L'Île-Rousse 3

As mentioned the train from Calvi to Bastia only ran twice a day. The 0746 service was far too early so I chose the 1625. I would just have to nap in the hotel lobby in the afternoon. I would arrive in Bastia at 1914, still light at that time of day so no issues with the hotel. And anyway I still had the following day in Bastia.

This is a recycling container made from waste plastic.

I happened upon the Sunday markets in town. I thought it would be a day for church or rest. I guess the locals like getting together.

Besides the flea market under the trees there is provisions section under a roof.

Straight from the producer, you can't get fresher than that.

Hanging wire sculptures over a street.

I decided to explore the rocky Île de la Pietra (page in French) which juts off the coast and is connected by a causeway. As you can see a lighthouse is sited there. Maps shows that the port has ferry connections with mainland France.

But first I have to get there so this is the start of my walk. I passed the mermaid statue again.

A telephoto shot of the waterside homes.

And the barren island.

You can see where everything is in the next two panoramas.

Now on the left of the causeway looking back on the coast west of the town.

I climbed up the rocky outcrop and was rewarded with an elevated view of the town.

And the lighthouse on the next outcrop, separated by a channel.

Some panoramas from this vantage point.

Back on the port side of the island there was a seafood cook-out happening. It looked like they were all members of some club. I was pretty sure it wasn't open to the public (i.e. me) but nobody minded me walking through.

There was a restaurant overlooking the port but it wasn't doing business, possibly only in the evening.

There are a ferry terminal and port facility buildings here. The ferries also transport cars and this service is used by mainland vacationers wanting to drive around Corsica. You'd need a family or a group to make it worthwhile though.

Back in town, I found a restaurant serving Thai cuisine and had this for lunch. The seafood was fresh so it was tasty.

And that was the end of my time in Île Rousse. I rested in the hotel lounge until it was time to catch the late afternoon train back to Bastia.