Ville-di-Paraso
Village of Balagne
This is the story of a village so beautiful that it now features in one of the world's most famous museums, the Prado in Madrid.
Magnified by the painter Utrillo, it amazes thousands of visitors every year...
The story...
At a time when exhibition sites were a thing of the past, the area around Ville-di-Paraso was heavily used. Whether in prehistoric times (Neolithic in particular) or in Roman times, archaeological excavations have revealed a high level of occupation.
But, as is often the case in the Balagne region, it wasn't until several centuries later that the area was given its current name, "Ville-di-Paraso". Initially split into "Muratellu", "Capu di Moru" and "Mutula", the commune only adopted its definitive name in the early years of the 19th century. A period when it was booming!
The village
Crossed by the lovely Regino river, Ville-di-Paraso is one of those places where life is good.
Surrounded by palm trees and Lebanese cedars, it's the ideal place to stroll, alone or with friends and family.
You'll fall in love with its old wash-houses and little chapels scattered around the village.
You'll love it, adore it... and maybe even paint it!
What to see
- Saint-Simon (San Simonu) parish church
- Chapel of the Brotherhood of Holy Cross (Santa Croce)
- Chapel of Saint-Roch (San Roccu)
- Genoa bridge
- Site of Mutola
Don't miss
- Village festival, "A Nativita di a Maria", September 8