César Campinchi street

You’re now standing on one of Bastia’s main shopping streets. It’s named after César Campinchi, a Corsican-born lawyer and 20th-century political figure who served as Minister of the Navy and Minister of Justice, and a decorated hero of the First World War.

The street is lined with typical Bastia façades and filled with shops perfect for browsing, along with a few popular bars and restaurants. You’re right in the heart of Terra Vecchia, the oldest part of the city.

This district grew up around the Old Port, where Corsicans were already living and working long before the Genoese arrived. Unlike Terra Nova, which was built by the Genoese inside the citadel, Terra Vecchia has always been home to Corsican families. Though the Genoese made Terra Nova their stronghold, this neighbourhood kept growing over time, especially from the 18th century onwards, as the population increased.

Little by little, the city expanded to become what it is today: the second-largest in Corsica, with over 48,000 residents.