Visiting Bonifacio's old town

From the harbour, the Montée Rastello, a cobbled stepped street, takes you up to the citadel in about ten minutes. A little tourist train also runs between the harbour and the upper town.

In summer, driving and parking at the top are difficult: leave the car near the harbour and walk up.

Through the Genoa Gate and its drawbridge, you enter the old town: narrow lanes, tall houses, craft shops and terraces.

Don't miss the church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, in the heart of the old town, and the church of Saint-Dominique, one of the few Gothic buildings in Corsica.

Carved into the cliff, this staircase of 187 steps leads down to sea level. Legend has it that the King of Aragon's troops dug it in a single night during the siege of the town in 1420.

Entry is paid and the climb back up is a workout, but the view of the cliff and the sea is worth it.

At the end of the plateau, the Bosco district leads to the seaside cemetery and its white chapels facing the sea. A little further on, the edge of the plateau offers one of the finest views of the town hanging over the void.

Once the day visitors have left, the old town grows quiet again. It is the best time to stroll and dine on a terrace.

In summer, don't miss a concert of Corsican polyphonic singing at the church of Saint-François.

To live these evenings from the inside, our suites Doria, Bruno and Mario are in the heart of the upper town.

Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it is cooler and the lanes are quieter.

Wear good shoes: cobblestones and steps are everywhere.