Revellata lighthouse

Revellata lighthouse stands on the rocky Punta di a Revellata headland west of Calvi, on Corsica's northwest coast. Perched above the deep-blue Gulf of Calvi, it ranks among the island's oldest working lighthouses.

Where does the lighthouse come from?

The story begins in 1838, when French maritime authorities decided to ring Corsica with five major first-order lighthouses to make navigation around the island safer. The Revellata headland was chosen to cover the northwest stretch of coast. Construction started that same year, and the light was first lit in 1844. It has guided ships into the Gulf of Calvi ever since.

What does the lighthouse look like, and how does it work?

Revellata is a square masonry tower with smooth rendered walls and exposed stone quoins at the corners — a construction style typical of French lighthouses from the first half of the 19th century. The tower sits on a rectangular base and rises to roughly 99.5 meters above sea level, making it one of the higher-standing lighthouses on the Corsican coast. Its light flashes twice every ten seconds and carries a range of 21 nautical miles (about 39 kilometers), visible far out at sea on a clear night.

The lighthouse now runs fully automatically, monitored remotely from Bastia, so no keeper lives on site anymore. Part of the surrounding buildings houses STARESO, a marine research station that studies the waters of the Gulf of Calvi — an unusual scientific neighbor for a lighthouse, and one that adds another layer of interest to the site.

What will you see there?

The headland itself is a wild, rocky peninsula covered in maquis scrubland, with sweeping views over the Gulf of Calvi, the town's citadel, and the mountains rising behind it. The lighthouse can't be visited inside, but its setting does the work — a solid stone tower standing right where the land drops off into the sea. It's one of the most popular viewpoints around Calvi, especially at sunset, when the light spreads across the water and the headland's rocks.

The area around the point doubles as a recreation spot: a coastal path connects Calvi to the peninsula, popular with walkers and runners, and the small coves nearby draw visitors looking for a quieter alternative to Calvi's busier beaches.

How do you get there?

There's no public road to the lighthouse — the only way in is on foot, along the coastal path leading from Calvi out to the Revellata headland. That's part of why the area has kept its wild, undeveloped feel, unlike central Calvi itself. Bring water and sturdy shoes: the terrain is rocky and mostly unshaded.

When should you visit?

Spring and early autumn bring milder temperatures than the height of summer, making the walk out to the headland more comfortable. In summer, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest hours. Watching the sunset from near the lighthouse is one of the most recommended things to do around Calvi.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? No, Revellata lighthouse is a working technical installation and isn't open for visits inside. You view it from outside while walking the headland.

How do you reach the lighthouse from Calvi? On foot only — there's no road for cars. A coastal path runs from Calvi out to the Revellata headland.

When was the lighthouse built? Construction began in 1838 and the light was first lit in 1844, part of a plan to build five major lighthouses around Corsica's coast.

Is the lighthouse still in operation? Yes, it operates automatically and is monitored remotely from Bastia. Part of the site today houses STARESO, a marine research station.