Corsica

The island of Corsica is both dramatic and beautiful. The scenery is spectacular, with bays of white sand lapped by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. At certain times of the year, the entire island is ablaze with exotic flowers, aided by Corsica’s excellent sunshine record.

For an island of relatively small size, Corsica offers a remarkable amount: sunkissed beaches, spectacular mountains, historical monuments, quiet hillside villages and busy port towns. It is on this island that Napoléon Bonaparte was born and spent a significant part of his early career; the town of Ajaccio has a museum and several statues dedicated to him. Alongside these are typically Mediterranean buildings, trendy cafés and bars, and a generous sprinkling of palm trees.

Corsica is regarded by some as the jewel of the Mediterranean islands and is made up of two départements: Haute Corse (Upper Corsica) and Corse du Sud (Southern Corsica). The island has endured a bloody history, having been much disputed by the Greeks, Romans and Lombards. Five hundred years of Italian rule have influenced the look of the island with Italian-style hilltop hamlets and villages developed alongside mountain springs. Many of the villages feature rustic, unadorned churches and also a few Romanesque examples.

The variety of scenery is spectacular. Across much of this stunning island, one can discover dramatic gorges, glacial lakes, gushing mountain torrents and magnificent pine and chestnut forests. You’ll also experience the celebrated perfume of the Corsican maquis: a tangled undergrowth of fragrant herbs, flowers and bushes that fills the warm spring and summer air.

Scenery as dramatic as that of the Calanches of Piana is rarely found in Europe. Said to have been carved by the devil, these giant, red cliffs and rock formations are Homeric in nature, plummeting down into the sparkling sea. Corsica is no stranger to rocky precipices – the citadel of Corte, perched on a ragged promontory, is the western gateway to its mountainous heart, which is home to various species of protected wildlife. To the south can be found prehistoric monuments and exquisite beaches, while the east has forested hills sheltering hidden villages, a paradise for walkers who can choose from the many paths that crisscross the island or tackle the famous GR20. 

Places of interest

Ajaccio: A dazzling white city full of Napoleonic memorabilia; Musée Fesch.

Bastia: Historic citadel towering over the headland. The old town has preserved its streets in the form of steps connected by vaulted passages, converging on the Vieux port (the old port). The new port is the real commercial port of the island.

Cuisine of the region

Brocchui: Sheeps’ milk cheese is used much in cooking in both its soft form (savoury or sweet) or more mature and ripened.

Capone: Local eels, cut up and grilled on a spit over a charcoal fire.

Dziminu: Fish soup, like bouillabaisse, but much hotter. Made with peppers and pimentos.

Figatelli: A sausage made of dried and spiced pork with liver. A popular snack between meals.

Pibronata: A highly spiced local sauce.

Prisuttu: A peppered smoked ham; that resembles the Italian prosciutto, but with chestnut flavour added.