Cargèse and its region
Cargèse, the most Greek of the Corsican villages, is not only the jewel of the Deux Sevi region, because of its natural and touristic environment but also because of its cultural heritage which reminds us of the rich and eventful history of these Greek migrants and at the same time of Corsica.
CARGESE AND ITS HISTORY
At the end of the 17th century, a Greek colony of 800 villagers from Vitylo in the Peloponnese decided to leave the country to escape the Turkish yoke. Taking the sea route, they disembarked in the region of Sagone and settled in Paomia on March 14, 1676 in accordance with the agreement given by the Republic of Genoa (Corsica was Genoese at the time). The Greeks will prosper and in a few years the village will become one of the most beautiful of the region.
However their presence is not very well accepted by the local populations who saw in them allies of the Genoese.
In 1731, when the Corsicans rise against Genoa, the Greeks are chased to Ajaccio while the village of Paomia is burnt and plundered.
It is only in 1769, when Corsica becomes French, that the Village of Cargèse is created. The Count of Marbeuf, governor of Corsica, had the military engineers build nearly 120 houses for these exiled Greek families. However, it was not until 1797 that the community was finally able to return to Cargese in a stable manner, due to various setbacks with the Jacobins during the French Revolution.
Nowadays, the two communities, Corsican and Greek, whose fusion took place mainly through marriages, live in perfect harmony. However, each community has kept its traditions. The names of the Greek descendants remain recognizable by the most common patronymics such as Frimigacci, Stephanopoli, Capodimacci, Dragacci, Voglimacci, Garidacci.
CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
The churches
The church of the Assumption called "Latin" is built from 1822 to 1828 by the Corsican population of Catholic religion of Latin rite. Funds were collected from 1817, the land was given by Antoine Andreani.
Unfortunately, in 1835, the roof of the church was destroyed by a violent storm while the interior work was not yet finished.
In 1847, the church tower was completed.
From 1970 to 1975, the nave was painted, and from 1992 to 1997, two Russian painters painted the choir. Inside, the style is baroque with trompe l'oeil paintings.
The so-called "Greek" Church of St. Spiridon is a Greek Catholic Helena Church.
In the middle of the 19th century, there were nearly 500 Greeks in Cargese and they wanted to build a church in the heart of the village. Work began in 1868 and was completed in 1874.
Inside, the decoration is neo-classical, the sanctuary is separated from the nave by a wooden partition decorated with icons called "iconostasis". This one was offered by the prefect of the congregation of "Propaganda Fide" to the Greek church. The exterior is inspired by the neo-gothic style.
Nowadays, both churches are open to the public, and services are held every week, in turn. Both built on the heights of Cargèse, they offer a majestic panorama. So don't miss this unusual setting and configuration. It is very rare to see two churches of different faiths, face to face, united in one and the same village for a single culture: the Corsican culture.
Once rivals, they are now in solidarity. We have even witnessed an unprecedented situation: until his retirement in 2010, Monsignor Marchiano assured the office in both rites (including one in ancient Greek). And on the major dates of the calendar - the Feast of the Basilisk, St. Spiridon's Day, St. Anthony the Abbot's Day or Easter Monday - the whole village participates.
There are 2 other churches of less importance in Cargèse. The church of Saint-Jean baptiste located in the hamlet of Lozzi, simple domestic chapel built in 1845. And the church of Sainte Marie, located in the hamlet of Paomia.
The Genoese towers of the region
The most famous is the tower of Omigna built at the end of the peninsula of Omigna. the history says that it was the last rampart of 127 Greeks against 2500 Corsicans revolted on April 27, 1731. entrenched inside this one, the Greeks succeeded in fleeing to Ajaccio after three days of siege.
The village has two other unrestored towers, the tower of Cargese located on the hill overlooking the village and the tower of Orchino located on the peninsula of the same name.
The Genoese towers were built in the 16th century to warn and protect the population against barbarian invasions. Their guardians, the "Torregiani", warned the population of future attacks by enemy ships with a fire. The smoke then gave the alert signal for the population in the vicinity to take refuge inland. The towers were placed on each advanced point of the coast so that one could be seen by another. The aim was to transmit the invasion alert from tower to tower and warn the whole of Corsica in less than two hours.
In 1730, Corsica had 120 towers on its coastline, compared to the thirty or so towers currently in use.
LEISURE AND ACTIVITIES
The beaches of Cargese
Located on the coast, Cargèse is surrounded by beaches with clear waters and fine sands that will enchant your holidays. It's up to you to choose the beach you like best.
The beach of Pero (or Peru beach) is the closest to the city center of Cargese. With a length of almost 1 km, it is located between the tip of Cargèse and the tip of Omigna, delimited by their Genoese towers. It has several pretty straw huts where you can have lunch or refresh yourself. You will have the possibility of renting kayaks or jet skis, for the adepts of strong sensation.
Chiuni beach is located in the gulf of the same name, between the points of Omigna and Orchinu. The fine sandy beach stretches for about 800 metres and has shallow water that will delight young children. To get there from the village, you must take the direction of Piana by the D81 and take the left-hand intersection after 6 km (follow the indications of the former Club Med).
The beach of Menasina is a little known wild cove which extends on approximately 200 meters in the south of the village. One reaches it on foot after having parked on a carpark 400 meters higher. To get there from the village, take the direction of Sagone on the D81 for about 3 km.
The beach of Capizzolu is one of the beautiful wild beaches of the region. Almost 300 meters long and surrounded by maquis, you will feel completely different. To get there from Cargèse, take the D81 in the direction of Sagone and after 5 km, just after the residence Les Mandiles, take one of the two paths leading down to the beach
The beach of Stagnoli is also a wide beach of fine sand with shallow water. It is divided into several areas by rocks and has a restaurant to eat. To get there, take the direction of Sagone on the D81 from Cargese. After about 7 km, there is a small parking lot on the right. The beach is below, accessible by steep stairs.
Nautical Activities
From the fishing port and the marina, you can practice various nautical activities: motorboat rental and rides in watercraft, sea trips on board passenger boats or vessels for collective use (visit Capo Rosso, the Piana creeks and the Scandola reserve), scuba diving.
Scuba diving or snorkeling:
Visit the seabed of the Cargèse region with Cargesub or Explorasub with scuba diving. Observe the marine splendours via underwater excursions with Cargèse snorkeling.
With its rich diversity of flora and fauna, this is a great place for all divers, from beginners to the most experienced.
Boat trip:
Visit the region of Cargese and its coastline via the sea! Discover the Calanques of Piana, the Capo Rosso, the natural reserve of Scandola and the famous village of Girolata with Cargese Cruise. The sea trip will be enhanced with unforgettable stories and anecdotes by the crew.
Jet-ski:
For water sports enthusiasts, Fun Jet Location offers jet-ski rentals on the beach of Peru to criss-cross the beaches of the town. Other vehicles such as paddles, kayaks, flyboards, towed buoys, pedal boats and also boats will be at your disposal.
Hiking in the region
The most famous hikes in the region are :
The Punta d'Omigna walk : Superb 7 km walk near the centre of Cargèse, which will take you to the Genoese tower of Omigna. The only access is a path that runs along the coastline and will give you a view of both the Gulf of Pero to the south and Capo Rosso to the north.
For the amateurs of bicycle, you have the possibility of making this excursion in VTT Fat bike with electric Assistance. Contact A Spassu rando.
The Capo Rosso hike from the Arone road (Piana commune): Count 3h30 for this hike of average difficulty, leading to the Turghiu Tower, on the tip of Capo Rosso. The tower will reveal one of the most beautiful views of Corsica, overlooking the Gulf of Porto and the Calanches of Piana.
There are many others, such as the Puntiglione or the Mare e Monti, which will delight you.
Horseback riding :
For horse lovers and nature lovers, enjoy horseback riding from the beautiful beach of Chiuni with the Ranch Cargèse
GASTRONOMY AND EPICUREANISM
Le P'tit en K
The village of Cargèse is full of good addresses. Le P'tit en cas is a concrete example.
Located on the main street of the village, it will be the ideal place to have your full breakfast.
With the concept Healthy food, you will find there pitayas and acaï bowls, sandwiches sought and revisited, as well as beautiful salads with the products of the garden cultivated by the manager.
The P'tit en K, remains open from 7h to 21h and will also welcome you for lunch or snack to enjoy delicious smoothies and Frozen Yogurt.
THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES AND TOWNS
Piana
Only twenty kilometres from Cargèse (twenty minutes by car), discover the village of Piana and its pink granite creeks classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, overlooking the Gulf of Porto.
Porto
About ten minutes from Piana and therefore about 30 minutes from Cargese, is the village or rather the marina of Porto.
It is bordered by its gulf of the same name, close to the Scandola Nature Reserve and Girolata, an ancient fishing village. Porto also has a beach and a Genoese tower classified as a historical monument.
Ajaccio
About 1 hour from the village of Cargèse, Ajaccio, known as the "imperial city", which saw the birth of Napoleon I, is full of monuments to his glory, such as the Bonaparte house, the diamond square or the Corsican history museum.
The gentle way of life of the town invites you to relax and escape. The historic centre of the town is best explored on foot, discovering its narrow streets, and observing its colourful houses, its fishing port and its lively terraces.
2021 Casa Marina.