Visiting Galéria
Galéria is a village in Balagne, a region of Corsica, located just south of Calvi at the foot of Capu Tondu, which peaks at 825 meters in height. The area bordering the wide gulf remained uninhabited for a long time because it served as a hideout for pirates who raided the coast. The local economy long relied on pastoralism, as evidenced today by the Ponte Vecchiu, an old bridge dating back to the Republic of Genoa that crosses the Fango River and allowed local shepherds to travel from one area to another without paying tolls.
Extraordinary Corsican biodiversity
Galéria is defined by the striking natural beauty of its surrounding landscapes, starting with the Scandola Nature Reserve, a wild volcanic peninsula designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can tour by boat. Spanning nearly 2000 hectares, with 900 hectares of land and 1000 hectares of marine territory, this reserve teems with threatened plant and animal species, including ospreys, peregrine falcons, and a diverse array of corals. The site also impresses with the glowing red hues of the ancient caldera contrasting against the blue of the Mediterranean.
The other major ecological draw of Galéria is the Fango Delta, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can paddle through it by kayak to quietly spot numerous bird species like grey herons, moorhens, and egrets, alongside European pond turtles, a threatened freshwater turtle species.
Freshwater and saltwater swimming
Galéria features beaches with thick, gray sand and a small harbor, making it ideal for relaxing days in the sun. The coastline unfolds beneath the Galéria Tower, A Torra di a Foce di u Fangu, a Genoese watchtower built between 1551 and 1573. Much like the seven other towers in the jurisdiction of Calvi and the defensive fortifications ringing the Corsican coast, the Genoese built it to monitor and protect the island against pirate attacks.
If wild swimming appeals to you, head into the hinterland of Galéria toward the Falasorma valley, where the Fango river meanders before emptying into the Galéria bay. The Fango, certified as a Wild River Site, consists of a series of pools and waterfalls offering plenty of spots for swimming or canyoning excursions.
Near Galéria, you can also hike along the trail on the road to Calca to discover the Calca lake and dam.
When to go
The best time to experience Corsica is before or after peak season, either in the spring or during September and October when temperatures remain very mild.
How to get there
From the airport in Calvi, expect a 45-minute drive along the coastal road to reach Galéria. The village is about two hours from Ajaccio.
Not in a bad way, though! The beach near the Fangu delta is covered in pebbles, which makes it feel a bit like you are on the moon. It is very pleasant! You have wild nature spots nearby.
Sometimes, you can spot cows wandering around! To get to Galeria, I recommend taking the road through the inland areas. The route along the coast offers a very beautiful view, but the road is in bad shape, which requires constant vigilance and is quite tiring.