Landmark tower

Posted on by collymarples

It might be a grey day but it’s our first look at the iconic Parisian landmark that is the Eiffel Tower!

The original plan to build a tower 300 metres high was developed as part of preparations for the World’s Fair of 1889.

The idea was to “study the possibility of erecting an iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars with a square base, 125 metres across and 300 metres tall”.

It was Gustave Eiffel, an entrepreneur, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, both engineers, and Stephen Sauvestre, an architect, whose plans were accepted.

Theirs was one of 107 projects put forward so this iconic landmark could have looked very different.

The construction work began in January 1887 and was finished on March 31, 1889. Only taking just over two years to complete.

Lots more to come from this lovely landmark.

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Gay Paris!

Posted on by collymarples

Hot on the heels of our Corsican adventure we’re heading back to France again. This time to the romantic, enduring capital city of Paris!

First time on the Eurostar from St Pancras station. Highly recommended! Fast, comfy, cheap and easy.

We were on the earliest train possible – 5.40am! Cheapest fare and gets us there by mid day.

Less than three and a half hours later we’ve arrived at the Gare Du Nord! Ready to take on Paris!!

Pretty Propriano

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It’s our final day in gorgeous Corsica and it ends on a high with possibly my favourite beach of all – Propriano!

The curved golden sands of the Plage du Lido provide a perfect last stop on our scenic tour.

Ten days in Corsica gave us a chance to scratch the surface of this pretty island. From its rugged interior to its numerous gorgeous beaches.

Hiring a car is definitely the best way to see the most of the island.

And that’s it for now folks! Goodbye from gorgeous Corsica 🙂

Palombaggia beach

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Yet more stunning beaches are in our sights today. This time the glorious Palombaggia.

It’s the most famous beach in Corsica. This vast expanse of sand stretches over 1.5 km with extra fine white sand. 

The beach is lined with small dunes and pine trees providing shade in summer. It’s a stunning place.

With its stone pines, white sand, turquoise water and views over the Cerbicales Islands, it is another postcard perfect place to soak up some rays.

Even though the evening is drawing in we can’t help but be tempted into those incredible waters.

As the shadows lengthen I have to be physically prised away from this little piece of paradise!

Palombaggia, by virtue of being one of the most stunning beaches on the island, is naturally a tourist magnet but it is definitely well worth popping on the itinerary.

Piscia di Gallu hiking

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As well as stunning beaches Corsica also as an amazingly rugged interior full of spectacular scenery to explore.

Here we check out a solitary hiking hut which offers wide ranging views over the surrounding countryside.

We’re heading for the Piscia di Gallu hiking trail that will take us through some of the most incredible scenery on Corsica to see the most beautiful waterfall on the island.

Th walk starts off from a sizeable parking lot with a few pretty little restaurants, it starts off nice and easy with a ramble alongside the river and into the forest which is filled with fragrant Corsican Laricciu pine trees.

But very quickly the going starts to get a bit more arduous, especially for the human sloth that is me!

Below is just one of the many impressive rock formations – this is the sentinel rock on route to the waterfall in the forest of L’Ospedale.

While walking you’ll see numerous strangely shaped boulders which are known as Tafoni. 

These are rocks that have been hollowed out by erosion of the wind and the rain.  Some were used in the past as huts by the shepherds and are called Orii.

Hilariously enough, after an hour and a half of sweaty trekking I don’t actually bother to make the final descent to the actual waterfall (the reason for the trip)!!

The hubby mountain goated his way down but of course didn’t take any photos! Doh!

Instead enjoy a few snaps of this serene lake in the middle of nowhere!

Bonifacio

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Hopping in the hire car again it’s onwards in our exploration of Corsica. This time we’re heading to the pretty town of Bonifacio.

Located at Corsica’s southernmost tip, Bonifacio is a bustling harbour town with an impressive citadel.

The town itself stretches along a narrow, top-heavy promontory where houses perch precariously along the cliff tops.

The port is where much of Bonifacio’s tourist trade is concentrated, including ferries across to nearby Sardinia, boat tours and a handful of bars, clubs and restaurants along the quayside.

The old city is a maze like web of alleyways lined by ramshackle medieval houses and chapels with faded pastel plaster work.

The best way to appreciate the town is via a boat trip around the beautiful waters.

From the boat you can truly appreciate the amazing limestone rock formations.

You can also get a pretty good view from up on the town cliffs. Above you can see the famous ‘grain of sand’ rock formation.

Bonifacio is a beautiful little town which is well worth a stop on your Corsican itinerary.

Beautiful beaches

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Corsica has no end of stunning beaches to chose from. Here’s a selection of some of them!

Beautiful San cipriano beach is just one of the beautiful swathes of white sand.

So enjoy lots of lovely azure waters and endless white sands.

Take me back . . . . I can still feel the warm breeze and gently lapping water.

After enjoying various labour intensive activities such as swimming, lounging, sunbathing and people watching, we then head onto another wonderful beach Calla Rossa.

Bastia

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Our overnight stop is in the town of Bastia. A bit battered and run down but with artwork and colour on each street.

Bastia was the principal capital of Genoese Corsica, and it became French only in the late 1760s.

Artwork and street scribbles adorn many of the walls around the city centre.

Many of the buildings look somewhat precarious, if not downright unsafe!

There are more Baroque churches in this city than any other on Corsica.

The most noticeable one is the twin towers of the St Jean Baptiste cathedral which stands prominently above the bustling quayside.

The Vieux Port – Old Port – is the busiest part of the town with many tall, gently decaying, buildings housing restaurants and cafes.

Corte

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Heading onwards through the winding mountain roads of Corsica we’re heading for the heart of this enchanting island.

Our destination is the curious town of Corte. Once the capital of Corsica during the reign of Pasquale Paoli.

Corte is set in geographical centre of the island and was but governed by Pascal Paoli, the father of the Corsican independence movement, after he stormed the Citadel in 1755. Hence it is still known as the spiritual capital of the island.

Enchanting coloured shops and restaurants line the winding streets of Corte as you head to the central attraction – the citadel, imposing set on a rocky outcrop with a commanding view of the whole town.

The citadel’s oldest portion – the château known as the Nid d’Aigle, meaning ‘Eagle’s Nest’ – was built at the highest point in 1419.

Little towns

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Corsica is full of delightful little towns, each with their own unique characters and quirks.

We spent a day floating about visiting them en-route to our next destination.

Here’s the hubby at Algajola. It has a 16th century fort on the seafront and a long sandy beach.

Algajola is small with its older buildings clustered around its 16th century castle. Next to this is a citadel built in the same stone with a protruding circular watch tower.

Next on the road trip is the beach at St Florent. The town itself is small with a maze of narrow streets and passages.

Plus there’s a lively waterfront with a row of restaurants.

Like many of the Corsican towns Saint Florent has a Genoise citadel, built in the 15th century. It’s a sturdy round monument that looks out across the gulf below.