Contents
The surrounding area
Porto-Vecchio
To the south-east, "Portivechju“This is the jewel in the crown of the Far South, between the turquoise sea and the rugged mountains. Perched on its rocky promontory, the old town watches over the gulf, where the Tyrrhenian Sea laps gently. The ancients called it Portus Syracusanus - a Greek-sounding name that recalls the distant origins of this port with its lively history.
Climb up to the terrace of the Bastion de France, a vestige of the Genoese citadel: from up there, the panorama speaks for itself. The city opens up before you, and every street corner, every detail, seems to tell a story.
The old port stretches out below. Once industrial, now peaceful, it bears witness to an intense past. And as you sail along the coast, you'll see the mythical beaches of the South white sand, crystal-clear waters, sculpted rocks, fragrant scrubland, umbrella pines, water sports or just lazing around... where everything comes together in paradise.
And if you thought Porto-Vecchio was "just" the sea... turn around. There, just behind, U Spidali rises, a peaceful mountain village, on the heights of the commune. Its summit? The Punta di a Vacca Morta1,314 metres above sea level and breathtaking panoramas. Hiking, dams, forests, untouched nature... the call of the wild!Alta Rocca is never far away.
Bonifacio
Impossible to remain indifferent to Bonifacioperched in the far south of Corsica, like a stone mirage watched over by the turquoise waves. Surrounded by water and sculpted by the wind, the town stands on its limestone promontory, facing Sardinia, like a timeless sentinel.
The citadel, built at the top of vertiginous cliffs, overlooks the Bouches de Bonifacio. Here, the sea draws a line between two worlds, but the city itself seems timeless.
Its history dates back to the Neolithic period, and every nook and cranny bears the traces of the events that followed. Medieval architecture, churches, fortifications, narrow streets... Bonifacio is a book in stone, open to centuries of maritime adventures, conquests and spirituality.
But Bonifacio isn't just a picture postcard setting. It's an atmosphere. A breath of fresh air. An authentic local life, between crafts, gastronomyand bustling port. As you stroll through its narrow streets, contemplate its hidden coves, or set sail from the marina, you'll experience an intense, luminous and unforgettable Corsica.
Sartène
Nestling in the heart of the south of the island, Sartène is a veritable concentration of the island's soul. Some say "the most Corsican of Corsican towns". The sea stretches out in the distance, and from its heights, the town offers a majestic panorama of Corsica. Gulf of ValincoWith the mountains framing the horizon as a backdrop. Everything here is full of character, from the cobbled streets with lively squares, where daily life blends harmoniously with age-old traditions.
In the heart of Sartène, let yourself be seduced by the beauty of theChurch of Santa Maria Assunta, l'former palace of the genoese governorsnow the town hall, and thewatchtowerthe last vestige of a medieval rampart. Take a stroll around the Place de la Libération, or "Place Porta", a focal point for the locals, and feel the warmth of the town.
Sartène is also a place where living traditions take centre stage. The flagship event, the CatenacciuThe pilgrimage of the Way of the Cross will immerse you in the religious fervour of Christ's Way of the Cross, alongside pilgrims from the four corners of the world. As soon as spring arrives, the city comes alive with singing and choirs in the churches, lively markets and festive nights that light up the city well into the summer.
The lion of Roccapina
In the south-west of the island, between Senetosa and Bonifacio, the Lion of Roccapina overlooks the bay of the same name, like a sentinel towering above the neighbouring Genoese tower. Sculpted by the wind, sea spray and rain that have shaped the pink granite, this natural masterpiece is one of the numerous living monuments along the Corsican coastline. Each element of the landscape seems to come together to create a breathtaking natural tableau.
Legend has it that at the time of the Saracens, a lord of legendary courage lived in the region. The barbarians nicknamed him the Lion of Roccapina. One day, while hunting, he met a young woman, beautiful and enigmatic, with whom he fell madly in love. But he could not marry her. In despair, he invoked death and, in his grief, was petrified under the guise of a lion, where he guards the bay forever, like a silent protector.
A mythical place, at the bend of a sumptuous road, where nature and legend mingle.
Campomoro
La Campomoro Tower stands proudly on the west coast, imposing and majestic, like a living vestige of the past. Built in the 16th century by the Genoese, it is the largest of the Genoese towers of Corsica, culminating at 15 metres high. What makes it unique is its fortification in starA rare and impressive defensive design that testifies to its strategic role in the face of the threats of the time.
Recently restored in 1986, the tower now belongs to the Conservatoire du LittoralIt is one of the region's must-sees.
Visit first floorA permanent exhibition plunges you into the fascinating history of the Genoese towers and tells you about the Barbarians that have left their mark on the island's history.
Before reaching the foot of the tower, discover the sublime white sand beach of the same name, ideal for families.
Discover the customs trailand don't miss the unusual accommodation at the Senetosa lighthousePerfect for a moment of tranquillity and disconnection.
Ghisonaccia
Once a simple stopover on the transhumance routes of the Ghisoni shepherds, Ghisonaccia has undergone a metamorphosis over the decades. With the rise of agriculture in the 1960s, the fertile plain awakened, and the little village became a town in its own right, dynamic and prosperouswhich now has a population of over 4,000.
At the heart of the eastern plainwhere generous nature meets peaceful daily life. The commune extends with discretionIt offers its residents and visitors all the services of a modern city, without losing any of its traditional character. rural roots.
Ghisonaccia is also a front door towards contrasting landscapes : lagoons of the Pinia estate, ponds populated by migratory birds, long beaches of golden sand, and, a little higher up, the hanging villages in the mountains. A few kilometres away, the forests of eucalyptus meet the vinesthe orchardsthe olive grovesA mosaic of scents and colours.
And when the fine weather arrives, the town comes alive with the rhythm of the local marketsvillage festivals and summer evenings where music resounds under the stars. Visit traditions live their lives without ostentation, in the simple gestures of everyday life, in the open welcome of the locals, in the flavours of a generous cuisine.
Palu pond
To the east, between Ventiseri and Serra-di-Fiumorbu, l'Palu pond stretches out peacefully, a wild setting between sea and scrubland. Less well known than its neighbours to the south, this listed site Natura 2000 reveals, along an accessible path, all the richness of a region preserved ecosystem.
From the car park at the southern entrance to Vix, a path leads to the lagoon. On foot or by bike, the walk - between 45 minutes and 1h30 - skirts the reed beds and offers a suspended moment. You'll come across pink flamingos, grey herons, great grebes... A festival of wings and silence.
Take your time. Binoculars in hand, let yourself be carried along. And maybe you'll come across Julien Cugurnon, fisherman emblematic of the site, guardian of traditions and artisan of a rare treasure: the bottargaThis is the "caviar of the Mediterranean", extracted from mullets at the end of the summer.
On Sundays, we come here to take a breather, with your family or with friends. Fill up on nature before returning to the city. Here, everything is calm. And when the sun goes down, thepond goes up in flames.