Located in Corsica’s Costa Verde is Cervione, an enchanting village with stone houses, cobbled alleyways and astonishing views. This little-known part of Corsica is situated just half an hour from second largest city Bastia.
We spent an afternoon in Cervione with our four-year-old daughter POD. We fell in love with it not long after we got out of the taxi! One side of the main street is lined with quirky cafes and the other spectacular panoramic views. It’s no wonder it was nicknamed ‘the balcony by the sea’.
On arrival we headed towards the bell tower to begin exploring. At the top of the cobbled alleyway was a charming square and Cathedrale de Saint Erasme – a former Roman Catholic Cathedral and a national monument of France. It was the seat of the Bishop of Aleria and is today one of the Corsica’s earliest baroque cathedrals.
Inside is a marbled black and white floor, wooden stalls and an impressive organ. The domed ceiling is most impressive and you almost lost your balance taking in its detail. POD’s not been in a cathedral of this size before and spent the majority of our time in there looking up with her mouth open.
Outside we noticed swallows had made nests along the front of the cathedral. We presumed this were the case because there were so many swallows in Cervione. To the left of the cathedral was a doorway, almost hidden, into a quaint looking restaurant. If you walked past, you may even miss it completely if you didn’t know it was there. A local cafe beckoned, with the temperature pushing thirty degrees and no sea air, we were in need of some refreshments.
We missed the Museum of Cervione which is near the cathedral but we had plenty to keep ourselves occupied. Back in the main street we found a double door, with an impressive lion door knocker, slightly ajar. Inside were two stone pillars, a beautiful ceiling and steps leading to what we presumed to be flats. The entrance was not in the best condition but you could see it must have been very grand at some point.
Below the main street was the prettiest playground I think I’ve ever seen. Boasting the most stunning views, it was almost like a walled garden set in the mountain. Above it were more stone buildings with shutters and the clock tower was once again visible.
POD loved the playground and took great delight in trying everything. She wasn’t very happy when we had to leave although the blow was softened slightly when we spotted a lizard close-by.
Everywhere you look in Cervione is something that makes you go wow. Whether it’s the lonesome house set in the hillside, the chiming of the bell tower or the magnificent views, it’s a special place.
Thankfully there are cafes aplenty too so when the heat gets a bit too much, you can stop, grab a beer and just take it all in.
Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast.
