Guide to Corsica

In France we call Corsica l’île de beauté, or the island of beauty. And you’ll soon find out why :) 

The Balagne region of North Corsica is known for its mountainous landscapes, picturesque villages and turquoise sea.

If you can, we highly recommend sticking around a bit before or after the wedding to explore this very special place!

What to do in Corsica

With beautiful cities, mountains as high as the Alps, and stunning beaches, there’s so much to do in Corsica — here are some of our favorite spots.

Close to the wedding venue (10 min - 1 hour drive)

  • Hike to the ruins of Occi, an old village with a stunning view on the Calvi bay

  • Explore the lovely high-up villages of Pigna and Sant Antonino

  • Swim in the Scandola reserve (only accessible by boat)

  • Check out the beautiful beaches of Sant Ambroggio, Algajola, Spano, and Arinella

  • Walk around Calvi to check out the city, citadel, and the old port

  • Discover L’Île-Rousse with its charming market and central plaza

  • Take a dip in the beautiful river Fango — Juan’s favorite place in Corsica! Park your car here and walk towards the river

A bit further away (1 - 2 hour drive)

For more inspiration, check out the website of Balagne Tourism and Corsica Tourism.

Even further away (2+ hour drive)

If you’re planning to check out other parts of the island, there’s so much more to see! Here are some ideas for longer trips:

  • Cap Corse, the top “thumb” of the island, is a beautiful area perfect for a small roadtrip

  • Bonifacio, a lovely town right on the southern tip of the island, where you can also take a 1-hour ferry to Sardinia

Where to eat

Corsica is known for its incredible combination of French and Italian cuisine. You can find restaurants almost everywhere, but here are some of our favorites.

Calvi area

  • Restaurant Santa Maria is a great spot right by the church we’ll be married in!

  • Piaghja is an incredible outdoor restaurant with a stunning 360-degree view of the mountains

Algajola

  • Le Chariot with its freshly baked pizzas has been an Albouy family favorite since the 1970s!

  • Along the beach of Algajola there are lots of nice restaurants in any price class

Pigna

  • Casa Musicale serves delicious grilled local meats and fish with incredible view, making it a great excuse to visit this cute village!

Lumio

  • Le Matahari serves great seafood on the beach, but is a bit pricy

  • Le Pain de Sucre has similar seafood dishes and is also right on the beach

What to taste

Corsicans know how to live, and the food they make is delicious! There’s so much to try, but some of the best local specialties include:

  • goat cheese (extra good with local fig jam!)

  • brocciu, a famous local cheese used in tons of recipes

  • canistrelli cookies

  • wild boar dishes, served as a stew, casserole, or pasta

  • cured meats like lonzu, figatellu, prisutu, and salamu

  • local honey

  • Pietra, the local beer that’s brewed with chestnut

  • Orezza, the sparkling spring water that’s from the north of Corsica

…and of course fresh seafood, amazing local wines, and everything else there is to love about the Mediterranean!

Prufittate u vostru pranzu !

A bit of history

  • Inhabited since prehistoric times, Corsica has been successively ruled by various powers including the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Moors

  • In the 13th century, the Republic of Genoa (you’ll spot a lot of “Genoese” towers from this time!) asserted control over Corsica

  • In 1768, Genoa ceded Corsica to France (thanks!)

Fun facts

  • Corsican, the local language, is a beautiful mix of French & Italian

  • Christopher Columbus was born in Calvi, Corsica

  • Napoleon was born in Corsica, right when Genoa ceded it to France

  • 40% of Corsica is a protected nature reserve

  • Le maquis makes up the rich, aromatic fauna of Corsica and includes 2500+ plants, including 130 that are unique to the island

  • Astérix in Corsica is one of the best in the series, and has been translated to English and Dutch