Summer Diary: #7 Porto Vecchio ⎪Corsica

Going to the beach, and I would even say, a new beach, every single day is just great, just as walking around barefoot or dining outdoor every day. At least until you hear a feeble call to reconnect, albeit briefly, with signs of actual civilization.

It is with these considerations in mind that we decided to go to Porto Vecchio and left very early one bright morning.

What is now built on the remains of Roman ruins that the Genoese occupiers wanted to save as much as possible, is indeed an old port (Porto Vecchio), conveniently located between the sea and the mountains. What was undoubtedly less convenient over the centuries was the malaria brought on by the mosquitoes that simply thrived in the marshy area.

The remains of the walls protecting the city embrace a lively center rich with shops, restaurants and tacky souvenirs shops - signs of civilization, sic. The best thing to do then is to walk with our noses in the air and take in the rustic authenticity of the rough houses, bridges and balconies. The walk to the main square is a hazardous one because of cars and one can only wonder why on earth the city center is not a pedestrian area. This makes sense given how narrow the streets are, making driving, parking and walking altogether a perilous experience.

It is worth the effort, mind you, especially when once we reach the main square - place de la République - we admire the old church in its center (St-Jean Baptiste) and start getting conveniently lost in the maze of less touristy streets.

Now, we did not manage to spot any Roman soldiers...but we did feel the presence of a past made of conquests - including the one that defeated malaria (which, if my memory serves me right, is still the main cause of death in the world).

Credits: TheDaydreamerDiary