Talking Location With … Terri Lewis: FRANCE
Hidden Corsica
25th January 2022
Corsica, a mountainous Mediterranean island, presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, dense forest and craggy peaks. It’s an ideal holiday destination. Its beaches range from busy Pietracorbara to remote Saleccia and Rondinara. It’s been part of France since 1768 but retains a distinct Italian culture. It has many hidden gems to explore. Let’s get started!
Bonifacio: City of Cliffs, on the Southern coast of the island, is one of Corsica’s best-kept secrets. It is a combination of stunning chalk-white limestone cliffs that have been sculpted by erosion, plus some amazing human architecture. The Citadel of Bonifacio is built on a narrow peninsula over the cliffs. You can visit the Citadel, walk along the cliffs, head to the Capo Pertusato (the southern tip of Corsica), get down to Saint-Antoine beach – all those offer impressive views of the cliffs. The boat tours to admire the cliffs from the sea are some of the best things to do in Corsica. You can clearly see how some of the houses are hanging over water!
On to Patrimonio on the North coast. The region is dedicated to wine agriculture. Patrimonio received its ‘appellation’ in 1968 making it the oldest out of the nine AOC regions on the island of Corsica. The appellation covers land around the towns of Saint-Florent, Farinole, Barbaggio, Oletta and the eponymous Patrimonio – all on the western side of the Massif du Monte Stello. The village has one of the most beautiful churches in Corsica and hills separate the area from the sea. A lovely place just to wander around and sample some of the very fine wines!
San Giovanni beach is on the South coast of the island and is worth visiting for its beautiful sculpted rocks and pristine sand. It really is a secret spot. You have to know where you are going to find it. This beach has a peaceful natural vibe – and you can often visit (especially out of high season) without seeing another human. Explore or just soak up the atmosphere.
Restonica Gorge is near the town of Corte in the centre of Corsica. This drive up is considered one of the most scenic on the island. It goes through a narrow canyon to the start of hiking trails to the Melo lake. It is wild, raw with a sharp summit, snow, river and small waterfalls when the snow melts. The rocks on either side of the gorge are very dramatic and covered in trees, mostly pine and birch, but also lots of flowers such as green-flowering hellebores and white and pink cistus.
Calvi Citadel on the north of the island was built in the 13th century and is still inhabited. You can walk around (with an audio guide if you want to learn more). From the fortification walls, don’t miss the views of the bay and mountains on one side and the Revellata peninsula on the other side. The Citadel is best admired from the Calvi beach. A piece of history set in an amazing location.
Time now, perhaps, for a relaxing beachfront meal. Le Matahari is situated in La Balagne quite close to Calvi. White-clothed tables, strung along the sand and topped with straw parasols, evoke a tropical paradise at this special hideaway. The stylish interior is shabby-chic, the waiters wear white and boaters, and the food is Mediterranean fusion: penne à la langouste (spiny lobster with pasta), sesame-coated tuna steak, fish teriyaki. Opening hours are weather-dependent, so call ahead; reservations are essential.
We hope you have enjoyed your virtual trip around some of our favourite hidden places on the fabulous island of Corsica. And don’t forget to look at our curated list of Ten Great Books set in Corsica.
Tony for the TripFiction team
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