During your stay in L'Ile-Rousse and the Balagne region, meet Guy Savelli, a history buff who will tell you all about the history of the Balagne region and Corsica through a rich collection of ancient objects.
In the 1990s, Mr Guy Savelli created this private museum dedicated to the history of Corsica. Perched on the heights of Corbara, it is housed in his private home.

Here you can discover portraits, maps, period posters, handwritten letters, old musical instruments, numerous books on Corsican history, as well as 16th, 17th and 18th century paintings, pencil drawings and parchment manuscripts from the 12th to 17th centuries.

The museum also houses an extraordinary collection of styli, traditional Corsican knives, pistols, coins from the independent era and many other surprising objects.

Guy Savelli also collects everything relating to Pascal Paoli, u babbu di a patria. This private museum, ranked number 1 on TripAdvisor, is a must-see, guided by the owner.

Discover the Baroque collegiate church, listed as a historic monument, with its Carrara marble high altar and side altars, paintings, historic organs and Musée du Trésor (Treasure Museum) housing a collection of liturgical ornaments!
Discover the religious heritage of Corbara's Collegiata A Nunziata at the Treasure Museum.

Here you'll discover numerous works of art housed in the two rooms of the former sacristy.
Admire two 17th-century pieces of furniture, a rich collection of priestly vestments dating from the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, many of which have been restored, 17th- and 18th-century silverware, a bull from Pope Benedict XIV elevating the church to the rank of Collegiate Church on March 15, 1752, and 17th-century reliquaries.

An exceptional collection not to be missed, explained by a passionate guide.
Tours are guided, and the museum takes part in the Nuit des musées and the Journées du patrimoine.

Completed in 1375, the chapel occupied the arms room of the old castle of Corbara. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view, making it a must-do if you're visiting Corbara.
Completed in 1375 by Guido de Sabellis' descendant, Manonne, the "castel" (today's chapel) is located in the locality of U Forte, which marks the birth of a major urbanization around the village of Corbara, with the creation of hamlets and neighborhoods that would come to an end in the 18th century.

Partly destroyed by the Genoese, the building was named "Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs" (Our Lady of Seven Sorrows). In 1700, the Madonna chapel was established in the arms room of the old Corbara castel.

Saint-Dominique convent was founded in 1456 by two Franciscan priests of the Observantine Order. After being destroyed during the Revolution, the Dominicans rebuilt it as a place of study. It is now occupied by the community of Saint John.
The convent of Saint-François d'Aregno was founded by the Friars Minor of the Observance in 1456, representing one of the oldest convents in the Franciscan province of Corsica.
During the French Revolution, the monastery's property became "national property".
From 1857 to 1864, the Dominicans set about rebuilding the convent. The Dominicans restored it as a school for local children. Later, a philosophy and theology college was added for religious students from the PARIS province. After the separation of church and state, the Dominicans were expelled and the building became the property of the commune of Corbara. Left abandoned, German and Austrian prisoners were placed inside.
Then, in 1927, the convent returned to Dominican hands for 66 years.
In 1993, the friars of Saint-Jean took over the convent following the departure of the elders. Pasquale de Paoli took advantage of his many visits to gather his friends and advisors from the Balagne region. Illustrious figures such as De Didon, Peyrefitte, Roncalli and Maupassant have stayed here. It is thus a veritable emblem for the commune of Corbara.

This 17th-century Baroque edifice was built to replace the former Piazza Save church, which had become too small. An annex of Aléria Cathedral, it was elevated to the rank of Collegiate Church by Pope Benedict XIV.
In 1641, work began on the construction of a new church to replace the former parish church in the Villa di Mezzo district of Piazza Savé, which had become too small to accommodate the congregation. In 1686, the structural and finishing work was completed. At this date, the church had a nave with a main nave and four side chapels dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, St. James the Apostle, Our Lady of Good Help and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as three other unconsecrated altars, while the choir had a high altar. The building also features a wooden pulpit and a stoup in the middle section of the church.

A second major renovation campaign took place in the mid-18th century, focusing on the choir, with the erection of a new high altar and the installation of stalls. The work was completed in 1752. On this date, the church was elevated to the rank of collegiate church by Pope Benedict XIV, as attested by the papal bull preserved by the commune. Over the course of its history, the church counted from 2 to 8 canons, as Canon Casanova points out in his book on the history of the Corsican Church under the Ancien Régime.

In the course of the 19th century, further work was carried out on the building, as highlighted by parish priest Marchini in a letter sent to the grand vicars capitular on September 13, 1905. He listed the main works carried out during the aforementioned century: repair of the choir in 1815, reconstruction of the frontispiece in 1855, tiling of the nave in 1866, the bell tower in 1899, and the nave roof structure in 1901. In the final years of the 19th century, the painter Sicuri adorned the church with monumental paintings.

During the 3rd quarter of the 20th century, a new restoration project was completed in 1974, focusing on the exterior plasterwork.
From 1992 to 1993, renovation work was carried out on the facade of the building, which was listed in its entirety on the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments on September 6, 1985. Further work was carried out at the beginning of the 21st century.

In 2002, under the direction of Jacques Moulin, architecte D.P.L.G, architecte en chef des Monuments Historiques, a collection of liturgical ornaments, two pieces of sacristy furniture and a processional canopy donated by Emperor Napoleon III were installed in the sacristy.... In 2006, the church tower and north elevation were restored, and in 2009, the main facade and south side elevation.

On March 18, 2013, the church was listed as a historic monument.

Located on the edge of the village, it was built during the 6th and 7th century. Mass is celebrated here every year on 29 June. With its breathtaking view, this marvel provides the local people with an ideal place to meditate.

Notre Dame du Lazio in Corbara is an ancient sanctuary of Balagne. It dates from the Middle Ages and was rebuilt towards the end of the 18th century.

This building located next to the Collegiate church dates from the early 17th century. It is the seat of the Friary and the venue of various religious celebrations, includiing Saint Antoine (17 January) and Holy Week. The nave is decorated with paintings by artist Pietro Sicuri.

Located on one of the main squares of the village, Piazza di a Chjesa Vecchja, the chapel was rebuilt in the mid-17th century on the site of the old Medieval church which had been the parish church until the early 17th century when it became too small to accommodate all the followers.
Refurbished in the 18th, 19th and early 21st centuries.

The Pietra lighthouse marks the entrance to Corsica's north-western coastline. It marks the end of your visit to the island of Pietra, where you can admire a magnificent view of the hinterland and the Balagne seaside.
A wonderful walk!
It dates from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century, during the reign of Napoleon III. It is built on the highest point of the island of La Pietra, linked by a dike to L'Ile-Rousse. It marks the entrance to Corsica's north-western coastline. The lighthouse known as "La Pietra" was part of the second wave of lighthouses to be built in Corsica, along with the lighthouse at Ajaccio.
The current lighthouse is a square tower, centered on a square base, in smooth masonry, painted white, with the lantern painted green. The lighthouse is powered by solar panels and automated.

The interior of the lighthouse is open to the public during the summer! Here you can discover a unique museographic space, comprising three interpretation rooms that tell the story of Pietra Island and the lighthouse:

- Room 1: Vertical map cabinet -
A collection of historical plans and documents tracing the evolution of the islands and the lighthouse, highlighting architectural transformations and maritime developments.
- Room 2: Magic Lantern Lighthouse -
An interactive model of the lighthouse illustrating the evolution of lighting over the decades, with light projections to visualize changes in the lighthouse's illumination.
- Room 3: Technical room -
An immersive projection on sea-level fluctuations, accompanied by historical bas-reliefs forming a chronological frieze of the Pietra's evolution, enriched by visual and sound elements.

Discover the island of La Pietra and its lighthouse, recently embellished and in the process of being planted. Enjoy the beautiful pedestrian promenade and marvel at the spectacular panoramic views over the town, the villages of Balagne and the majestic surrounding mountains.

Whether you're a nature lover or a fan of breathtaking views, this must-see site in L'Ile-Rousse is sure to please.

This military building from the 16th century features a round tower whose purpose was to ward off attacks from the Barbaresque corsairs. It was restored in the early 1980s.

Created in 1834 and inaugurated in 1852, this pleasant square is the heart of the town. Surrounded by ancient plane trees, it is an inviting spot featuring a fountain known as "the pump" which is decorated with statues, including a bust of the town's founder, Pasquale de Paoli.

In L'Ile-Rousse, the bust of Pasquale Paoli takes centre stage on the square of the same name. Paoli founded this town during the Corsican Revolution. He is the father of a democratic constitution, a national hero whose wisdom shone out across Europe.

Commonly known as "Monks' church", it was built between 1825 and 1850 by Tony Cardella, the great Corsican master of the 19th century. Some of his paintings can be found inside, including his "Stations of the Cross".

In 1853, the people of L'Ile-Rousse wanted their own community of the children of Saint Francis. The house adjoined the Church of Mercy and for a time was the town's only place of worship. It houses the private school of Notre Dame.

Built in 1887 to replace the old parish church of Le Scalu and its successor, Notre Dame la Miséricorde, which had become too small. This church was more spacious and occupied a more central position in the expanding town.

Built in 1844 by the mayor, Mr Piccioni, essentially to replace the outdoor market. The region's producers can be found here every morning.

Now the Town Hall, this building built in 1763 by Pasquale de Paoli was occupied by the military headquarters of L'Ile Rousse and the King's lieutenance, at the initiative of the Count of Vaux.
It was a military estate until 1904, when it was called the General Ambert barracks. Then, the mayor of the time, President Gavini, bought it and one day made it the seat of the town hall and the social services. The gabelous had their post in this old barracks (today the town hall) as well as a shelter at the bottom of the small cove under the Pietra lighthouse. This building was marked not so long ago on the staff maps. However, it was rebuilt and is now used as a marine archaeology shed.

The old gunpowder magazine named Tour du Scalu stands on the current Place de la Mairie. Refurbished in 2012, it was built in the 17th century when it went by the name of Tour des Fabiani. It was a salt warehouse before becoming a gunpowder magazine and, finally, a prison.

This square takes its name from the spring, Di U Canone. The wash house built around the spring is no longer in use. Succumb to the charm of the blue-shuttered houses and the traditional biscuit factory.

Le Scalo is an old natural fishing port that's commonly known as the "fishermen's jetty". So it's no surprise that the structure has always had close links with the fishermen's market located at the bottom of Rue Notre Dame. This market was refurbished in 2002.

Le Scalo port is an ancient, natural fishing port commonly known as the "fishermen's jetty". The structure has indeed always had close links with the fishermen's market located at the bottom of Rue Notre Dame and which was renovated in 2002.

The Piccioni palace is the highest and one of the most famous buildings in the town of L'Ile-Rousse. Magnate Sebastien Piccioni, dissatisfied with a mere town-centre abode, ordered the construction of this veritable château which is now the Hôtel Napoléon.

The Mermaid by Corsican artist Gabriel Diana is a lost-wax cast bronze sculpture of human dimensions. Competing beautifully with her Copenhagen counterpart, A Sirenella sits on a granite rock close to the shore.

The ancient foundry's bellows support is still visible in this simple single-vault construction. It was in ruins before being converted into a fountain and decorated with a marble bas-relief feature by Toni Casalonga which represents the four seasons.

A small construction of earth which hides a 120-seat auditorium. An original venue used by singers and musicians from Corsica and beyond, for research, experiments, rehearsals and recordings.

A transformation of the choir area of this religious building, during the 18th century, included the addition of wall paintings in the apse by Toni Casalonga. The church also features two small bell towers and a remarkable organ which was built in 1881. Annual celebrations are held on 15 August and 8 December.

This former stockyard is a listed historical monument which was converted in 1974 into an open-air theatre. Restored in 1999, this outdoor venue enjoys views over the Laziu Valley, the Corbara Convent and Mount Sant'Anghjulu.

The Casa Musicale is an 18th-century mansion which, since 1995, has been a venue for the Centre Voce artists who stay here as well as others who come for various events and discussions. It is also a guesthouse.

This 18th-century mansion house, now a boutique hotel, has always belonged to the prominent Franceschini family of Balagne. It is a magnificent seaview property featuring three rooms and two suites, as well as a reputed restaurant.

The former Presbytery in the village centre is one of the oldest buildings in Pigna. Fully renovated, it is now an art and craft shop run by the Casa di l'Artigiani association.

The Parish of Santa Reparata is located on a spur where the church and bell tower stand tall. They were built during the 16th and 17th centuries, most probably on the site of an older building of which only the apse and the south wall of the choir still remain.

This 18th-century Baroque-style church is dedicated to San Roccu. Every 16 August, in honour of the saint, the population gathers "in allegria" for two days of celebrations and a torchlit procession.

The friary of Sant'Antone, behind Santa Reparata church, was built in 1600 and restored in 2005. In 1618, it was fitted with wooden stalls made by the Genoese master, Joannes Andreas Lucchini, and frescoes were painted on the ceilings.

The chapel belongs to the municipality and stands on the edge of Santa Reparata on the road to Monticello. Dating from the 17th century, it is dedicated to the illustrious Franciscan preacher from Tuscany. San Bernardinu is celebrated on 20 May.

Dating from the 18th century, it was originally an oratory. It features some marble frescoes and a superb wooden sculpture of Christ by Antoine Franceschini, a village craftsman who also had the gift of healing. The roof was restored in 2003.

During the Middle Ages, the fiefdom of Santa Reparata surrounded the old castle and four towers of Palmentu. The oldest of the towers dates back more than a thousand years. Two of them are still partially visible and have been converted into housing.

Built by Capuchin monks in 1606, it was abandoned during the Revolution.

In the heart of Balagne, on one of Corsica's most beautiful bays, an unforgettable experience awaits you at L'Ile-Rousse, the ideal place to explore and unwind.

Santa Reparata straddles the hills of Santa Suzanna and the Mont Sant'Angelu. Take your pick, between the blue-green blend of the Palazzi Valley and L'Ile-Rousse Bay, or the wooded countryside of the green Reginu Valley.

Explore one of the oldest villages in Balagne, and the hamlets that stretch majestically across the hills of Mont de Guido, Borgu and Pietralta, just below Mont Sant'Angelo.
Travel to the heart of Moorish architecture by visiting Corbara, where a certain native Davia became Empress of Morocco. Walk along its beautiful houses, stroll through its streets and alleys, pass under its vaulted passages to discover the typicality of a Balinese village.

Rich heritage and history
You can visit the many religious buildings such as the chapel of Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs, the church of the Nativity of the Virgin (known as Notre-Dame de Lazio), or the many other chapels or oratories, not forgetting the convent of Saint-Dominique.

Don't miss the obligatory visit to the parish church of A Nunziata to discover the Treasure Museum with its collection of liturgical ornaments in the sacristy. If you don't want to miss anything about the heritage and the famous people of the old village of Corbara, let yourself be tempted by the audio guide available at the entrance.
On the way to the village square, stop at the fountain of the Sbollaru. Under a beautiful vault, this spring, known for its capricious flow, flows in a beautiful granite basin. Try the experience and quench your thirst here to see if, as the saying goes, he who drinks his water will eventually calm down.
Climb to the top of the village to the house of Monsieur Guy Savelli. Here, portraits, maps, period posters, handwritten letters, old musical instruments, welcome you to the heart of a house museum.

A village of flaxen houses with sky-blue shutters awaits you. This is Pigna, a delightful village which has re-emerged like a phoenix from the ashes. A blend of stone, clay and tuff has returned this place to its former splendour.

The CNCM VOCE museum, MuseuMusica, is a space dedicated to the dissemination and memory of Corsican musical culture, past and present. You'll discover a collection of instruments from Corsica and elsewhere, as well as an audiovisual space.
Located at the entrance to the village, the museum features a Corsican and Mediterranean instrumentarium, audio-visual and sound equipment, and a store run by the Pigna-based Casa Éditions label.

- Connection and context above all -
Chloé, the museum's receptionist, will passionately guide you through the traditional instrumentarium, immersing you in its history and evolution, from manufacturing techniques to ancestral uses.

- Instrumentarium -
Thanks to historical research, a number of instruments that no longer exist have been recreated at Pigna. Pivana, Pirula, Cialamella and Colombu are just some of the instruments typical of the island that you can discover during your visit.

- Casa Éditions & Boutique -
An opportunity to discover the musical collection of Casa Éditions, a label based in Pigna since 1997, with albums ranging from traditional Corsican music to jazz. You'll also find t-shirts, bleu de chine, books and sheet music, for a souvenir of the village or its Festivoce festival!

Crop terraces and watersports... a citadel, a beach of extreme beauty, a castle and an old fishing port that now harbours recreational vessels. An unspoilt environment to delight amblers.
Because of its 75.5 ha the village was considered, before 1852, as the smallest municipality in Corsica, but, enlarged, (173 ha today), it lost this "title".

Particularly dynamic in the 18th century, this port was in the time of the Genoese the residence of the lieutenant in charge of Balagne. It has evolved and become a pioneer resort in terms of tourism.

Built on the site of an ancient Phoenician city, it was taken and sacked by the Ottomans in 1643. Genoa had it fortified in 1664. Its castle was the residence of the Governor of Balagne for Genoa until 1764. To the west , the small port of San Damiano was once a Roman port sheltered from frequent and strong gales from north to west. It will be abandoned after their departure in the 6th century until the 12th century, when a defense tower was built. Consequently, commercial and fishing activities resume. In 1620 the port became the second port of the island! Today Algajola has a small fishing port without fishermen all year round.


Its beach, well known to surfers, invites you to enjoy surfing.

Sights...
The Algajola monolith: From the main road, you can still see this remarkable monolithic porphyry column, weighing over 270 tonnes, which was abandoned in 1837. It was intended as a base for a monumental statue of Napoleon the First that was never erected. The base of the Vendôme column in Paris is made from porphyry from Algajola.

"U Castellu", the fortified castle of Algajola: It was built in the 16th century, on the ruins of the tower of the noble Lomellini family of Genoa and was the residence of the governor of Balagne for Genoa until 1764. Now a private property, it has been a listed Historical Monument since 1992.

The Citadel: For a long time, Algajola was a Genoan outpost before Calvi. Nowadays, the small fortress is kept in a good state of repair and its prominent watch tower bestows it with a beautiful silhouette.

A masterpiece of Romanesque Art and the flavour of almonds... This village takes delight in perpetuating ancient customs. It still organises traditional processions followed by festivities around an open-air meal.
The village and its two hamlets, Torre and Praoli, located on the hillside, overlook an agricultural plain that extends to the sea.
Arboriculture has been one of the riches of the town: olive trees but also citrus and almond trees have long shaped this landscape, unfortunately damaged by fires.

Aregno was known for the quality of its oranges, considered to be the best in Corsica; they were even exported to the continent.
The first Aregno orange trees were imported from Portugal in the 17th century. One variety of orange is called "AREGNO citrus sinensis osbeck".
In January, the blessing of the oranges takes place, and the procession of Saint Anthony the Abbot, whose statue they adorn.

The village is also known for its almonds ... At the end of the 19th century, almond cultivation covered 3000 ha of the island.
By the middle of the last century, it only represented a hundred hectares.
It was in 1997 that the rural center decided to give the almond tree its nobility through its cultivation and the organization of a rural fair on the first weekend of August.
Almond and its derived products from ancient local food traditions are celebrated there.

Sights...

Trinity Church: a real gem of Romanesque art, built from multicoloured granite. Listed as a Historical Monument since 1883, it was the seat of the Aregno parish in the diocese of Aleria in 1177. The interior wall paintings dating from 1449 and 1458, "The Four Doctors of the Church" and "Saint Michael Slaying the Dragon", are also classified works.

Saint-Antoine Abbé parish church: located in the heart of the village, this Baroque church features a tall ochre-coloured bell tower with 3 arched levels. The front facade of pink striped with white is flanked by sculpted side doors. The date 1818 is engraved on a cornerstone. The church houses some works belonging to the municipality which are listed Historical Monuments, including canvas paintings, "The Death of Saint Francis-Xavier" and "The Virgin and Rosary with Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Sienna", some wooden furniture (prayer pulpit from 1714 and 18th-century friary stalls with four seats in stained, waxed wood) in the Saint-Antoine chapel.

Vestiges of San Quilicu Chapel, a Romanesque building dating from the 10th century.

Events: an almond festival, "a fiera di l'Amandulu" (first weekend of August)

A Ghjesgia di a Trinità di San Giovani... This building dating from around 1100 is an absolute gem of Romanesque Art.
The granite blocks constituting its facade are of 3 different colors, 3 being the number of the perfection of the Trinity: beige symbolizes the Father, green, the Son, and red the Holy Spirit.

Above the door, an arch has 7 dark keystones and 8 light keystones: the 7 invites man to turn to God and the 8 symbolizes his resurrection.
Inside are 2 15th century frescoes.

The Church had the status of a Piévane Church. It served as a burial place for the inhabitants of Aregnu and Sant'Antuninu until the beginning of the 19th century in a communal burial place called "arca". His religious vocation was coupled with a role
social until the beginning of the 16th century.

It also served as a court of first instance. The name of the village, Aregno, would be a deformation by palatization of aringo.

There is evidence that this church existed in the 17th century under the name of Santa Croce.
In 1730 she was named Sant'Antonio Abbato. The organ gallery dates from 1888. The preaching pulpit, dated 1714, is in waxed wood; it was listed in 1995. Inside, several chapels and their altars were founded by the community or families whose coat of arms can be found.

The San Quilicu Chapel is the former Chapel of Souls in Purgatory. It was redecorated in 1810 after the upper window was obstructed during the erection of the campanile.

The baptistery chapel houses an 18th century canvas, a reproduction of a work by Carlo Maretta preserved in Rome, representing the martyrdom of St Francis Xavier. This painting, the author of which is unknown, was filed in 1995.

This chapel was founded around the 10th century and left to abandon in the 13th century. It was dedicated to San Quilicu, who is honoured and carried in procession in mid July.
The building is built in two-tone polychrome granite (beige granitoïde and black syeno-diorite) without plaster, in the Romanesque tradition. It is located on the first built site of the village, traces of which remain in the surrounding land. It is now in ruins.

The parish church, A Nunziata, was built in the early 17th century. It features an elegant multi-level bell tower.
The parish church A Nunziata contains old paintings and an organ dating from 1744 signed "Battista Pompost di Pistoia".

Its bell tower is made up of two floors. The bell was recast and baptized on April 4, 1982 Madre Di Le Gratiae "mother of all graces" by Father Pol de Léon of the convent of Marcasso.

The parish church adjoins the Chapel of the Confrérie Saint Antoine, a building built between 1760 and 1770. It is decorated with a niche in which is a statue of the Immaculate Conception Virgin.

It has a high altar from 1776 with plasterwork and visibly Baroque decor.

According to maps dating from 1643, the Concerca fountain was also known as "Funtana con archi" because it was fed by an aqueduct.
This fountain, located in front of the entrance gate to the Algajola fortress, is made up of two distinct parts, because they are not contemporary.

The oldest, a sort of large vaulted room (probably from 1777), surrounds a more recent neoclassical pediment facade, dated 1856.

A stone basin collects the water, deemed to be good, which the people of the village still come to draw.

Drinking water fountains: to reduce our consumption of plastic bottles, the Calvi Balagne Community of Communes has listed the drinking water fountains on its territory.

The Baroque church of Saint Georges d'Algajola has an elongated design with a narrow choir, a raised floor and a low ceiling. In summer it is a popular concert venue.
In the center of the pediment, you can admire an altarpiece representing St George slaying the demon, then, in the 3rd bay, a magnificent painting of a Descent from the Cross.

The altar dedicated to St. George offers very beautiful straight columns cushioned by angels. The high altar, meanwhile, is white marble with red battens.

The Isula di i Sogni educational farm will be happy to welcome you within its 3 hectare park with sea view and sunset.
An ideal place to discover the animal world for young and old!
Located in the Aregno plain and close to Algajola beach, the educational farm can be reached by car or a 15-minute walk from the Algajola micheline stop.

The proposed activities:

- The discovery of farm animals: pigs, horses, rabbits, llamas….
- The 34 enclosures: each has a small explanatory panel of the species; the child will be able to stroke the animals and also enter directly into several enclosures.
- The sensory journey: garden of scents, garden of music ...
- Play and rest areas: agility course, trampoline, swings, bowling green, picnic tables available.

The Corbara Monolith is an impressive granite column, 17 m long and 3 m in diameter, carved in 1839 to support a statue of Napoleon I. It has been abandoned for logistical reasons. Abandoned for logistical reasons, it weighs 272 tons and bears witness to local history.
A few kilometers from Algajola, off the RT30 and in the commune of Corbara, lies a little-known but impressive monument: the Corbara Monolith.
This granite block, 17.36 metres long and 2.74 metres in diameter, weighing almost 272 tonnes, is an imposing testimony to imperial ambition in the 19th century. Conceived in 1839 to serve as the base for a monumental statue of Napoleon destined for Ajaccio, the monolith never left the site where it was carved.

The quarry where this stone giant was born is located in an area where granite is characterized by its large, slightly faulted domes. Algajola granite is remarkable for its large honey-yellow crystals, micas with varied greenish inclusions, and its envelope of feldspars and quartz. Quarrymen cut this monolith directly on site, but the technical and financial difficulties of transporting it condemned this ambitious project to abandonment.

Today, the monolith rests peacefully in a private field, close to the ruins of the former quarrymen's cottages.

Located on the road from Ile-Rousse towards the village of Corbara, this Romanesque chapel was built in 1098 on the ruins of a Phoenician temple dedicated to the god Baal.
The chapel was remodeled in the first half of the 18th century and restored in the 20th century.
This elongated edifice comprises a single nave and a choir covered with an exposed wooden frame and featuring religious symbols.

Two celebrations take place here: the first, on Easter Monday, with a procession and the blessing of eggs.
The second takes place on September 16, the feast day of Saint-Cyprien and Saint-Corneille, at which mass is held to enthrone the Prior and new members of the Confrérie de pénit.

The Chapel of St. James belongs to the Franceschini family and stands at the foot of the ruins of a castel built in the 9th century by Guido de Sabellis.
Around 1595, the Chapel of St. James (San Giacomo) was erected in memory of General Count Jacques Savelli, Governor of Famagusta (Cyprus), who was born in Corbara and died in 1570.
Restored in 1780, it is no longer used for worship and is not open to the public due to its private status.

The Chapelle Saint Roch, built in 1607 by David Aitelli de Savelli, houses a 17th? century altarpiece bearing his coat of arms.
The Chapelle Saint Roch was built around 1607 at the request of David Aitelli de Savelli, a member of the Corsican Council of Noble Twelve.

Inside, a 17th? century altarpiece, dedicated to Saint Roch, bears the coat of arms of its founder, accompanied by the following inscription: "David Aitelliu de Sabellis ex voto divo Rocco posuit hanc imaginem".

It was subsequently restored in the XIX? and XX? centuries.
The feast of Saint Roch is celebrated on August 16.

Built on the remains of the 1792 ramparts, the Fortin gardens are a reminder of L'Ile-Rousse's defensive past. Rehabilitated in 2021, this peaceful site blends heritage and nature, offering a panoramic view over the town and the sea.
Laid out in 2021, the Fortin gardens extend over the site of the old ramparts erected in 1792. Witness to L'Ile-Rousse's defensive history, these fortifications, which disappeared in the 19th century, have given way to a peaceful garden where heritage and nature meet.

The monks' garden, a former terraced orchard, recalls L'Ile-Rousse's agricultural past with its dry-stone terraces, restored in 2025. With its fountain and green theater, adjacent to the church, it has become a place for strolling and cultural activities.
Formerly a terraced orchard, the dry-stone walls of the jardin des moines evoke L'Ile-Rousse's agricultural past. Renovated in 2025, it now offers a verdant setting, enhanced by a fountain and an open-air theater.

Adjacent to the Misericorde church, the garden has become a shared heritage:
- a place for residents to stroll and meet,
- a place for children to discover nature,
- a testimony to a preserved and enhanced heritage for visitors.

Today, it hosts conferences and cultural events.

In Villa Suttana, the Salicastri fountains bear witness to the past. One, dating from the 16th century and featuring a Madonna and a Moor's head, was also used as a washhouse. The second, built in 1816 in two-tone granite, is a reminder of the importance of springs in local life.
The Salicastri fountains

Two fountains in the hamlet of Villa Suttana are a reminder of the importance of springs in village life.

The A Funtana di u Moru fountain and its washhouse:

The oldest fountain, A Funtana di u Moru, dates back to the XVI? century. Built below the road, it was also used as a washhouse. Its pediment is decorated with a white marble sculpture of the Virgin and Child, accompanied by the Latin inscription Ave Fons Salutis Maria ("Hail Mary, fountain of salvation", 1590). The water inlet, adorned with a black granite Moor's head, is the source of a popular expression: "He's as black as the Moor of Salicastri", used to designate a person accused of many faults. In 1895, a washhouse with a domed roof was added to the ensemble, restored in the late XX? century.

The fountain known as A Funtana di Salicastri:

The second, A Funtana di Salicastri, erected in 1816 by the roadside, is built of two-tone granite, probably quarried in Barcale. It is distinguished by its meticulous architecture: an aedicula crowned by a pyramidion, an elegant cornice and a basin fed by a lion's head-shaped spout. It was designed by the architect Forcioli.

The "di a Leccia" fountain, built in 1559 by Maestro Paulo, combines fountain, washhouse and drinking trough. Restored in 1853 and again in the 20th century, it is located on the road between Corbara and Pigna. Its vaulted aedicula preserves period inscriptions and sculptures.
Located at the bottom of the village, on the local road linking Corbara to Pigna, the fountain known as "A Funtana di a Leccia" is one of the oldest watering places in the village.

Erected in 1559 by Maestro Paulo, as the inscription engraved on the aedicula indicates, it combined several uses essential to daily life: a fountain, a washhouse and a watering place for animals.

The ensemble comprises two vaults: the first housing the fountain and its basin, the second the wash-house. The inscription M.P.A.V.L.O.X.+ can still be seen on the pediment of the main vault. On one of the pillars, a jug carved in the shape of an ancient vase accompanies another inscription: 1559 P.AN.L.

Over time, the fountain has benefited from several restorations, notably in 1853 and then during the XX? century, which have helped preserve this precious testimony to rural heritage.

Today, the "di a Leccia" fountain retains all its historical value and serves as a reminder of the importance of water in community life in days gone by.

The fountain "di i Puvarelli" (of the beggars) owes its name to an old tradition: on the eve of the patron saint's day, beggars from the plain were allowed to enter the village on condition that they washed here, under the gaze of the young Corbarais.
The "Di i Puvarelli" fountain (the beggars' fountain) is located at the bottom of the village, a short distance from the "di a Leccia" fountain, on the edge of the local road linking Corbara to Pigna.

It owes its name to an old tradition: on the eve of each patronal feast day, principally that of the Nativity of the Virgin on September 8, beggars from the plain were exceptionally authorized to enter the village to beg. There was only one condition: they had to wash at this fountain to ensure they were clean before entering the alleys. The young people of the village ensured that this rule was respected, guaranteeing that everyone could take part in the festivities in accordance with ancient customs.

The "di u Sbollaru" fountain is located between the church and Place de l'Ormeau. Sheltered beneath a vaulted ceiling, it feeds a granite basin. Its capricious flow has inspired a proverb about changing moods and broken promises.
Located on the path linking the parish church to the Place de l'Ormeau, the "di u Sbollaru" fountain, also known as the bubbling fountain, is an ancient witness to village life.

Probably built in the XVI? century, it is sheltered by a stone vault and fed by a spring that flows into a granite basin. The overflow then runs off to irrigate the neighboring gardens, once cultivated as vegetable gardens and planted with citrus fruits.

The fountain's flow is capricious: sometimes weak, sometimes abundant, especially after heavy rains. This characteristic has given rise to a well-known proverb. It was said that, like the fountain, some people change their moods or make promises they don't keep. The expression "drink the water of the Sbollaru" meant that one day, they would calm down or return to a better mood.