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Home » Calvi and its region

Village of Pigna (Balagne, Corsica): tips + photos

by Claire ROBINSON, Region Lovers | 28 January 2023 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

Discover one of the must-see places of the Balagne, the village of Pigna with its orange roofs, its blue shutters and its artisans’ and artists’ workshops.
Located on a rocky spur, not far from Ile-Rousse, it offers you a small interlude between two beaches.
Here is our guide to help you plan your visit: map, access, what to do and see, photos…

visit village Pigna Corsica

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.

Content
Why visit the village of Pigna in Balagne
Tips and Map – Pigna, Corsica
The village seen from afar – blue shutters
Map of the village
Brief history of the village
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Alleys and craftsmen
The points of view
Sleeping in the village of Pigna
What to see nearby

Why visit the village of Pigna in Balagne

Is the village of Pigna worth it?

Yes, absolutely.
Even if it is very touristic, it is definitely one of the most beautiful villages of the Balagne. It is very well restored, offers beautiful views and proposes to discover ancient techniques of crafts and artists.
A small village full of inspiration and creativity as we like them.

Village of Pigna in Balagne
Village of Pigna in Balagne

What to see in the village? Why is it known?

The village is known for 2 particularities:

The appearance of the village:
A huge effort has been made to give the village back its beauty. It has been restoredaccording to the ancient techniques with clay and tuff. And in addition, almost all the shutters of the houses have been painted blue to give a little light to these typical houses rather austere.

Its workshops of the trades of the past:
It is in this village that she was born, in 1964, the Corsicada. It is a cooperative association to revive the crafts of yesteryear, and to innovate in craft. You can meet and see craftsmen and musicians working in the whole village.

It is really one of the inescapable of the Balagne.

stone walls, old building and blue shutters in the village of Pigna

This village has also become known thanks to the label “Les plus beaux villages de France” which has been awarded to it. Only 2 villages have this label in the whole of Corsica: Pigna and Sant’Antonino. But many others are interesting. See our list of the most beautiful villages of Corsica.

Tips and Map – Pigna, Corsica

Where is Pigna in Corsica – Map

  • In the Balagne region
  • On the side of L’Île-Rousse
  • Driving time from Ile-Rousse = 15min
  • Driving time from Calvi = 30min
  • Here is a map to help you find your way:
card Pigna Balagne Corsica
Map – Pigna in Balagne, Corsica
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
  • Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
  • Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
  • Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
  • There is a lot of demand, book it early.
See available cars ->

See all our tips

How to get to Pigna

Pigna is really not far from Ile-Rousse.
It’s just a short detour from the T30 road on the west coast.
The last few kilometers are on the D151 which is a fairly easy road. Not very wide but there is still a lane in each direction.

And if you don’t want to rent a car, you can join a guide from Calvi or L’Île-Rousse – see the availability of organized tours

You can also hike between the different villages, especially between Sant’Antonino and Pigna: 45min walk.

Parking

Access road to the Pigna Parking
Access road to the Parking

There is a main parking lot just outside the village.
It is big enough for the size of the village but not enough for tourists in summer. If you visit in July or August, you should come early or late.
There are also a few spots along the main road, but check the signage, some areas are private. And don’t park on the road!
Sorry, we forgot to take a picture of the parking lot.
Note; there is another small parking lot P1 next to the village but it is reserved for residents.

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Practical advice – when to visit

  • Allow an hour to explore the village, enjoy the views and visit the artists’ stores.
  • Wear good walking shoes as the ground is rocky and very uneven
  • The village is quite sloping
  • It’s a nice place to have lunch with its artistic atmosphere
  • The interior of the village is entirely pedestrian
  • The village built an auditorium in the late 1990s. It can accommodate 110 seats for voice concerts. A great way to enjoy the atmosphere of this village even more (see for example the Festivoce festival in July).

Where to eat – restaurants in Pigna

There are several restaurants and cantinas in the village.

  • In Mandria di Pigna – along the access road to the village
  • At Casarella Caffè: tapas at the bottom of the village
  • Cantina A Moresca, at the back of the village with a view on the village of Corbara (photo below with our father)
  • U Palazzu: restaurant and coffee bar surrounded by a garden
  • Casa Musicale: local cuisine with a view to the sea

We had lunch at the Cantina A Moresca. The menu was simple. The atmosphere was very pleasant, surrounded by nature and with views to the sea and to the village of Corbara.

In summer, remember to make reservations. It is a very touristy place.

Cantina a Moresca
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The village seen from afar – blue shutters

It is one of the most beautiful villages of the Balagne to see from afar for 2 reasons:
It is very tightly packed on a rocky outcrop, unlike other villages which are more in length. It is located at an altitude of 260m above the Nervia Valley.

View on the village of Pigna

You can see all the orange roofs and the 2 round domes of the small towers of the church.
You can even see it with the summit Cima di Sant’Angelo which reaches 553m as on the photo below (if we are not mistaken).
The best views of the village are from the D151 road, between two trees

blue shutter in the village of Pigna

Another feature that makes this village very attractive from a distance is the fact that almost all the shutters are painted blue.
We have not found the official reason for the blue color. But we can imagine that it is to make the transition with the sky and the sea.
And it is very successful, to brighten up a little the ochre colored facades (and a bit austere) of the typical houses of the region.

Map of the village

Map of Pigna
Map of Pigna

At the entrance of the village you will find a map.
As you can see, the village is very small and you will not get lost.
Each number identifies a monument, a workshop or a restaurant.
P2 in light green is the parking for visitors.
Next to the number 2 is the church.
On the left, at number 14, is the Cantina A Moresca where we ate.

Brief history of the village

A compact village

The origins of the village go back to the 9th century.
Consalvo Romano is one of the lieutenants of Count Guido Savelli. The Pope sent them to Corsica to free it from the Saracens. And he decided to build a tower that he named Pigna in memory of his native Roman neighborhood.
Then he settles there and his descendants stay there. Family conflicts, rivalries and murders follow in the following centuries. The Genoese government recovered the land in the seventeenth century.
The village has taken the turn of the decline of the rural world. Focusing on the development of traditional and artisanal trades, the village is today one of the most vibrant in the Balagne.

THE BEST OF THE Balagne

Discover our articles on the region:

  • Visiting the Balagne, what to see and do
  • The most beautiful villages of the Balagne
  • The most beautiful beaches of the Balagne
  • The best hotels in Balagne
  • Our tips for renting a car at Calvi airport
Hotel Saletta Mare

Discover our articles about L’Île-Rousse:

  • Best things to do in Ile-Rousse
  • The Pietra Islands
  • The most beautiful beaches around L’Île-Rousse
  • Where to stay in L’Île-Rousse
Hotel Onda

Discover our articles on Calvi:

  • Best things to do in Calvi
  • The citadel of Calvi
  • The most beautiful beaches around Calvi
  • Where to stay in Calvi
Hotel A Casa di Ma

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pigna

The main building of the village, below, is the small church of the Immaulée Conception.
Its heart dates back to the 17th century but it was transformed in the 18th and 20th centuries.

On the outside, notice:

  • The Italian style of the church
  • The 4 columns that do not reach the top
  • The 2 bell towers with dome above the facade
  • Its simplicity
  • Its view from the back with the small slate roof instead of tiles.
Church of the Immaculate Conception - back

Inside, notice:

  • The paintings above the 2 side altars
  • A very small statue of the Virgin in white marble, rather original
  • A fresco by Toni Casalonga (1971)
  • The elevated organ built by Antonio Massoni

Alleys and craftsmen

Then take the time to discover all the small streets of the village.
Pay attention to the stone walls, the blue shutters and the views (as the village is very steep).

alley of Pigna

Each door may be an opportunity to discover something new.
But beware, the village still has inhabitants. Don’t go home to the locals!!!
You will find workshops and artists working or showing you their work:

  • Ceramic (photo below)
  • violin maker,
  • pottery,
  • recording studio,
  • art gallery,
  • engraving
  • small music museum
  • …
ceramic workshop in Pigna

And in the bend of these lanes, you can find the old cattle pen, the old forge restored and transformed into a public fountain, the auditorium…
But take your time. Look at the details around you. And breathe between 2 steps!

stairs in Pigna

The points of view

As Pigna is located on a rocky outcrop, you have magnificent views of the surrounding area.
There is even a large square, Piazza a l’Olmu, which offers a beautiful view to the west, ideal for watching the sunset.

Piazza a l'Olmu, Pigna

The village is not so far from the coast and you can see the sea very well.
On the picture below, the village is that of Algajola with the beach of Aregno.

View on Alcajola from Pigna

And if you look to the east, you discover the village of Corbara with its white church that seems to protect the village.

View on the village of Corbara from Pigna
View on the village of Corbara from Pigna

Sleeping in the village of Pigna

In the village you will find some guest houses and a hotel: Palazzu Pigna.
A small historical building (18th century) with terrace and garden. 3 stars.
The restaurant is located in the old olive oil press.
See prices, pictures and availability

Palazzu pigna
Terrace and rooms of Palazzu Pigna
WHERE TO STAY IN Balagne

Option 1: Île-Rousse

We recommend..:

  • Hotel Rocabella, with Jacuzzis – see prices, pictures and availability
  • Hotel Saletta Mare, aparthotel with a superb swimming pool – see prices, photos and availability
  • See our article on the best hotels in L’Île-Rousse
Hotel Saletta Mare

Option 2: Calvi

We recommend..:

  • Hotel Kasano with its modern decor and beautiful views – see photos and availability
  • Hotel Onda with its charming decor – see prices, photos and availability
  • See our article on the best hotels in Calvi
Hotel Onda

Option 3: in the villages of Balagne

We recommend..:

  • Hotel A Casa di Ma in the charming village of Lumio with its Michelin-starred restaurant –see prices, photos and availability
  • Hotel Serenada in the seaside village of Agajola – see prices, photos and availability
Hotel A Casa di Ma
See all available hotels –>

What to see nearby

Hiking around Pigna

If you want to immerse yourself in the landscapes of the Balagne, enjoy one of the many hikes around Pigna:

  • To reach the village of Sant’Antonino = 45min one way
  • Or the Toru loop which also passes by Sant Antonino: 3h30 and 500m of ascent
  • Tour of Monte Sant’Anghjulu: 3h30 with 470 meters of ascent
  • The loop of San Ciprianu: 2h30 of walking, 25àm of difference in altitude, with a little more shade
  • And if you stay in L’Île-Rousse and you really don’t want to take the car, you can go up to Pigna in 2 hours of walking (400m of difference in height).
  • See all the recommendations of the village, on their website

The other villages of La Balagne

Sant'Antonino village
Sant’Antonino

The hills of La Balagne are dotted with charming villages. All of them bring something a little different: a bell tower, a view, an atmosphere…
The other villages near Pigna are Corbara and Sant-Antonino.
Learn more in our article on the villages of the Balagne

The beach of Bodri

Bodri Beach
Bodri Beach

If you are looking for beautiful white sand in a magnificent environment, head to Bodri(see our article).
This wild beach is a small corner of Paradise between Calvi and Ile-Rousse, in the heart of the Balagne.
Very few buildings, fine sand, turquoise waters… Perfect to relax!
See the most beautiful beaches around L’Île-Rousse

L’Île-Rousse

L'Île-Rousse

And of course you can go and enjoy the sweetness of life in L’Île-Rousse, the seaside resort at 15min drive from Pigna: beach, colorful houses and a walk to the islands of Pietra and the lighthouse are waiting for you.
Discover the best things to do in L’Île-Rousse.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica

Inspiration destinations

  • Best things to do in Corsica
  • Ajaccio or Bastia?
  • North or South Corsica?
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Best of

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  • The most beautiful villages of Corsica
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  • Hidden gems in Corsica
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  • What to do in North Corsica
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Beach of Ostriconi

Where to stay

  • Where to sleep in Corsica
  • The most beautiful hotels in Corsica
  • Best luxury hotels in Corsica
  • Best seaside hotels
Hotel Cala di Greco

Practice

  • Which ferry to Corsica
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  • Renting a car in Corsica
  • Driving in Corsica
See all our tips arrow

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