The Refuge de Prati is on the GR20 and offers views of the sea, ponds, islands and part of eastern Corsica. Other specific points of interest include chapels, a memorial and the Maison Carrée; together, they offer different ways to explore architectural and commemorative history. You can choose the focus of your trip based on landscape, architecture or history.
Hiking and views at the Refuge de Prati
The Refuge de Prati is on the GR20 long-distance hiking trail. From there, you can see the sea, ponds, islands and part of eastern Corsica. The views are associated with the refuge and add a specific landscape perspective to the route. For access, it is recommended that you leave your vehicle in the church square in Isulacciu Di Fium’Orbu. Check trail conditions before setting out.
Memorial and architectural history
At the entrance to Isolaccio-di-Fiumorbo, a memorial commemorates the martyrdom of the people of Isolacciu at the hands of the French army commanded by General Morand. The memorial thus offers a different historical perspective from the Maison Carrée, where the building’s former role as a gendarmerie under Napoleon III takes center stage.
The Maison Carrée stands in the center of the hamlet of Pietrapola les Bains. Under Napoleon III, it was an imperial gendarmerie and consists of a circular courtyard surrounded by stone buildings. The building’s former function and its architectural layout offer two different ways of exploring its history: its use as a gendarmerie and the form of the complex, with its courtyard and stone buildings.
The Sainte-Lucie chapel is located in a cemetery. Inside, there are two arcas, one for women and one for men. This distinction is a striking architectural and funerary detail.
The San-Ghjacumu chapel is located in the hamlet of Ajola in Isolaccio-di-Fiumorbo. Its single-nave hall has a basket-handle barrel vault. The term “single-nave” describes the layout of the hall; the basket-handle barrel vault describes its covering. These specific features offer a way to understand the chapel’s spatial design.
To choose a cultural focus, compare the sites: the memorial draws attention to the commemoration of a population, the Maison Carrée to a former institution and its architectural form, and the chapels to specific details of their interiors and spatial design.
Thermal baths in Pietrapola
The Thermes de Pietrapola are described as Corsica’s only authorized thermal spa. As of August 2026, the spa complex is being renovated; no reopening date has been announced. If the thermal baths are relevant to your travel plans, check the latest status before making arrangements and do not assume they will have reopened.
Discover more destinations: Croce, Manso, Calvi, Ville-di-Pietrabugno, Bastia, Canale-Di-Verde, Pietra-di-Verde, Pietracorbara
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Corse.
