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Corsica (French:
Corse; Corsican and Italian: Corsica) is the
fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after
Sicily, sardinia and Cyprus). It is located west
of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and
north of the island of Sardinia .
Corsica is one of
the 26 regions of France, although strictly
speaking Corsica is designated as a "territorial
collectivity" (collectivité territoriale) by law.
As a territorial collectivity, it enjoys greater
powers than other French régions, but for the
most part its status is quite similar. Corsica
is referred to as a "région" in common speech,
and is almost always listed among the other
régions of France. |
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Although the island is separated from the continental
mainland by the Ligurian Sea and is much closer to the
Italian than to the French mainland, politically Corsica
is part of Metropolitan France. It was once briefly an
independent Corsican Republic, until being incorporated
into France in 1768.
Corsica
is famed as the birthplace of Napoleón Bonaparte. His
ancestral home, Casa Buonaparte, is located there. |
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Corsica is the "the
island of beauty", with its contrasting colors:
blue like the vast sea, dark green like its
laricio pines, ochre like its Genoese towers and
red like its creeks.
Once described as "That mountain in the sea,"
the isle of Corsica, with over 600 miles of
sandy beaches, and crested by 9,000 foot peaks,
lies in the heart of the Western Mediterranean.
Easily accessible by air and sea, Corsica is
just 110 miles off the Southeastern coast of
France and 50 miles from the shores of Italy. |
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The wealth of tourist
interest in this island is indisputably its natural
heritage.
Corsica is nothing like the image we have of a
Mediterranean island. In fact, no other Mediterranean
island has Corsica's lushness.
With its conservation areas and nature reserves which
have been given national recognition or registered on
Unesco's world heritage list, its International marine
reserve, and its Regional Nature Reserve which stretches
from one side to the other of its mountain range, from
Calvi to Porto-Vecchio, Corsica remains for the most
part a protected island.
With more than 2000 plant species, Corsica will dazzle
you with colour.
Five nature reserves protect some unique flora and fauna
with the Cerbicale Isles that provide a sanctuary for
crested cormorants,the Lavezzi Isles where 68 species of
fish have been recorded, the Finocchiarola and Scandola
Isles that are France's leading land and sea reserve,
and the Biguglia lagoon where 127 species of aquatic
birds nest. |
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In the spring everything is in bloom and the maquis is
at its most fragrant, autumn is also a delight when the
chestnut harvest is celebrated in the hilltop villages,
making Corsica a delight to explore whatever the season. |
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MOST
BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN CORSICA |
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Ajaccio
Ajaccio is one of
the biggest cities in Corsica and the native place of
Napoleon Bonaparte. The city boasts a lot of markets in
Ajaccio and a large offer of out-doors activities that
can be practice all the year around. |
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www.ajaccio-tourisme.com |
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Bastia
Bastia is a baroque
town of culture and a dynamic costal resort. Its name
comes from the “Bastille” , the fortress that dominates
the town. The church of Saint Jean Baptist, Corsica’s
largest church, will not fail to amaze you with their
ornate Baroque interiors. |
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www.bastia-tourisme.com |
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Bonifacio
Bonifacio is a city
which is exposed to the open sea and to winds which rush
in the narrows with an incredible violence. The town's
charm and proximity to idyllic beaches makes it a
popular tourist destination in the summer. Bonifacio is
also a gateway to the small Isles Lavezzi), which are
the southernmost part of France, and have been
designated a marine preserve by the French government.
www.bonifacio.fr |
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Calvi
The second most
popular tourist’s town of Corsica has a lot to offer:
from Jazz concert, ramble and Polyphonic Recital to trip
to the sea, painting exhibition and pony trek.
www.balagne-corsica.com
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Corte
Enclosed in the heart of a region of mountains and lakes,
the region Centru-di-Corsica is a geographic crossroads
characterised by its high summits with their abrupt
cliffs, its torrents, its deep valleys and its pine and
beech forests. Corte is also the former capital of
independent Corsica founded by Pasquale Paoli.
www.corte-tourisme.com |
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Ile-Rousse
Built on a bay bounded to the north west by the rocky
islets of red porphyry which give it its name, and to
the south by an immaculate white sand beach, l’Île-Rousse
is presented to the tourist in all its beauty, extending
westwards from the sea to the hill of the Sémaphore and
the col de Fogata.
www.ot-ile-rousse.fr |
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Porto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio is a fabulous place to spend its holidays
in Corsica. It cumulates numerous points of interest:
magnificent beaches, splendid wild mountains, a large
offer of clubs and entertainments for all the family.
www.accueil-portovecchio.com |
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