FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Bastia

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in northern Corsica each year. The main ones are listed below.

On May 1^st, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues around Corsica.

Over this 90-day period, Bastia organizes 90 concerts, stage shows, exhibitions and other events. Unmissable!

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. Festivities in northern Corsica include concerts and dance parties. At nightfall, dazzling fireworks displays light up the skies over many Corsican towns and villages.

This celebration, still very popular in Corsica, is marked by the faithful with several religious ceremonies and processions through the streets.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

On this day, French citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Bastia, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Bastia

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	5/41	14/57	67/2.6	Not the best period to go
February	5/41	14/57	57/2.2	Not the best period to go
March	7/45	16/61	60/2.4	Not the best period to go
April	9/48	18/64	76/3.0	Not the best period to go
May	12/54	22/72	50/2.0	Good period to go
June	16/61	26/79	41/1.6	Good period to go
July	19/66	29/84	13/0.5	Good period to go
August	19/66	29/84	21/0.8	Good period to go
September	16/61	26/79	81/3.2	Not the best period to go
October	13/55	22/72	127/5.0	Not the best period to go
November	9/48	17/63	114/4.5	Not the best period to go
December	6/43	14/57	93/3.7	Not the best period to go

Northern Corsica Airports

Bastia Poretta Airport

Bastia's Poretta Airport is located about 22 kilometres (14 miles) from the city centre.

• One terminal for both international and domestic flights

• By car
  • Accessible via the N193 road.
  • Free lot with 30 parking spaces.
  • Parking facility: EUR 2.00 for 15 to 30 minutes, EUR 2.50 for 30 to 45 minutes, EUR 3 for 1 hour and EUR 14 for 24 hours.
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• By bus
  • Autobus Bastiais operates shuttle bus services between the airport and the city centre. Travel time is about 35 minutes and the one-way fare is EUR 9.
• Taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the arrivals hall. The daytime fare to the city centre is about EUR 45. Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., expect a night fare of around EUR 65.

• Services: bars and restaurants, newsstand, and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 54 54 54

• Website: http://bastia.aeroport.fr/en/

• One terminal for both international and domestic flights

• By car
  • Accessible via the N197, then the D81 roads (Route de l'Aéroport). Travel time to the city centre is about 8 minutes.
  • A paid parking area with 200 spaces is available (EUR 1.00 for 15 to 30 minutes, EUR 1.10 for 30 to 45 minutes, EUR 1.20 for 1 hour and EUR 6.00 for 24 hours).
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• Taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals hall.

• Services: bars, vending machines, newsstand, and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 54 54 54
• Website: http://calvi.aeroport.fr/en/

GETTING AROUND Bastia

To discover northern Corsica, the simplest option is to rent a car or motorcycle/scooter. And for more athletic visitors, bicycles are also an excellent choice!

By rail

Getting around northern Corsica by rail is fairly slow, but does offer spectacular views of the area's magnificent landscapes. Trains connect Bastia and Calvi in the north with Ajaccio in the south via Ponte Lecchia and Corte in the centre of the island. You can also take a fantastic journey along the astounding coastline from Calvi to L'Île Rousse on the little U Trinichellu train affectionately referred to as a “gondola on rails”.

By car and motorcycle

In both northern and southern Corsica, renting a car or a motorcycle is the best way to get around the island. Both types of vehicles may be easily rented at the airport and in the largest cities of Northern Corsica.

By taxi

If you would rather not rent a vehicle, taxis are sometimes the only other way to get around Corsica, to and from the airport.

By bicycle

Only recommended for the most athletic visitors as Corsica can be pretty steep! Bastia offers numerous quality bike lanes, but the latter are seldom found outside of larger cities. There are a number of bike rental shops in the island's main towns and cities.

On foot

Of course, walking is without doubt the ideal way to visit the historic centre of towns and villages in Corsica and admire the island's landscapes.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in northern Corsica, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: place Saint-Nicolas, 20200 Bastia
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Saturday and Sunday)
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 54 20 40
• Website: www.bastia-tourisme.com

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: place Saint-Nicolas, 20200 Bastia
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Saturday and Sunday)
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 54 20 40
• Website: www.bastia-tourisme.com

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. Bastia counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)

call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Tap water is safe to drink in Northern Corsica.

Administrative formalities

Foreign embassies and consulates in France

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

The directory made available online by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in French only) includes addresses and contact details for all foreign embassies and consulates in France:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/annuaires-et-adresses-du-maedi/ambassades-et-consulats-etrangers-en-france

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Bastia and France, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without the 0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Rome

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS

Usually open Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Northern Corsica like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. Still, if the service is appreciated (in restaurants, hotels, at the hairdresser...), you may leave an extra 5 to 15%.