The taste of Corsica is found at the market
If you want to get to know Corsican gastronomy, head to the market. Not the tourist shops in the harbour town, but the local markets and seasonal fairs where producers from the mountains and valleys sell their own products. That's where you taste the real Corsica.
Weekly markets
Most towns and larger villages on Corsica have a weekly market. The main ones:
- Ajaccio: daily on the Place du Marche behind the town hall. Fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, olive oil and honey. Saturday morning is the biggest and busiest.
- Bastia: the Place du Marche in the old town, daily except Monday. Plenty of local producers from the Castagniccia and Cap Corse.
- L'Ile-Rousse: the covered market on the Place Paoli, daily in season. One of the most atmospheric markets on the island.
- Corte: weekly market on the Place Paoli, smaller but very authentic.
- Porto-Vecchio: market on the Place de la Republique on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
Insider tip Go early. The best products sell out fast, and in the morning it's cooler and quieter. Bring a wicker basket — it looks the part too.
The big seasonal fairs
In addition to the weekly markets, Corsica holds fiere (fairs) throughout the year, each spotlighting a specific product. These are not ordinary markets but true celebrations with tastings, music, demonstrations and hundreds of visitors from across the island.
The most important fairs:
- Fiera di a Castagna (Bocognano, early December): the most famous fair on Corsica, dedicated to the chestnut. More than 150 exhibitors showcase products made from chestnut flour, from bread to beer. A tradition going back decades.
- Fiera di u Casgiu (Venaco, first weekend of May): paradise for cheese lovers. Dozens of shepherds and cheesemakers from all over Corsica offer their finest cheeses to taste.
- Fiera di U Vinu (Luri, early July): wine producers from every corner of the island come together in this village on Cap Corse.
- Fiera di l'Alivu (Montegrosso, mid-July): the olive fair, welcoming some 10,000 visitors who enjoy olive oil, tapas and local crafts in a beautiful setting.
- Fiera di Amandulu (Aregno, early August): the almond fair in the Balagne, with tastings, concerts and cooking competitions.
- Fiera Di U Pane (Lumiu): rediscover the flavour of real bread, baked in the centuries-old communal ovens of the village.
What should you buy?
The products that are best bought fresh on Corsica:
- Charcuterie: lonzo, coppa, prisuttu and figatellu. Buy from a producer who raises their own pigs.
- Cheese: fresh brocciu (season November-June) and aged tomme corse.
- Honey: Corsican honey (AOP) in varieties ranging from light and floral to dark and intense.
- Chestnut products: chestnut flour, chestnut beer, chestnut jam.
- Olive oil: buy it at a local mill, not in the supermarket.
- Wine: buy directly from a winemaker — then you know exactly what you're drinking.
Insider tip The fiere are part village festival, part market. You don't have to buy anything to enjoy them. Wander around, taste, listen to the music and chat with the producers. That's the Corsican way.