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Island and administrative region of France
Photo: Louis Moutard-Martin (SHIPMANIA.jimdo.com), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Corsica (French: Corse, Corsican: Corsica) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of Italy. It is a region of France. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and, on the coast at least, a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname île de beauté (island of beauty). The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive culture.
The chestnut is one of the island's mainstay foods and is used in many meals including desserts.
Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local charcuterie reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat.
Similar to Italian canestrelli, these are typical Corsican biscuits that come in many different flavours.
Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured olive oil made from ripe fruits collected under trees.
Corsica even has its own brand of cola, reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked "Américain ou corse?" when ordering a cola. Double points for responding "Corsica-Cola, per piacè!".
By plane
There are four airports on the island: , , and These airports have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with Air Corsica and Air France.
By bus
Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours.
By train
France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ajaccio · Regional · AJA
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the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man
the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza.
at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica
has a nice historic site with megalith stones
a port town connected by sea to Marseille, Toulon and Porto Torres
on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel
a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute
the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery
a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea.
a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi
a port town with a red rock that gives the city its name, a small lighthouse in operation since 1857, and a Genoese tower at the top
this village has Roman ruins, a Genoese fort and a 16th-century church, and is a good base for a beach holiday
a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast
Figari is a village in South Corsica.
its old town with its winding streets is beautiful, and has a great view over the Balagne to the sea on one side and the high mountains on the other
a small village with the only remaining square Genoese tower still standing on the island
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