Brian's Place

Some Places To Enjoy Life... In Corsica

A view of Propriano on the south west coast, one of our favourite parts of Corsica, taken from a self-catering villa (the Bergerie Murteto) near Olmeto.

• Why Corsica?
• Why you might not like Corsica
• On the other hand...
• Corsica for walkers
• Everything you could possibly want to know about Corsica
• Pictures, Not Words

• You will find all of my travel photoblogs (with pictures and more links) here in my Categorian blog.
• Don't miss the photoblog on Corsican Cats!
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• If you follow the links in the right hand panel, you will hopefully find a lot of useful or interesting information. The first (reddish-brown) link will take you to a map of Corsica marked up with our favourite sites, restaurants, hotels etc.
• Links in that panel will generally open in a new window.

Why Corsica?

Why you might not like Corsica

There are a few reasons why you might not like Corsica, so let's get those out of the way!

First of all, if you don't like France, or the French, then Corsica is definitely not for you. The island is (not surprisingly) full of native Corsicans, who speak French (and you may also hear the local language, u Corsu), and at many times of year it is also full of French people on holiday. It doesn't feel like a tourist resort - but if you like to "blend in" then you'll be very welcome.

Also, Corsica is a (sometimes fiercely) independent part of France. Corsica is to France much what Wales is to England, except that it is a little smaller than Wales (although the terrain makes it seem larger), the mountains are much higher (many over 2,000 metres), and the weather is much better. As in Wales, you see signs in two languages, some punctured with bullet holes, although this may simply be target practice on the part of local hunters. Foreigners who acquire holiday homes in Corsica, as distinct from settling there permanently, have sometimes had their homes blown up.

On the other hand...

Corsica is a large, very beautiful and mostly very rugged island in the Mediterranean sea, which mixes flavours of France, Italy and (in some ways) Crete. It straddes an imaginary line drawn between Rome in Italy and the Pyrenees mountains separating France from Spain. Its western shores generally rise steeply from the sea; there are plenty of places where you can swim a few strokes off the granite rocks and find yourself in more than 80 feet of clear water.

• A suggestion for swimmers:
• If you go to Corsica, take your snorkel and mask (and maybe fins as well), or buy some when you get there.
• Although the Mediterranean is relatively depopulated of fish, compared to how it used to be when I first visited the island, much of the swimming is a lot more interesting (and sometimes safer, especially when getting out) if you can see clearly what is going on underwater.
• The snorkel and mask will also come in useful in the crystal-clear mountain streams and pools, which can be very inviting on hot days!
• You will find lots more information on snorkeling and diving in Corsica here.

Much of the island is covered with maquis, an aromatic (and often spiky) collection of shrubs that gives the island a unique scent. Arriving in Corsica by boat (as we did once, 4th class on deck, from Marseilles) the scent is sometimes the first thing that greets you. The pure air and the scent of the maquis and the pine forests are things that you will really miss when you return to the smell of industrial progress in other countries!

Corsica for walkers

Corsica is an island for people who love walking. It has many well-maintained footpaths (some of these being mule-tracks, which make for relatively easy walking in mountainous terrain), and some particularly beautiful forests.

Walks vary from a gentle stroll in the Forest of Vizzavona to the famous GR20.

You will find a lot of information about walking in Corsica here, and in the great sites mentioned below.

Everything you could possibly want to know about Corsica...

You will find a real treasure trove of information, and many more reasons for going to Corsica, at the following superb site, a true labour of love on the part of its authors:

Corsica Isula - Corsica from the inside

This is sometimes a little difficult to navigate, but that is partly because there is so much excellent information provided!

In addition, you will find many good Corsica links here.

If you haven't already done so, take a look at my own map. You will find, among other things, a few recommendations on good restaurants and some of our own favourite places.