Corsica, known as the scented isle, is a rugged and unspoiled region of France with a unique character shaped by centuries of invasion and occupation.
While it is officially French due to its historical destiny, its proximity to Sardinia, only 11 kilometers away, lends it an Italian influence. The narrow strait between the two islands, called Bocche di Bonifacio, is renowned as one of the windiest points in the Mediterranean Sea.
Corsica’s landscape is predominantly mountainous, featuring high cliffs, rocky inlets along the coast, and a diverse interior. Deep forests, glacial lakes, gorges, maquis-covered slopes, and snow-capped granite peaks define its terrain. The maquis, resilient and harsh, is adorned with a variety of plants like gorse, broom, laurel, juniper, myrtle, and lentisk, along with fragrant herbs such as cistus, lavender, asphodel, heather, sage, and thyme. The wilderness areas of Corsica captivate all who visit, with the fragrance of maquis flowers earning the island its moniker, the “Scented Isle.”
The local culture finds expression in folk music and handicrafts, while a strong nationalist spirit pervades Corsica. Even today, the Corsican language is fluently spoken and taught in schools. This unique language is a blend of Italian and elements of the Sardinian dialect, evidenced by road signs being in both French and Corsican.
Corsica boasts approximately 1,000 km of coastline, a third of which comprises beautiful beaches. With an area of 8,681 square km and a population of 324,212, the island is characterized by its famous roads with thrilling hairpin bends, zigzags, and steep drops. Driving through these twists may seem daunting, but the average speed rarely exceeds 30-40 km/h. Corsicans tend to measure distances not in kilometers but in the time needed to traverse them, reflecting the unique rhythm of life on this captivating island.
Collection of high-end rental villas in Corsica
