Corsica 04776 Ile Rousse Bust of Pascal Paoli
When L'Isula steps outside its walls
Before becoming the centre of L’Isula, the area lay on the outskirts of the town, close to the wetlands of the Padule stream. In 1826, the ‘Accord des Confins’ concluded with Munticellu – Monticello –, Santa-Reparata and Curbara – Corbara – enabled L’Ile-Rousse to significantly expand its territory and marked a new phase in its urban development. The second city wall was built a few years later, and Place Paoli was created in 1834, outside these fortifications.
The town then developed around this new space. Buildings gradually sprang up around the square, and Avenue Piccioni established itself as one of L’Isula’s main thoroughfares. Two fountains were part of the development: the ‘Quatre Becs’ fountain , on which a bust of Pasquale Paoli was installed in 1852, and the ‘Pompe’ fountain, situated slightly further back. By the end of the 19th century, the Church of the Immaculate Conception had in turn come to dominate the square and give it much of its current character.
