Calvi, Haute-Corse

Calvi is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. it is the chief city of the Canton of Calvi, which contains besides itself one other commune, Lumio. Calvi is also the capital of the Arrondissement of Calvi, which contains, beside the Canton of Calvi, three other cantons: L'Île-Rousse, Belgodère and Calenzana.

There is a legend that Christopher Columbus was from Calvi, which at the time was part of the Genoese empire. Because the often subversive elements of the island gave its inhabitants a bad reputation, he would have masked his exact heritage.

The 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2 REP) of the French Foreign Legion is based in Calvi, housed in its citadel.

Geography

Calvi is located on the northwest coast of the island of Corsica, 95 km from Bastia and 24 km from L'Île-Rousse. It is the fifth-largest commune in Corsica; however, the arrondissement is the smallest.

Administration

Calvi is a sub-prefecture of the Haute-Corse department.

History

The motto, "Calvi semper fidelis," ("Calvi Always Faithful") referred originally to its loyaly to the Republic of Genoa.

Economy

The economy of Calvi is essentially based on summer tourism, which started in 1950 due to the pioneering efforts of Vladimir Raitz. The Ste-Catherine International Airport of Calvi and the Xavier Colonna Port ease the access for a number of tourists.

Notes

See also

External links

• Official website
• Wikitravel
• A presentation of Calvi and its hotels
• photos from Fleur de Corse

Panorama