genoese tower of Campomoro
Meal in Campomoro: restaurant Chez Pierre Paul U spuntinu
Night in Propriano
June 13
Around Propriano (avoid Capu Laurosu beach—sewage treatment plant...)
Night in Propriano
June 14
Drive from Propriano to Bastia airport
Meal at L’Éternisula in Zonza
Aiguilles de Bavella (Hole of the Bomb)
Night at the same hotel as arrival
Hi everyone,
I’m spending two days in Lille. Any places you’d recommend? I was thinking of visiting Vieux Lille, which I’ve been told about.
Would you have any shops, museums, or typical restaurants to suggest for a great time?
