Page "Bastia" Paragraph 5

Above all, Bastia is a port, and the sea has of course a significant role in the spatial organization of the city.

Bastia possesses nowadays three different ports.

The old port (" Vieux Port " in French and " Porto Vecchio " in Corsican ), located in a remarkable and narrow cove, offers good natural shelter against the climatic hazards of the Mediterranean Sea.

Thus, it was at the core of the initial development of the city.

Nowadays, many pleasure and fishing boats are still there, but it is not as economically vital than the other more modern ports, although its touristic and aesthetic charm almost makes the old port the official emblem of the city.

In fact, many cafés, bars and restaurants have moved to its docks to which access is granted by the city for pedestrians only during summer evenings.