Excursion Illustrious men tour at Calvi

The area of Calvi, in northwest Corsica, boasts over 600 miles (966km) of coastline and in such a small place in the world holds the rich history of famous men. Discover, according to legend that Christopher Columbus came from Calvi, which was at the time part of the Genoese Empire. The anarchist uprising against the Genoese was led by Pascal Paoli from 1729 to 1768. Admiral Nelson lost his right eye at Calvi during the siege of the citadel. Even Napoléon Bonaparte was to be kept at bay by the British with the use of a Corsican defensive measure, while Napoleon was successively both ally and enemy of Pasquale Paoli and Horacio Nelson.

Calvi's Citadel

From the port area, walk to the house in which lived the discoverer of the New World, Christopher Columbus. It is still visible today but in a poor state. Near the citadel a plaque states that Columbus was born in Calvi around 1436. This conviction relies on the oral tradition, still very vivid in Corsica, according to which Columbus was the son of a fisherman living in the times when Calvi was ruled by the Genoese. The advocates of this theory note that Columbus gave his discoveries the names of Corsican villages like Haiti, inspired from the village of Aiti. They add that Columbus hid his Corsican origins from his Spanish supporters, because Calvi inhabitants had massacred a regiment from Aragon in 1421.

Ile Rousse

Board your coach and drive to Ile Rousse, a second important town of the region, and learn about Pasquale Paoli, contemporary to Napoléon who became his enemy. Filippo Antonio Pasquale di Paoli was a Corsican patriot and leader, the president of the Executive Council of the General Diet of the People of Corsica. Paoli designed and wrote the Constitution of the state. Following the defeat of Corsican forces at the Battle of Ponte Novu, he was forced into exile in Britain where he was a celebrated figure. He returned after the French Revolution which he was initially supportive of and later broke with the revolutionaries and helped to create the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom which lasted between 1794 and 1796. After the island was re-occupied by France he again went into exile in Britain where he died in 1807. The American Sons of Liberty were inspired by Paoli. Ebenezer McIntosh, a leader of the Sons of Liberty, named his son Paschal Paoli McIntosh in honor of him. In 1768, the editor of the New York Journal described Paoli as "the greatest man on earth". Many places in the United States are named after him. Inhabited since very ancient times (between 5000-3000 BC), l'Île-Rousse was in 1000 BC a small, prosperous town dependent on Tyre in Phoenicia, called Agilla. Destroyed by the Phoenician fleet of Calaris, Agilla came under Roman rule as Rubico Rocega (red rock) until the 4th century AD.

Continue towards Notre Dame de la Serra a take this opportunity to learn about the battles of Nelson. The loss of sight in his right eye at the Seige of Calvi was at the origin of Nelson's ability to claim at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 why he disobeyed orders (not for the first time in his life) and went on to a resounding victory. Discover a small chapel surrounded by a courtyard with an imposing statue of the Notre Dame de la Serra. From here, a stunning panoramic view takes in the whole bay of Calvi and the Réginu Valley.

You will also learn that ironically Napoleon was to be kept at bay by the British with the use of a Corsican defensive measure and he was successively both ally and enemy of Pasquale Paoli and Horacio Nelson.

Your tour returns to Calvi with a short, approximate 15 minute drive.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2 hours over uneven ground, cobblestones and unpaved surfaces. Total distance walked is approximately 2km (1.25 miles). This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utlise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bottled water from the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Calvi's Citadel, Ile Rousse, Notre Dame de la Serra

Note