Marseille - Porto Vecchio

It's clear to see why Corsica is known as the Isle of Beauty. Like a mountain in the sea, it offers its residents and visitors landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth.

Its sandy beaches, turquoise waters, rocks of a thousand colors, pine forests and hilltop villages are etched in the memory of anyone who is fortunate enough to gaze upon them. Set off from Marseille for Porto-Vecchio and Corsica so you, too can admire them.

An island boasting many different facets

Corsica wasn't always the jewel in France's crown. Located less than 20 kilometers from Sardinia and only 100 kilometers from the Italian coast, the island belonged to the Republic of Genoa until 1768. It was only after the fall of the Republic of Corsica that Louis XV obtained its attachment to the rest of his kingdom.

The Corsican's history, insularity and character have contributed to preserving the traditions of the Isle of Beauty. From north to south, the Corsican language is still spoken. And it's not uncommon to hear polyphonic singing at village celebrations and prayer vigils.

Natural, cultural and gastronomic riches

As the highest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Corsica unveils a variety of panoramas. In just a few kilometers, a traveler can go from a cove with translucent waters to the maquis scrubland. After just a few minutes' drive, the lagoons and dunes of the coastline give way to forests, mountains and lakes.

Natural, cultural and gastronomic treasures

As the highest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Corsica unveils a variety of landscapes. Within just a few kilometers, you can move from a cove with translucent waters to the maquis. After just a few minutes' drive, the lagoons and dunes of the coastline give way to forests, mountains, and lakes.

Human hands have also given the region some sites not to be missed. Bonifacio and its cliff-face staircase, the menhirs of Filitosa and the remains of the prehistoric fortress of Cucuruzzu are well worth a stop. 

During your outings in Corsica, in Porto-Vecchio or elsewhere, take the time to observe the flora and fauna. The island is teeming with native species. Holm oak, strawberry tree, immortelle, heather and thyme are the kings of the maquis, while laricio pine, juniper and barberry rule the mountains. With a little luck and patience, you'll come across a mouflon, a wild boar or even a bottlenose dolphin. And don't forget to look up! A nuthatch, a bearded vulture or an osprey may be flying right over your head. 

Another way to discover the Isle of Beauty is through its gastronomy. Regional products are transformed into sublime specialities, proof of the Corsican's know-how. Charcuterie and cheeses are among the must-tries of the island's cuisine. Several recipes, such as prisuttu (a ham on the bone), coppa di Corsica, lonzu (a salted and dried pork tenderloin with herbs) and brocciu (goat's cheese), are protected by the PDO label. But these are not the only local delicacies. Seafood, chestnuts, honey, olive oil and clementines are also on the menu. 
Eager to sample the island's flavors? 
Discover without further ado our restaurant menu! On board our ferry to Porto-Vecchio, you'll enjoy seasonal dishes accompanied by the finest Corsican wines selected by our sommelier.

When you choose a Marseille-Porto-Vecchio crossing, you arrive in the heart of the region's third most populated municipality in the region. The gateway to southern Corsica, the Genoese city is a tourist destinationby itself. 
 

Porto-Vecchio and its citadel

Founded in antiquity by the Greeks, the town found a second wind in the 16th century, in 1539, when the Genoese decided to build a fortress here. However, malaria and pirates prevented the port of Porto-Vecchio from developing. It wasn't until the 19th century, when the marshes were drained, that the town began to prosper, thanks to its port activity and then tourism.
 

Must-see places

Once you disembark from our ferry in Porto-Vecchio, exploration begins! While summer is the liveliest season, the Genoese town can be visited all year round. You will probably notice it even before getting off the boat in Porto-Vecchio. With its five defensive bastions, the citadel overlooks the port. Behind the walls, pierced with loopholes and crowned with watchtowers, lies the beating heart of the old town. Restaurants, shops, and ice-cream parlors welcome tourists and locals alike around the Place de la République and the Church of Saint John the Baptist.

Climb to the top of the Bastion de France and the Genoese tower before evening falls and the crowds fill the narrow streets and bars of the upper town. From there, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the salt marshes.

Salt production ceased in the 2000s, but for more than two centuries, salt harvesting shaped the life of the town. In Corsica, Porto-Vecchio was even nicknamed the “city of salt.” The salt pans used for salt farming can still be seen, though nature is slowly taking over. Pink flamingos and herons have replaced the salt workers. They have been joined by a grey pelican that escaped from a wildlife reserve in southern France. Renamed Harris by local residents, the bird has become the mascot of the salt marshes.
 

Porto-Vecchio's beaches are among the most beautiful in Corsica and France. If the fine sands of Santa Giulia are an invitation to idleness, it's hard to resist the call of the translucent water and activities at the nautical base. The sea is shallow here so little ones can have fun while never going out of their depth. In Palombaggia too, the sand is fine and the water is almost transparent. The beach, sheltered by umbrella pines, retains its wild character. On busy days, it's best to choose one of the peninsula's other coves, Tamaricciu, Folaca or Asciaghju. A series of six beaches in total runs for six kilometers.

Finally, while visiting Porto-Vecchio, take the opportunity to visit L'Ospedale, a 30-minute drive away. Beyond the fountain, the stone houses and the sundial that give the village its charm, lies a forest of beech and laricio pines. If you continue into the forest, you'll reach the dam and waterfall of Piscia di Gallu.

Want to discover Southern Corsica, its landscapes and traditions? Our crew awaits you aboard the Girolata, our boat between Marseille and Porto-Vecchio, to take you on a journey that will remain among your fondest memories.

The Girolata is the perfect way to discover Corsica, its landscapes and its traditions.