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France may be the number one destination in the world, but that doesn’t mean it is given justice by a majority of its 100 million annual visitors.
Paris is indeed beautiful, and summers on the Côte d’Azur are nothing short of wonderful, but there is much more they are missing something.
For example, one of the largest, most culturally charged and beautiful islands in the Mediterranean belongs to France, and while it is not as popular as Italy’s Sicily, Spain’s Balearic Islands or Greece’s trendy Crete, it is just as incredibly a sunny refuge.
Underrated Corsica and the shining blue water calls, and here they are 5 reasons why you should answer:
It’s just different from everywhere else in France
Corsica is a unique destination in that it is separate from the mainland, and as undeniably French as it may be, it exists in a very different microcosm than that of elegant, Haussman-dominated Paris, or the Celtic and Germanic roots of North France.
In fact, it belongs to the Southern European group, and over the centuries it has developed closer relations with Italyso much so that it has its own language, which some claim is an Italian dialect, which might not be the case further cultural from the capital.
Instead of leafy boulevards with stately buildings, you can expect ocher-colored narrow streets; less of Paris’ haute cuisine, more elements of the Italian diet and an abundance of seafood; none of the fast life in the capital: this is a Mediterranean island after all and life unfolds much more slowly.
Corsica is beautiful and warm
Being located in the south of Europe, where the climate is subtropical, Corsica experiences mild weather all year round, with mild winters and scorching hot summers. one of the most popular destinations in France.
On average, in the warmer months in Ajaccio, the Corsican capital, it is a pleasant 23°C, while in Bastia, the island’s main port and one of its cultural centres, temperatures regularly rise above 23°C, with only a temperature of 23°C. 16% chance of a cloudy day.
The best time to visit is undoubtedly between May and September, when precipitation is low and the sun is at its peak: in other words, it is extremely unlikely your beach day will be ruined by rain, or the breathtaking mountain views will be covered by gloomy clouds.
The nature is breathtaking
Speaking of nature: Corsica is best known for its coastal landscape, unspoilt nature and the mountainous north.
It is true that some of the French, if not EEurope’s most picturesque landscapes are located, and you will definitely want to take the time to explore them in depth.
Top sights include the Piana calanquea narrow water inlet flanked by towering limestone cliffs, scenic Girolata, a UNESCO protected gulf, the desolate Agriates Desert and the Cascade des Anglaisa crystal clear waterfall found at the end of a green walk.
Corsica’s main attraction, however, is the Maldives-like beaches that line it aquatic waters: the kilometre-long Palombaggia is the best known, although other virgin sands with powdered sugar can also be found near Santa Giulia, Ostriconi, Sperone and even in the rugged north of Saleccia.
An overlooked cultural hotspot
France is known around the world for its cultural heritage, with Paris being the quintessential European capital, and the country as a whole being dotted with fairytale towns and castles; Corsica clearly leans more towards the Italian sidebut that doesn’t mean it has nothing to add to the mix.
Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, is an open-air museum of Baroque art; the aforementioned Bastia is a heavily fortified Mediterranean port surrounded by Genoese walls; On the southern tip of the island, peaceful Bonifacio sits atop small cliffs overlooking the azure sea.
On the ancient side, the Aleria archaeological zone near Bastia offers a glimpse into life on the island during Roman times, and it is just one of many: all over Corsica there are postcard ready, pastel-colored villages nestled in lush green mountains and historic sites begging to be explored:
It is more exclusive than the Azure Coast
Finally, Corsica can feel more exclusive than other French destinations, especially the tourist-filled Côte d’Azur, home to celebrity-visited Cannes and Saint-Tropez; despite the beautiful nature and pristine beaches, it’s not nearly as busy.
The largest conurbation (Ajaccio) is quite picturesque, with just 70,000 inhabitants, and other towns feel more like small towns, with limited traffic pollution, pedestrian-friendly streets, traditional local markets and green spaces everywhere you go.
Don’t get us wrong, Corsica gets relatively busy in the summer months by normal tourist standards, but given that this is France we’re talking about, which tens of millions of people visit every year, the modest 6 million share is hardly that large. means bad news for observant guests.
How to get to Corsica from the US?
There are four main commercial airports in Corsica, with the best connections being Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, with flights from Paris (Orly) and Nice, two popular access points for Americans visiting France in the summer, and other seasonal non-stop connections offered from a wide range of European hubs.
The other airports are located near the towns and holiday resorts of Bastia, Calvi and Figari, and are mainly served by low-cost airlines during the busy summer months, connecting the island to other European (mainly northern) destinations.
Currently there are no transatlantic flights between the United States and Corsica, meaning a trip from the US will inevitably include a stop at a secondary hub, likely in Paris, where the most frequent service to Corsica takes place.
If you are already in Europe, direct flights from Paris (Orly) to Corsica (Ajaccio) start from as cheap as $47.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
