Stopover in Propriano

Propriano accomodate thousand of tourists every year come from the continent, This is wonderfully protected from the West wind in the bottom of Valinco Gulf.

The road which leads, is broad and large. Before arriving in city, this road crosses several made languid villages which testify an ancestral and quasi irremovable life way. Regulated by the passage of the travelling dealers, the milking of the ewes and the hour of pastis...

Ancient fishing harbour became seaside station, Propriano remains nevertheless a city with human size. Barely arrived, perhaps the visitor will have impression to already know the small city. Error! Because it's not on the nice Baraci or Pujara beaches that they will succeed in discovering the genuineness of the inhabitants and deepest Corsican soul. They will barely succeed in lightly touching, perhaps, allowed to impregnate by the extraordinary coloured games which seem to have a good time on milky waters. Where allowed to make drunk by perfumes of the maquis which go down from neighbouring hills and that mingle with rare harmony with unpleasant smelle navies.

Ideal is however to leave organization tourists who are located mostly in down town area or on the harbour's platform. To sink with the liking of chance and meetings, in the small alleyways,which behind the sparkling front of the successful seaside station, keep even a typically island art of living today. Fundamentally Corsican. Hard and sometimes lively, certainly. But basically hospital and homey if the visitor shows that he knows how to appreciate and to respect peculiarities and local personalities

Legends iIllustrations

1 : Behind the sparkling façade of seaside station another typically Corsican soul hides.

2 : Inspite of growing tourism, fishing remains a traditional activity in Propriano.

3 : At the edge of quais ,the pleasure boats and motor boats replace fishing boats more and more.

Text : Philippe CHAVANNE - Photos : Alice DELVAILLE

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