Where To Visit In France - Corsica

Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean3,000 feet. The best views can be seen driving in an
Sea (after Sicily, Sardinia, and Cyprus). It is locatedanti clockwise direction down the west coast which
west of Italy, southeast of France, and north of thegives wonderful views of the mountains of Haute
island of Sardinia. Although Corsica is considered partCorse as you drive south with villages like Nonza
of France, it still has slightly more power than otherperched high above the sea. Centuri Port, in the
departments in the country and with some essentialnorthwest, has a distinctly Cornish air, and serves very
differences including its language and culture.good fish and lobster in its restaurants. Macinaggio, on
Corsica is made up of two departments:the northeast side, contrasts strongly with Centuri. It
Corse-du-Sud (department number 2A) andhas a modern marina providing shelter for many large
Haute-Corse (department number 2B). The region as ayachts.
whole has a population of 281,000 (approximate inThe lush area of Castagniccia, with its soft
January 2007). Ajaccio is the capital of the region andchestnut-covered hills and deep valleys, was once the
is located in Corse-du-Sud.richest in Corsica, with its huge crop of chestnuts
The island has a rich history including hundreds ofproviding flour. Chestnuts were also used to feed pigs
years of turbulence and foreign rule and it was only inwhich were processed into sausages and hams.
1768 that Corsica fell into French hands.Because of its dense covering of vegetation, this area
Although French is the official language and is spokenis always fresh and green, with no lack of water. The
by everybody, you will also hear Corsican which iscontrast between this area and the rest of the island is
close to Italian spoken everywhere, particularly in themarked and evidenced in the shape of the land and its
villages.architecture. Villages with slate-roofed houses are
Corsica is renowned for its charcuterie, including thedraped along the sides of the hills. The Castagniccia
smoked sausage and the ham made from wild boar.comes close to the sea at Moriani, and from here to
Other traditional foods include Corsican soup withBastia the villages of the Casinca hang on the
beans, meat and vegetables, small brown trout frommountainside overlooking the oriental plain and the sea.
the mountain rivers, game - including wild boar; lamb,Dominated by its citadel, Corte was once the capital of
goat, veal; beans and lentils and pulenta - a chestnutthe island, and is the seat of Corsica's University. The
flour porridge. Cheeses are made from sheep's milkold town, with its four or five storey houses, is
and include Brocciu, a soft white cheese as well asfascinating to explore. Corte is a good base for
more mature cheeses. Deserts and pastries arewalkers. There is the Tavignano valley, accessible only
memorable and include the famous 'fiadona' made withby foot; the Gorge of the Restonica, Lac de Melo and
the Brocciu cheese.Lac de Capitello; and further south Monte d'Oro, the
Why you should visit Corsica for your next holiday inForest of Vizzavona and the Cascade des Anglais.
FranceThe mountainous heart of the island is divided up into
The islands sheer warmth and beauty attracts manymany distinctive areas, but the Niolo is perhaps the
tourists each year and the summer months can getmost dramatic. It is a fertile basin at about 2,700 feet
quiet busy. Not far from the glitzy and commercializedabove sea level and ringed by the high mountains of
Riviera, Corsica still remains unspoiled and unchangedCorsica including Monte Cinto (8,800 feet) and Paglia
over the years, which only makes it more endearing.d'Orba.
Over 1000kms of coastline, including 800 beaches areThe scenery along the west coast from Girolata to
at your fingertips with little coves waiting to beCargese is stunning, with red granite cliffs dropping
explored. Further inland, the island is more rugged indramatically into the sea and few accessible beaches.
appearance with fabulous mountains and forest areas.Porto is probably the most photographed beach on the
The seas are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, sailing andisland, and is beautiful. Inland from Porto, the gorge of
windsurfing. If you like walking then the island hasthe Spelunca, a very deeply cut gorge with pink and
everything from easy strolls to challenging mountaingreen sheer granite slides, is one of the most
treks. There is an intricate network of ancientspectacular sights on the island.
footpaths and mule paths, criss-crossing the wholeThe elegant town of Ajaccoi, the birthplace of
island linking valley with valley and making Corsica aNapoleon, and capital of the island is reminiscent of the
walker's paradise. Horse riding is popular on the oldresorts of the Cote d'Azur. The Gulf of Ajaccio is
mule trails as are canoing and fishing on the rivers andbeautiful, culminating on the northern side with the Iles
streams.Sanguinaires. To the south there are lovely sandy
The climate in Corsica varies greatly depending on thebeaches and a well developed tourist industry with
altitude. The wild flowers first appear in February andPorticcio being one of the main holiday resorts of the
snow can be seen on the highest mountain tops untilarea.
late spring. From sea level to about 1500 feet, theThe Gulf of Valinco is beautiful and there are a wealth
climate and vegetation is typically Mediterranean, withof sandy beaches from Porto Pollo on its northern tip
hot dry summers and mild winters. Between 1,500 andto the little resort and fishing port of Campo Moro a
4,500 feet, the climate is similar but a little cooler thepretty little village which time has left behind.
higher one goes. Above 4,500 feet, an alpine climateBonifacio is a beautifully restored old town,
prevails, the sun is hot in summer, but the nights aremagnificently situated on its limestone promontory
cool, and in winter there is snow from September tolooking out towards the Island of Sardinia. Boat
May with skiing possible in many places. The island hasexcursions around the limestone cliffs and caves, or to
an average of greater than 2700 hours of sunshineSardinia, are possible. Just a short drive from Bonifacio
per year and the average sea temperature in theare some magnificent beaches and a spectacular golf
summer is 24 °C.course.
What to see in Corsica La Balagna, once called 'ThePorto-Vecchio is situated at the heart of a vast gulf
Garden of Corsica', is a fertile area of hills and valleys,with many beautiful beaches. The town of
bounded by the sea to the north and the highPorto-Vecchio was built in 1539 to complete the
mountains to the south. The valleys are covered bydefence system of the island and its fortress origins
olives, vines, fruit and citrus trees. Flocks of milkingare evident. Inland there are cork-oak forests. The
sheep graze the valleys and their milk is used in theOspedale Mountains and the dramatic Col de Bavella
production of Roquefort and local cheeses.are within easy reach of Porto-Vecchio.
The main town of Calvi - a small port dominated by itsHow to get there
ancient citadel, claims to be the birthplace ofBy Air
Christopher Columbus and it was during the siege ofCorsica has good air connections to France and most
Calvi that Nelson lost an eye.other European countries. There are direct flights from
Saint Florent is a small sheltered fishing port with goodLondon Gatwick to Corsica with British Airways.
beaches and a citadel. It is an excellent centre toBy Car
explore this area as well as the west coast of theThe fast ferry to Corsica runs from Nice and has a
Cap. In high season it is possible to take a ferry fromcrossing time of about 3 hours. There are also regular
Saint Florent to the beaches of the Desert desferries from Marseille and Toulon but these take
Agriates.between 7 and 12 hours. The journey to Nice is
The drive around Cap Corse is often slow andapproximately 1300km from Calais and will take
tortuous, but the stunningly varied scenery is well wortharound 11 hours.
the effort. Monte Stello is the highest point at about