Geographic heart of the island, Corte was also the capital of Corsica from 1755 until 1769 during the "government of the Corsican nation" of Pascal Paoli. The town has preserved much evidence from this period, such as the National palace, which was the headquarters of this government and the Paoli square, where a bronze statue of Pascal Paoli stands.

The old town has an authentic character. Its old houses of schist and with Genoese venetian blinds form a harmonious architectural whole. The 15th-century Annunciation church and the Gaffori square with the statue and the house of general Gaffori are good places to visit. A viewpoint looks down on to the confluence of three rivers, the Restonica, the Tavignanu and the Orta.

Dominating the old town, the fortifications of the citadel are home to the Anthropology regional museum of Corsica. The southern point of the surrounding wall boasts a second level, a rocky promontory on which the Vincentello d'Istria castle stands. This eyrie offers a striking view of the town and the mountains.

On the outskirts of the town of Corte begin the Restonica gorges. The Restonica river lined with rocks and forests, is easily accessible on foot. Moreover, the torrent is a very popular location with swimmers. It's guaranteed to cool you down! The Restonica valley is also perfect for the practice of the other activities, such as hiking and the climbing.

The narrow road of the gorges, fifteen kilometres long, leads to the Grotelle sheepfolds, a location dotted with dry-stone buildings. This place offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and is the departure point for hikes in the upper Restonica valley, and especially for the Melo lake and the Capitello lake.

This site is a wonderful, wild, rocky gorge. At the foot of the high rock faces flows the Golo, the famous torrent that crosses the island. The Scala di Santa Regina road winds its way to the Niolo region and boasts numerous viewpoints of the gorges.

This region is the area of sweet chestnut par excellence. Dotted with pretty hilltop villages, Castagniccia is a beautiful set of hills covered with dense forests of chestnut trees.

Situated on the east coast, Aléria, the capital of ancient Corsica, was built by the Phoceans in the 6th century BC. The ancient settlement lies near Matra Fort, a 15th-century Genoese construction, and is famous for its forum and temple.

Reaching 2,710 metres at its highest point, the Monte Cinto is the highest peak of Corsica. Climbing it via the Biccarellu corridor is for confirmed ramblers only and takes around 7 hours. The view of the whole island from the top is breathtaking!

The pleasant seaside resort of L'Île-Rousse is very popular not only for its sandy beaches but also for its pretty paved streets, charming market hall with 21 columns and Paoli square full of plane trees in the heart of the town.

South of Bastia, this 1,800-hectare lagoon is the largest lake in Corsica. Listed as a Nature reserve, the Biguglia lake is a favourite place for numerous species of water birds, such as the purple heron, the great cormorant and the kingfisher.

City of Art and History, Bastia is also the chief town of Upper Corsica. Its old town has preserved its authentic aspect: typical narrow streets and period buildings of the Terra-Vecchia district; old picturesque port, with its 17th-century Saint-Jean-Baptiste church and the atmosphere of its cafés and restaurants. Near the old port, the Saint-Nicolas square is decorated with palm trees and is a very bustling location with its cafe terraces, in particular during the market on Sunday morning. The marketplace, lined with old houses, is very popular for its traditional market.

The Genoese citadel (Terra-Nova) was built between the 15th and the 17th century. Its ramparts are home to the Governors palace, the former residence of the Genoese governors, but also the 17th-century Sainte-Marie cathedral and the oratory of the 15th-century Sainte-Croix brotherhood (Sainte-Croix chapel).

In the heart of the Balagne region, Pigna is a delightful and charming village. Its flower-filled narrow streets and the pretty square are a real delight. Furthermore, crafts and music are really honoured here: The Festivoce festival in July is dedicated to polyphony (traditional Corsican vocal music), dance and theatre.

In the Bevinco valley, this beautiful Romanesque church with a white and green façade was built in around 1280. The exterior is decorated with numerous little sculptures.

This renowned and very popular seaside resort is an ancient Genoese town. The quaysides of the marina, a great place to walk, are lined with numerous restaurants and cafés. In the summer, it is very lively and the atmosphere is great. Its pier, running alongside the marina, offers a beautiful view of the Genoese citadel as well as of the colourful houses of the old town.

Saint-Florent is the starting point for the Agriates coast footpath, a beautiful pedestrian route between the sea and the Agriates Desert.

This hilltop village of the Balagne region dating from the 9th century is one of the oldest in Corsica. It is also one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France! Its narrow streets are lined with beautiful houses that have been tastefully restored. It is also possible to visit local craft shops. Benefiting from an exceptional geographic location, the village of Sant'Antonino offers a wonderful panoramic view of the coast and especially of Calvi and L'Île-Rousse. It is gorgeous!

The Corsica Regional Nature Park extends over 350,510 hectares, which represents about 40 % of the island, and covers both Corsica départements: Southern Corsica and Upper Corsica. It protects forests and mountain massifs of the central part of the island, as well as some renowned sites, such as the Col de Bavella pass, the mountain lakes, the nature reserve of Scandola and the Restonica gorges. This park is a paradise for those who love nature and beautiful landscapes, but also for hiking fans who can follow the GR 20 hiking trail, the famous long-distance footpath crossing the island from the Northwest to the Southeast. Other footpaths, also pleasant and rich in places of interest to discover, take walkers along the coast and through the interior of Corsica – like the Mare a Mare trail in the Upper Corsica and the Mare e Monti, which connects Cargèse to Calenzana.