The diverse departement of Corse du Sud, located in the south-eastern part of Corsica might be most well known for its beaches, seaside resorts and pretty cliff top villages, but venture a few kilometres inland and you will find some of the most spectacular scenery in all of France. Mountains dominate the landscape away from the coast, where you can also find medieval villages, prehistoric settlements and several nature reserves.
Some of the most popular of Corsica's beaches are located on the east coast of Corse du Sud, along a stretch of sand known as the Cote des Nacres. Long, wide sandy beaches, backed by sand dunes and forests, offer safe and sheltered bathing. There are few towns and villages in this part of Corsica, but most beaches are still equipped with amenities like toilets, showers and snack bars. Porto Vecchio is one of the more lively seaside resorts in this part of France, boasting several sandy beaches, a pleasant old town and lots of bars and restaurants. The coastal town of Ajaccio is worth a visit, with its traditional harbour and promenade, while it is only a short drive to the nearest sandy beaches. More significantly, Ajaccio was the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the family home has become a museum to the man who declared himself Emperoro of France, featuring many of his own personal possessions and keepsakes.
Drive only a few kilometres inland in Corse du Sud and you will find yourself starting to climb steep mountains on narrow, twisting roads. There are several hilltop villages in this area that offer great views over the island and the Mediterranean, such as those in the Alta Roca. Zonza is one of the most visited, with its traditional granite housing and pleasant surroundings, while several walking trails through the nearby hills depart from this point. For those who are interested in more ancient scenery and settlements, the Filitosa archaeological site is only a short distance north of the town of Sartene. One of the largest such sites in Europe, the area is particularly well known for its standing stones covered in carved faces. A circular walk takes you through the whole area in just a couple of hours. If you prefer a more rigorous and challenging walk, the G20 footpath that crosses the island from top to bottom, passes through one of its most difficult stretches in the Corsica Regional Nature Park.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Corse du Sud? Then below is a selection of gites in Corse du Sud and villas in Corse du Sud that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
