Facing the Tuscan coast, Bastia has all the charm of an old Mediterranean town, with its narrow streets lined with tall houses whose discreet elegance is enhanced by painted shutters. Founded in 1378 by the Genoese, who made it the island's capital, its name comes from the bastille that dominates it. It's a lively town where you'll love taking a stroll around the Place Saint Nicolas, the meeting place of the Bastians, or the lively and colourful Place du Marché. After a tour of the old port, take a walk along rue Napoléon to discover the town's shops and beautiful boutiques. A stop at Etablissements Mattei, creators of the famous Cap Corse aperitif, is a must. Other more spiritual wonders include the Baroque churches that covered the town in the 17th and 18th centuries.
