Succumb to the island's irresistible charm!

Let us surprise you with this self-guided tour, meticulously prepared for you, to emblematic places and breathtaking landscapes, where each stage of the journey reveals a unique aspect of this land of contrasts: Ajaccio, the imperial city and its natural gems; Bonifacio, the magnificent town with its limestone cliffs; Corte, the historic heart of Corsica; Ile-Rousse, the land of craftsmen; and the breathtakingly beautiful Cap Corse.

 

We'll give you our top tips and secret addresses to enhance your one-to-one trip with Corsica. Get ready for an intimate love affair with Corsica!

 

ITINERARY DETAILS

DAY 1 AJACCIO

Arrival at Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte airport.

You will collect your hire car before setting off on the roads of Corsica.

Welcome to Ajaccio, a temperament as mild as its temperatures.

Its name alone evokes La Dolce Vita, sunny terraces, lively streets leading down to fishing ports and marinas with a Corsican accent, the shade of palm trees and an Empire spirit. Ajaccio, the hectic, central "capital of the south", knows how to adorn itself with gentleness and authenticity, and is overflowing with heritage treasures.

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Ajaccio and the surrounding area

 

DAY 2 AJACCIO

Stroll through the Ajaccio market

This is a haven for lovers of fresh, local produce. The region's producers proudly display their best specialities: tasty charcuterie, crisp canistrelli, authentic Corsican cheese tommes, as well as seasonal fruit and vegetables. A stroll here is a unique shopping experience where quality and tradition meet.

Unusual visit to the Ajaccio Citadel

If you like, Ajaccio can reveal its secrets to you today on an unusual, fun and informative tour, suitable for all ages, so you can learn while you have fun!

 

Option

Sea cruise in a top-of-the-range boat

Come aboard a unique vessel with underwater vision, in a small group, in the Gulf of Ajaccio towards the Sanguinaires Islands, during the day or at sunset.

 

Join a picturesque path leading to a lighthouse and a Genoese tower.

Opposite, on the main island, colonies of seabirds nest in complete tranquillity. It's also an exceptional natural site renowned for its flamboyant sunsets.

Restaurant with typical Corsican dishes, copious and delicious plates
Feeling hungry? Enjoy a starter of courgette fritters with mint, followed by veal tianu and a chestnut crème brûlée, all in a cosy setting.

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Ajaccio and the surrounding area

 

DAY 3 BONIFACIO

Explore the most Corsican of Corsican towns

This not-to-be-missed stopover in southern Corsica is so rich in discoveries and secrets that you absolutely must be guided: we'll tell you how!

Push open the door of a Moulinier producer

Patrick offers you a tasting of olive oils in an enchanting setting. Don't hesitate to go there, the place is charming and the products excellent.

Immortal scents

This place is a hidden treasure for those who appreciate natural, authentic products. Specialising in the production of essential oils, this artisanal production is committed to capturing the pure essence of exceptional flora.

 

Visit dazzling Bonifacio, like a fjord where luxurious yachts and sublime sailing ships nestle, home to a bustling seafront of cheerful restaurants and bars, and at the top, in high heels strongly discouraged for climbing, a Citadel of steep, typical streets where the mansions are perilously balanced on the emptiness of the chalk cliffs.

Accommodation in 2 or 3-star hotels in Bonifacio and the surrounding area

 

DAY 4 BONIFACIO

Optional

Sea cruise

Half-day catamaran trip: Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands

Experience an idyllic half-day aboard a catamaran, where every moment promises escape and adrenalin in a small group. You'll have the opportunity to take an active part in the manoeuvres, making the experience even more immersive and rewarding.
In short, it's the perfect day out. Once on board, the skipper will work with you to define the half-day programme, taking into account your preferences and the weather conditions. The catamaran, accommodating between 8 and 16 passengers, is ideally designed for a quick getaway, allowing you to explore the wonderful Lavezzi, Cavallo and Ratino islands, or marvel at the legendary cliffs of Bonifacio.
Take full advantage of the anchorages to explore the seabed with the masks, snorkels and paddle boards available on board. Whether you want to trim the sails, take the helm, or even watch for dolphins, this cruise is open to everyone, whatever their age, and promises exceptional sailing and quality stopovers.
This half-day at sea remains a privileged moment of discovery and relaxation, accessible to all those wishing to enjoy a unique maritime experience.

 

Discover Bonifacio differently

This tourist attraction in Bonifacio is a historic monument, offering a unique experience and a breathtaking view of the sea, Sardinia and the cliffs!

Visit the highest bastion in France

The bastion is an emblematic place to visit: you'll travel through the centuries and understand a little more about the town by visiting the landscaped garden with its 10 views, as well as the "1,000 years of history" exhibition in the underground rooms. Dating from the 15th century, dominating the port from the top of its 25 metres, it is the highest bastion in France. This imposing structure is the centrepiece of the fortifications!

A treasure cellar not to be missed

Jean-Jacques will share his passion for liqueurs with you. You're sure to love this unusual address, full of original recipes. Smell and taste his creations during an intoxicating tasting session enhanced by charcuterie and cheese from the island of beauty.

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Bonifacio and the surrounding area

 

DAY 5 CORTE

Discover the town of Porto-Vecchio

The Porto-Vecchio region has much more to offer than its famous beaches, such as Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara and other blond and turquoise wonders. As well as the charm of the Haute-Ville and its Bastion, its irresistible lively terraces, its narrow streets with chic shop windows, and the view of its salt marshes, you'll find plenty to satisfy your eyes and your spirit just a stone's throw away.

Go to the beach, one of the most beautiful in the world!

Don't miss this marvellous beach, one of the most beautiful on the island, a little paradise for young and old alike. The intense green of the umbrella pines, the turquoise blue and the flamboyant ochre of the rock.

A spectacular drive

It's a spectacular drive, with a 4 km stretch of narrow road and tight bends. The narrowness of the gorge gives you the impression of driving through a canyon.

Welcome to Corte

When you arrive in Corte, you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover the town, built at the foot of a citadel perched on a rocky outcrop 100 metres high! This picturesque town is very popular with tourists who love history and nature.

Accommodation in 2- or 3-star hotels in Corte and the surrounding area

 

DAY 6 CORTE

Climb up to the oldest part of the fortress

Take in the sights of Central Corsica from the city's highest point. This place is a must-see for tourists.

 

Europe's oldest grocery shop

Come and visit this rather surprising establishment. Passed down from generation to generation, this shop has retained all its authenticity.

 

Eat succulent cheeses in a sheepfold

Spend a convivial moment over a platter of succulent cheeses accompanied by bread and wine.

Accommodation in 2 or 3-star hotels in Corte and the surrounding area

 

DAY 7 ILE ROUSSE

Like us, you'll love this village

Along the way, take a stroll through a medieval village, classified as a village in bloom. Take a breath and admire the exceptional view of the Ostriconi and Agriate mountains. Download the village app and easily guide yourself through the streets.

The best honey in France

In the heart of a wild maquis, an exceptional honey is created... Discover it now!

Discover the town of Île-Rousse

At Île-Rousse, the lighthouse and Île de la Pietra, linked by a breakwater at the mouth of the harbour, offer a superb view of the town's turquoise bay. The Paolina town, founded in 1765 under the Republic of Pascal Paoli, is full of colourful, lively alleyways and has many charms, including the daily market under the vaulted courtyards.

 

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Île-Rousse.

 

DAY 8 ILE ROUSSE

Optional

Sailing to Scandola, Girolata and Piana from Calvi

From Calvi, aboard a 12-seater RIB with an enthusiastic guide, discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Scandola, then sail to the adorable fishing village of Girolata and on to the exceptional site of Piana. An unforgettable day punctuated by swimming stops! You may even be lucky enough to spot majestic Mobula rays and dolphins.

 

Optional extras

Sea trip to the Agriate from Calvi

From Calvi, aboard a 12-seater RIB, set off with an enthusiastic guide to discover the island's most beautiful wild beaches with white sand and turquoise waters along the Agriate coast, then enjoy a swim in an idyllic setting! The sunset will be part of the programme.

 

Welcome to Balagne

From the turquoise of its beaches to the brown of its mountains, Balagne is a little Corsica in itself. Open your eyes: the villages of the hinterland are waiting to greet you. Say hello to pastoral Pietralba, embrace Italian Lama and admire elegant Novella, with its rich olive-growing past.

 

The soul of Corsican craftsmanship is to be found in this village.

Explore an enchanting hilltop village where creative craftsmen vie with each other in imagination and talent, with polyphonic music echoing along the charming typical streets.

Climb up to the oldest village in Corsica

Let yourself be enchanted by one of the most beautiful villages in Corsica, as you stroll through its charming narrow streets and look for vestiges of the past.

 

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Île-Rousse.

 

DAY 9 BASTIA

A Corsican wonderland to lay your towel on

Looking for one of Corsica's wildest and most beautiful beaches? It's just a few minutes' drive from Île-Rousse and is easily accessible despite its remote location. The intensely beautiful site is a veritable natural tableau of many landscapes.

Fancy an ice cream?

In Saint-Florent, a master ice-cream maker with three "Glaces artisanales de France" labels is showcasing his products, where you can sample his signature flavour: vanilla-canistrelli.

Succumb to the charm of Patrimonio

Along the way, let yourself be seduced by Patrimonio and its internationally renowned vineyards. With its 30 cellars, the region will delight even the most delicate noses.

Welcome to Bastia

Bastia's narrow streets, whose colours play with the reflections of the sun, have an authentic baroque charm. Its Old Port is a gentle invitation to simple pleasures, to be savoured early in the morning, such as enjoying a coffee on the terrace while watching for the return of the fishermen. The pedestrianised Citadelle offers visitors a peaceful stroll. Bastia's narrow streets, whose colours play with the reflections of the sun, have an authentic baroque charm.

Accommodation in 2 or 3-star hotels in Bastia and the surrounding area

 

DAY 10 BASTIA

Explore the roads of Cap Corse

The appeal of Cap Corse is irresistible: light-coloured facades contrasting with the blue of the sea, lauze roofs, Genoese towers, unforgettable hikes along the Sentiers des Douaniers, cheerful terraces - what a programme!

 

Coffee break in a typical village on the water's edge

Take your first break in a charming village on the water's edge, alive with lively summer evenings and nicknamed the painters' nest. Its unique light and tranquil atmosphere make it an unmissable stopover.

Admire a village, its vaults and cobbled streets

Admire an ancient village of Roman origin where stone is omnipresent, a real gem with its cobbled streets, numerous vaults and Lauze roofs. The view of the sea and the port of Centuri is also magnificent.

Climb up to the Nonza tower

Stop off at a pretty fortified village perched like an eagle's nest above the sea on a cliff, offering a unique panorama of the Gulf of Saint-Florent.

Accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel in Bastia and the surrounding area

 

DAY 11 LUCCIANA

Bastia, an old fishing village

Bastia is a must for any island roadtrip worthy of the name. Corsica's second largest city after Ajaccio, this former fishing village has lost none of its charm. Treat yourself to a coffee at dawn in the Vieux Port, stroll around Place Saint-Nicolas or curl up with your partner in the Jardin Romieu: it's like an air of dolce vita...

Restaurant on the market square

Come and enjoy a moment of relaxation and indulgence, in the shade of the plane trees, on a convivial terrace. A superb address to discover and rediscover, for all lovers of fine Corsican cuisine and local produce.

Your hire car will be collected from Bastia airport.

You'll leave Bastia airport with lots of memories and the promise of coming back!

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