L'Île Rousse
The Red Island or Isola Rossa
Founded in 1758 by Pasquale Paoli to create a port that was not in Genoese hands L’Île Rousse is today a pleasant resort and ferry terminal with great beaches and facilities for tourism.
It offers great access for touring the Balagne with its stunning perched villages like Belgodère and mountains.
In the town there is a nice shady square dedicated to Paoli himself adjacent to the Old Town. Be aware that it can be very overcrowded in the High Season and many visitors head for the beaches nearer Calvi.