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. It plays as a symbol of 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, such as castles and private collections. 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	Good period to go
October	13/55	22/72	127/5.0	Good 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

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

• One terminal

• 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 25 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 48. Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., expect a night fare of around EUR 66.

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

• Website: bastia.aeroport.fr/en/

• One terminal

• 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.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals hall. The fare to the city centre is about EUR 20.

• Services: bars, vending machines, newsstand, and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 65 88 88
• 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: https://www.bastia-tourisme.com/en/

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

• Address: Chemin de la plage, Port de Plaisance, BP 97, 20260 Calvi

• Opening hours: during holiday seasons, Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 95 65 16 67
• Website: https://balagne-corsica.com

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).

1 RSD = 0,01 EUR

1 EUR = 100 RSD

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

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

Tap water is safe to drink in Corsica.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for France

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of some foreign countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure.

For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/requesting-a-visa/

Useful addresses

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Northern Corsica, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without the 0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Belgrade

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. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.