Avapessa and its 80 inhabitants occupies an area of 300 hectares of land, stretching from the Regino plain to the heights of Capu di Bestia which culminates at 804meters.

Around 1850, there were 300 inhabitants in the village, and every parcel of land was cultivated with wheat and barley, grape vines, mulberry trees and most significantly, 50 hectares of olive trees most dating back to the 18th century.  Every family of course had its own vegetable garden and fruit trees.  Traditional sheep farming also played an important part in the life of the village families. 

Over time, farming and agriculture  declined throughout most of Corsica and in Avapessa also, but  the cultivation of the olive tree has continued and prospered.  Today, there is a modern olive oil production mill, owned by Valentin Salvatori, which provides excellent olive oil, and the village shepherds own approximately 750 head of sheep and 150 head of cattle.

The modernisation of the village began in the 70’s.  Under the auspices of  a dynamic local government team led by the present mayor Christian Reboul, major works transformed the infrastructure of Avapessa: drinking water was brought into every home and water for irrigation made available to all; a  sewage collection system  and  a treatment plant were completed; a local town hall and a local village hall were built and have been well used, and local roadways towards the Regino ended the virtual isolation of the village.  Avapessa then decided to make the village available to visitors and now offers 17 gîtes as well as a 16 bed structure, a gîte d’étape, for ramblers or those who merely require merely overnight shelter. 

Avapessa also undertook the restoration of both  Sainte Marie, the parish church dating from 1618, and  Saint Michel, a 12th century chapel. The renovation of stone paved paths has helped the preservation of the authentic look and feel to the village whilst all the works undertaken have ensured that Avepessa firmly fits into the 21st century.

In 2002, 9 more gîtes were created with a spa, a tennis court , and a local restaurant—one of the best in local area according to the Guide du Routard, and  the Petit Futé guides.  In the same year, construction began for 10 homes under the access to ownership scheme.

Avapessa is a rural village that has successfully created a green and environmentally conscious tourism structure with its gîtes, whilst espousing the modern convenience of  broadband internet access.  It is located 12km from L’Ile Rousse and 19km from Calvi and hence close to two ports and one airport and although it is an inland village, it is only 15minutes away from the nearest beach. It offers both sea and mountain, Corsica’s iconic image.