Porto Vecchio (Corsica France)

Porto Vecchio is a port town on Corsica Island (France). This is a medium-sized port with marina and a deep-water harbor.

The port includes commercial and cargo facilities, a ferry station, plus moorings for 450 small vessels (including yachts). The population is around 11,600 inhabitants (2013 census) and expands to 50,000 during summer months, predominantly Italian. The beaches, especially Palombaggia Beach (3 kilometers / 2 miles to the south-east) are well-populated. In 1983 Porto-Vecchio acquired a Film Institute organizing an annual film festival.

To the north of the commune lies the prehistoric site of Torre, which has given its name to Torréen Culture. Dated back to Corsican Bronze Age, it has circular or abutting (semi-circular) citadels of stone.

Porto-Vecchio is situated in a region that was marshy in earlier times and suffered from malaria. However, the anchorage for port is excellent. The name of the settlement means "Old Port", which may apply to the Roman port which left traces in the vicinity. The region was later more or less abandoned due to the malarial marshes but then became part of a Christian parish. The city was reestablished in 1539 by Bank of Saint George at Genoa on a 70 m (230 feet) hill overlooking the gulf. 

Some of the population started to return with drainage projects that were instituted under the Second Empire. Unfortunately, they were minimally successful. WWII brought the presence of allies, determined to eradicate malaria, especially for the health of the airmen and soldiers. Through drainage, spraying and filling, they succeeded and made the region less pestilential and newly attractive. The current population derives from expansion which started sirca 1950.

Here was the start of the Tour de France 2013's 1st stage.