Backroads of France - Corsica & French Riviera
For those who want to see France off-the-beaten-track, Corsica will definitely deliver. While a lot of people confuse it to be a part of Italy, given that it is closer to Italy than France, this “Island of Beauty” packs a ton of attractive port town, jagged coastline with a national park, and central mountains with splendid drives and picturesque little hamlets. It has it’s own culture – its own music, its own cuisine, own traditions and as a result, its own identity. There is no shortage of things to do – from snorkeling & scuba diving, to wine & cheese tasting, to hiking & beaches – its the whole package.
Trip Highlights
- Start your trip in Nice, on the French Riviera – drive on the Corniches to Monte Carlo in Monaco, stroll around in the charming medieval Èze and sail the calm waters of Villefranche bay. Then take a ferry from Nice to Corsica.
- Experience the rugged beauty and biodiversity of Corsica’s Scandola Nature Reserve taking in the red cliffs and volcanic headlands of the coastline and the coves, beaches, grottoes, islets, and sea stacks upon which the translucent waters lap.
- Check out the birthplace of Corsica’s most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte – now a museum, Maison Bonaparte is filled with preserved period furniture and the family’s personal possessions
- Head south from Ajaccio, soaking in unparalleled views of crenellated ridgelines and fractal coastal bays as you entre the island’s wine region – relatively undiscovered
- Finish your trip in Marseilles – France’s oldest city and the cultural bridge between Europe and North Africa. Lose yourself in Le Panier – the city’s oldest quarter, continuously inhabited since 600 BC, or take a drive out to the Calanques National park where you can swim or kayak the shallow turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require a visa to visit France.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 8-10 days for this itinerary, especially if you want to visit Corsica and the Riviera. You may wish to spend an additional 3-4 days in Paris at the end or at the beginning of the trip (as Paris is the most convenient airport)
Best time to visit
Being a Mediterranean island, Corsica is an year-round destination, with a lot of north Europeans coming down for vacation during the cold months (Nov-Feb). Jun-Aug is the peak summer season, with long hot days. We recommend shoulder months of Apri-May and Sep-Nov for visiting Corsica
beaches, diving & snorkelling, gastronomy, wines, coastal train rides, scenic drives through picturesque villages
Did you know
- Although French is the official language, Corsican people are more comfortable in speaking Corsu, which has been the tradition since ages. Corsu is more an oral language than written
- If you want to blend in with the locals, get yourself a Bleu de Chine jacket. They can be bought at most outdoor markets. Be sure to wash it in the sea a few times and allow it to dry in the sun to create the sought-after faded, worn Corsican look
- Chestnuts and figs grow prolifically on the island. Cakes, desserts, pancakes and even beer is made with chestnuts. Be Corsican and drink Pietra. Look out for the fig trees everywhere on the island and try fig jam with a strong Corsican cheese.
- A Corsican chemist, Angelo Mariani, invented a tonic drink made of coca leaves and wine, in 1863. The tonic was known as Vin Mariani. It was a huge success and led Mariani to introduce it to the U.S. as “French wine Cola”. Mariani even received a medal of appreciation from Pope Leo XIII. The Coca-Cola we know today in its non-alcoholic form was first made in 1885.
