At the end of June the Tour de France is coming to the beautiful Mediterranean island of Corsica for the first time. The dramatic mountain scenery, with many a hairpin bend and breathtaking views down to the sea, will make the most magnificent setting for what will be the 100th race.
View from the hills of Corsica looking down to the sea
Cycling around the island has always been popular though how people manage to wind their way up those mountains is beyond me. Public transport is limited so the best way to get around the island, for those that don’t fancy cycling, would be to hire a car. Even if you don’t hire one for the whole week, having the use of a car for a day or two would enable you to visit some very special places. Be warned though, exploring Corsica by car is not for the faint hearted as it won’t be long before you find yourself on a single track road with a sheer drop below, a herd of sheep in your way and a local hurtling towards you at an alarming rate!
Without your own transport though you’ll miss out on so many wonderful things. Here are just a few of my favourites.
The hilltop village of Pigna which has many lovely craft shops and some lovely restaurants
The view from the village of Sant’ Antonio
The charming hilltop town of Cobara
The view looking down across Calvi to the ancient citadel and the sweeping bay of crystal clear water
One of Corsica’s many stunning beaches
It is not just the mountains that are only accessible with your own transport, there are also many wonderful beaches from quiet secluded coves to long stretches of white sand that can get very busy in the height of summer. In their favour the later have all the amenities you might want, including car parks, restaurants and water sports.
Palombaggia beach, Southern Corsica
Ostriconi beach, North West Corsica
The view inland from the road where you park to walk down to Ostriconi beach
To reach the stunning beach of Ostriconi, which is never busy even in the height of summer, there’s a climb down the hill-side from the road, followed by a river to forge but it is well worth the effort.
Related Articles
Pigna, home to one of my favourite restaurants
Join my 'Behind the Scenes' newsletter
Delivered monthly to your inbox with all my behind the scenes news, latest posts and giveaways exclusive to my subscribers.
Incredible photos Kat! Definitely makes me want to go there. 🙂
Thanks Andrea. Corsica is a fabulous subject to photograph and one of my favourite places to visit (and the only place I’ve ever thought of moving to). I’m sure you would love it.
Wow! Those beaches look spectacular Kat! Hope I can fit it in some time soon.
I’m certain you would fall in love with Corsica like I have. Hope you get to swim in those crystal clear waters yourself one day.
Ooooh… Dreamy beach photos. We haven’t visited Corsica yet – but it looks like we’re going to have to put it on our list!
I hope you make it there one day… beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, with a backdrop of dramatic mountains plus delicious food and lovely people.. bliss!
The blues of the water and the sky are just beautiful, one for the travel wishlist for sure!
I know you’d love Corsica Lucy. I hope you get to visit one day.
It was very nearly my trip with the in-laws this summer but ended up a bit pricey so we are going for Montenegro instead, so maybe next year!
I thought Pigna looked perfect, but then we hit the beaches! Save me a spot on Ostroconi will you, please, Kat?
There’s a stretch of sand with your name on it! 🙂
Those views (and that lovely beach) look definitely worth the drive even though I belong to the faint of heart. It’s as Mediterranean as a place can get. Beautiful shots, Kat. 🙂
Thank you. It is a very photogenic place but hard to do it justice n a photograph.
We visited Corsica last year and loved Bonifacio in particular.
Bonifacio is lovely! I spent a few days based there while photographing holiday homes in the area. Sadly all my photographs are transparencies. Hope to go back there one day.
We have just bought a device that scans slides and it is very good.
I had heard that they were a lot better than they used to be. I’d love a note of the make and model please,either here or you could email me [email protected]
It is a Kaiser Baas Photo Maker, Model KBA03005
Thanks Debra. Sounds perfect but I can’t find it for sale anywhere in the UK. Will keep looking!
Those views are stunning! I could totally see myself cycling around! I am sure with the TdF coming, there will be loads of cyclists this year! Looks awesome.
Thanks Anita. I’m sure you would love it too! I hope you get to cycle there one day. It is so very beautiful.
Stunning images Kathryn – I must get myself to Corsica before too much longer it looks beautiful 🙂
Thanks Suzanne. Corsica makes a stunning subject and I’m sure you’d love it!