7 things to see and do in Corsica this summer

From music festivals to mountain runs, there is lots to look forward to this summer in Corsica

On the rocks

Electronic music, beach life and Corsican culture merge for Calvi on the Rocks, the island’s trendiest music festival. DJs, a warm sea and aperitifs add to the atmosphere on Calvi’s seafront and citadel. This year’s line-up is still to be announced but events run all day and through the night. 30 June – 5 July. calviontherocks.com

Olive!

The annual Fiera di l’Alivu (olive festival) in Montegrosso, near Calvi, is a highlight of the foodie calendar and attracts 10,000 visitors. Everything to do with olives is celebrated, from oil and trees to wood products. 15-16 July. foiresdecorse.com

Mountain run

The Restonica run along the mountainous central spine is the island’s most challenging event and is only for the dedicated and superfit. The 69km event includes parts of the GR20 long-distance trail (33km and ‘ultra’ 110km versions are also organised). Racing starts at 5am on 6 and ends on 8 July. restonicatrail.fr

Guitar sounds

Les Nuits de la Guitare is set in a romantic outdoor amphitheatre in Patrimonio in Haute-Corse and attracts some of the world’s best guitarists. Although best-known for manouche gypsy jazz, the festival also celebrates classical and folk guitar. 18-28 July. festival-guitare-patrimonio.com

Latin rhythms

Saint-Florent is a calm, classy resort at the base of Cap Corse, but for four nights in August it will beat to the rhythm of salsa, samba and bossa nova at the 19th Porto Latino festival. Artists include Yuri Buenaventura and Emir Kusturica & the No Smoking Orchestra. 5-8 August. portolatino.fr

Open-air cinema

Lama, a hilltop village in the Balagne, is holding its 24th open-air film festival, showing full-length features, shorts and documentaries. Audiences watch films under the stars and can then meet actors and directors the following day in the village squares. 29 July to 4 August. festilama.org

Sing in harmony

Many festivals celebrate Corsica’s renowned a cappella close-harmony singing, but Calvi’s Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques is the one not to miss. This year, groups and soloists from a number of different countries will join local performers. 15-19 September. l-invitu.net

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