Located on the northwest coast of Corsica, L’Ile-Rousse was originally founded in the 18th century to compete with the Genoese-controlled port of Calvi. Snaking islets of red porphyry rock in the bay give it its name. Stroll the main square, shaded by plane trees and enormous 120-year old date palms, and quiet except for the click of petanque balls and the soft exclamations of the players. Or ven…