Among Corsica's legendary beaches, Palombaggia beach, to the south of Porto-Vecchio, is one of the most beautiful on the island and indeed in all of Europe. Against a backdrop of pink-hued rocks and centuries-old parasol pines, its fine sand and crystal-clear water in a thousand shades of blue make it a very inviting place for swimmers and sunbathers of all ages. Its shallow water makes it a safe place for children to swim. A little bonus feature is the superb view of the Cerbicale Islands, a nature reserve made up of four small islands and two rocky islets that are home to seabirds, including European shags.

As for the equally gorgeous Santa Giulia beach, it's known for its white sand, dense pine forest, translucent water in turquoise tones, and gently sloping shore that makes it suitable for young children. Its slightly wild aspect makes it popular with lovers of authentic natural environments, and water sports fans can enjoy their favourite pursuits in an enchanting setting. Santa Giulia also offers a lovely view of the Cerbicale Islands.

After a spot of sunbathing on the beaches of Porto-Vecchio, be sure to pay a visit to L'Ospédale. At 900 metres above sea level, it's the first village in the heights of the famous Corsican seaside resort and a great place to enjoy a change of scenery in the mountainous landscapes. When you reach the massif, you can enjoy exceptional views from the Ospédale Dam, a veritable stone citadel that stands 25 metres tall and supplies water to the southernmost part of the island, and on the way out from the village.

The Ospédale Massif alternates between rocky scree and pine and cork oak forests, enchanting lovers of wild and authentic sites. One highlight of the Ospédale Forest is its large artificial lake, nestling among the laricio pines and beech trees. You can go hiking there, as well as enjoying all kinds of activities such as a treetop rope course, quad biking, mountain biking, bungee jumping… At the heart of the forest, a marked path will lead you to the Piscia di Gallu, a 60-metre-high waterfall.

Situated north of Porto-Vecchio, this coast is composed of long sand beaches and bays lined with pine forests. The scenery is stunning, particularly the bays of Fautea and Favone. Fans of relaxation, swimming and sandy beaches will be delighted!

Famous for its upper town, Bonifacio is also known for its steep white limestone cliffs. Perched on a white cliff, the old town is protected by its citadel and dominates proudly the sea and the marina. The narrow streets of the upper town are lined with restaurants offering Corsican specialities.

Numerous sea tour operators let you to discover caves and cliffs. In the area, the beaches of Bonifacio are very pleasant.

At the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, 1.5 hours from Bonifacio, the Bavella Massif is a spectacular site that's popular with lovers of nature, hiking and climbing. Its spectacular granite needles tower over the Col de Bavella, one of the four great mountain passes in Corsica, which connects the two sides of the island. With a height of 1,218 metres, it's considered the most beautiful pass in Corsica due to its splendid, far-reaching views!

The Bavella Massif is also remarkable for its deep canyons, natural swimming pools with crystal-clear water, surprising rock formations, and beautiful, fragrant conifer forests. The colours of the rock, ranging from light red to dark grey, combine with the green hues of the pine trees to create a picture of tremendous natural beauty.

There are hiking trails for different levels of ability, from the Trou de la Bombe, a manageable trail through a laricio pine forest with an elevation gain of 200 metres, to the itinerary around the Bavella Needles, a long and challenging trek for seasoned hikers only. Other sports activities are also available, such as climbing and via ferrata, as well as canyoning in the canyons of Purcaraccia, Pulischellu and La Vacca.

The Alta Rocca is a beautiful group of mountains and hills dotted with oak forests, chestnut trees and pines. This sector has numerous hilltop villages, such as that of Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano. Near this village is a beautiful Genoese bridge, the Spin'a Cavallu.

Zonza, a mountain village with granite houses, is a pleasant setting-out point for walkers, especially for an excursion to the Bavella massif.

Prosper Mérimée, the author of Colomba, defined Sartène as "the most Corsican of Corsican towns". It has indeed preserved an authentic heritage and deeply rooted ancestral traditions, such as the Catenacciu procession on the evening of Good Friday.

The journey from Bonifacio to Sartène is a delight in itself, with a superb road winding its way between sea, rocks and maquis shrubland. The medieval town, perched on a rocky peak that towers proudly over the Rizzanese Valley, stands out for its charm and aesthetic appeal. At the heart of Sartène, in the old neighbourhood of Pitraghju, the tall granite houses, covered passages and cobbled lanes form a harmonious whole that invites you on a journey back in time through the centuries. The watchtower and its adjoining rampart built in the 16th century are the last remains of the town's ancient walls.

At the top of Sartène's old town, you can also pay a visit to the Archaeology Museum of Corsica, which displays prehistoric collections as well as Roman and medieval ones. These remarkable exhibits, uncovered in the Sartène area and all throughout the island, are traces of Corsica's first inhabitants. From the museum, you can also enjoy a lovely view over the Gulf of Valinco and the Rizzanese Valley.

The vast municipality of 200 km² also boasts 2,600 hectares of vineyards, known for producing wines benefiting from an Appellation of Controlled Origin (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée). Be sure to make time for a tasting!

Covering 440,200 hectares, the Regional Natural Park of Corsica makes up 51% of the island and covers two departments, Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse. It's a paradise for nature-lovers and hikers.

The Regional Natural Park of Corsica has nearly 1,500 of marked hiking trails, its greatest attraction. From easy walks for occasional ramblers to the rocky GR20 for more experienced trekkers, there's something for everyone. The famous GR20, a renowned long-distance itinerary running from the north-west to the south-east of the island, is the star of Corsica's hiking trails. However, there are also some lesser-known trails, like the Mare a Mare Nord from Moriani Plage to Cargèse, or the Mare e Monti Nord between Calenzana and Cargèse, that are every bit as enjoyable and packed with sights to see. Whatever you choose, the gorgeous scenery is sure to amaze you and remain etched in your memory.

The mission of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica is to protect the forests and mountains in the central part of the island, as well as a number of renowned sites that include the Scandola Nature Reserve. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magical site between land and sea is a must-visit. You'll be amazed by its sublime landscapes, dotted with seabirds who have made it their home.

With its famous pink granite needles, the Bavella Massif culminating at 1,899 metres above sea level is another highlight of the Park. The Restonica Gorges, in the valley of the same name, have been listed as a great national site. The park's amazing landscapes and many protected wildlife species make it a first-class place to visit. The Restonica, a river that runs for 18 kilometres, offers many natural swimming pools filled with irresistible, crystal-clear water, ideal for a refreshing dip.

The Fango Valley, a listed natural site covering more than 23,000 hectares, is another gem of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica. At its heart, the Piriu Forest is covered in eucalyptus trees, maritime and laricio pines, and centuries-old holm oaks that are some of the oldest in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Prehistoric landmark in a remarkable natural area is renowned for its alignments of statue-menhirs with carved faces. Its collections of megalithic and prehistoric art have borne precious witness to human history for 8,000 years.

Discovered after the Second World War by the landowner, the prehistoric site of Filitosa was explored with the help of an archaeologist, who unearthed some 70 statue-menhirs and other traces of the past. Located in the municipality of Sollacaro, in the Taravo Valley in Corse-du-Sud, this prestigious site offers an open-air exhibition of evidence of a human presence in this area, from the early Neolithic to the Roman era.

At the heart of nature, a well-marked itinerary enables visitors to admire each sculpture. The masterful Filitosa V is one of the most impressive statues, standing 3 metres tall and weighing more than 2 tonnes. Surrounded by a wall, the fortified oppidum is brimming with archaeological treasures, including the fascinating Filitosa VI, a statue broken into three parts with a face and a sword. You can also admire the Western Monument, built around a rocky overhang above the valley, and the alignment of five statue-menhirs at the foot of an olive tree, a listed Remarkable Tree that's over a thousand years old.

The mountains and hills that surround the beautiful village of Coti-Chiavari are covered with prolific forests and fragrant Southern vegetation. This hiker's paradise is remarkable for having been the site of a penitentiary during the Second Empire, between 1855 and 1906. Around 800 convicts carried out agricultural tasks in extremely harsh conditions. It was those prisoners who planted the eucalyptuses, which are now magnificent century-old trees. The site has since been restored to host a variety of events.

This marvellous place, between sea and mountains, is now entirely dedicated to relaxation and leisure. Hikers here can enjoy the many paths that wind their way through the holm oaks and eucalyptus trees. Botany enthusiasts are sure to appreciate the southern European flora that thrives in this land of forests and garrigue. In the shade of the trees, sights and scents intermingle to offer a cocktail of unusual sensations, and the views over the Gulf of Ajaccio are superb.

Popular with cyclists, the road lined by majestic eucalyptus trees will also offer you some lovely viewpoints over the coast.