About Corsica
Corsica is a large and mountainous French Mediterranean island that rests enticingly between the French Riviera, Sardinia, and Tuscany. Corsica will entrance you with its rugged, mountainous beauty, dramatic rocks and cliffs, quaint Mediterranean ports, quiet anchorages, relaxed lifestyle, and superb yachting destinations. Add a typically French flavor to all this, and you’ll see why Corsica is such a French favorite and outstanding charter destination.
Getting There
The best way to reach Corsica, of course, is by boat. The island is accessible from the French mainland - a day`s sail or 3-4 hours by motor yacht from the French Riviera. It's easily reachable as well by ferry or plane from all major French airports. It's also close to Tuscany, and within easy reach of Propriano or the Tuscan Islands.
Corsica nearly touches La Maddalena and Sardinia to its south, and the two islands are often combined on a charter itinerary, allowing a comparison of the French and Italian Mediterranean Island approach to life and vacationing.
Climate and Weather
The coastal areas of Corsica have a Mediterranean climate - with temperatures ranging from 12°C/50°F in the winter to 28°C/80°F in the summer. There is very little rainfall in the summer, making it ideal for holidays and charters. Prevailing winds are south-westerly, westerly and north-westerly.
The climate varies considerably with altitude - at about 1500 meters the island becomes becomes alpine and the peaks are often covered with snow. There are many micro-climates on the island because of the mountains, and the north is generally hotter than the south.
History of Corsica
Because of its beauty and strategic position, Corsica has a long history of conflict, invasion, sacking, and occupation. Thieves and pirates used Corsica to trade and store their treasure, and ambushed travelers in the mountainous center of the island. Corsica has been conquered and possessed by Ancient Greece, Phocéens, Rome, Syracuse, the Moors, Genoa, Pisa and Sardinia.
Throughout its entire history of occupation, however, Corsican nationalists have struggled for control of the island - the islands was never easy to occupy. These struggles have had various levels of success and have been known as "vendettas" - the spirit of which lives on today.
French Troops first arrived in 1553, mainly fighting the Genoese for control of the strategic island. This struggle continued for over 200 years, until the Genoese withdrew and the island was fully controlled by the French in 1769 - the year Napoleon was born in Ajaccio as a French Citizen.
About the Individual Ports of Corsica
Corsica has numerous enticing charter ports.
Ajaccio
The birthplace of Napoleon, Ajaccio is situated on one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world, surrounded on three sides by mountains that protect it and make it an excellent charter destination. Often described as an elegant (but perhaps slightly boring) city, Ajaccio is attractive for its old town, relaxing cafés and the views of its glorious bay. Visitors to Ajaccio can still visit Napoleon's birthplace.
Bastia
The ageless port of Bastia, on the North East coast of Corsica just below Cap Corsica, is the commercial center of Corsica - a bustling city of 40,000 inhabitants. It can be subject to harsh winds and weather, but regardless boasts 340 sunny days per year. The main attractions are the place St-Nicolas, Terra Vecchia, the old quarter, and Terra Nova, the area surrounding the Citadelle
Bonifacio
Bonifacio is a narrow peninsula of white limestone that is ideal if you're looking for a picturesque anchorage. The beautiful haute ville offers winding streets with Genoese architecture, and rises out of sheer, weathered cliffs. Its natural port offers plenty of restaurants and shops, and is frequented in the summer by yachts from throughout the Med.
Being on the southern tip of Corsica, Bonifacio is also an ideal location to explore Sardinia and the beautiful La Maddalena National Park.
Calvi
Calvi is a delightful town with Roman origin the Northwest coast of Corsica, renowned for its impressive 13th-century citadel with three bastions and long ramparts. You will find plenty of restaurants and cafés on the quai Landry, the seafront walkway linking the marina and the port.
L'Île Rousse
L'Île Rousse derives its name from the Île de la Pietra, an islet directly to the north of red granite that affords excellent views of the town. Originally founded by Pascal Paoli as a protected port to attack the Genoese, it is now is an "in" charter destination and offers a beautiful central square and abundant plane trees that keep the town cool.
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A glimpse of the variety offered by Corsica: beautiful sand, turquoise water, rugged mountains
All types of yachting fit in perfectly in Corsica
The key chartering destinations in Corsica. Note the proximity to Sardinia and Tuscany
Stunning rock formations in the Gulf of Ajaccio
The quaint port town of Calvi as seen from the ramparts
Bastia Port
Sail moorings near Calvi
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Porto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio is near the most beautiful Beaches of the South of Corsica, the most famous being Palombaggia. Often called the "city of salt" because it was built on dried salt marshes, it is an excellent port for luxury yachts. It is a charming destination as well as a great base for exploring both the neighboring islands and the wild back country of Corsica.
Propriano
Propriano is a fishing harbor in the narrowest part of the Valinco Golf. It has a lively commercial center and its numerous stores allow for an easy provisioning. Its natural harbor was once frequented by the ancient Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, but became a key target for Saracen pirate raids in the 18th century, when it was largely destroyed. It is a thriving tourist town and close to excellent beaches, including plage de lido.
Saint-Florent
Saint-Florent is a fishing port and chic tourist town in the North West of Corsica. It a relaxed place with a good number of restaurants. It's the marina which is jammed with expensive boats throughout the summer. Saint-Florent offers proximity to the famous Patrimonio vineyards and Saleccia Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
Corsican Food and Wine
Corsican food derives from its fishing and agricultural history and the natural bounty of olives and other Mediterranean specialties. Indigenous herbs such as thyme, basil, fennel, and rosemary and the scented brush called maquis give Corsican cuisine its distinctive flavor. Corsican specialties are charcuterie (cooked and processed pork, often fed with chestnuts), chestnut fritters (fritelli a gaju frescu) and chestnut cake (pulenta). Brocciu, a soft cheese made with ewe's milk, is found everywhere and is the basis for many dishes, including omelettes stuffed with brocciu and mint, and cannelloni al brocciu. Hard Corsican cheese is also very good.
Corsica is well known for its subtle rosé and dry white wines. The most famous are Patrimonio (near Saint Florent) and Ajaccio wines.
Our Charter Yachts
Boatbookings.com can find you the ideal charter yacht in Corsica. Click here so see our Corsica Charter Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.
 
Other French Destinations: the French Riviera Cannes | Antibes | St Tropez | Monaco
Photos courtesy of Lizzie Martin (thanks Lizzie!) and Google Maps
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