The citadel walls of Bonifacio above the harbour and its yachts
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Luxury in France

Corsica

The wild island of France: Bonifacio on its white cliffs, the turquoise beaches of Porto-Vecchio, the Lavezzi Islands by yacht, and mountains that fall straight into the sea.

The citadel and harbour, Bonifacio, CorsicaPhotograph: arnaud audoin

Benvenuti

The mountain in the sea

Corsica is a mountain range rising from the sea, its peaks snow-capped well into spring, its coast cut into gulfs, coves and red granite cliffs. Genoa ruled it for centuries, it was briefly independent under Pasquale Paoli, and in 1768 it passed to France, the year before Napoleon was born in Ajaccio.

In the far south, the old town of Bonifacio stands on white limestone cliffs above the strait that separates Corsica from Sardinia. Nearby, the beaches of Porto-Vecchio and the Lavezzi Islands have some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.

On the west coast, the Scandola nature reserve and the Gulf of Porto are World Heritage, and the interior keeps stone villages, chestnut forests and its own language, Corsican. The island is best explored by yacht along the coast, or from a private villa in the south.

A few words of French
EnglishFrenchSay it
HelloBonjourbohn-ZHOOR
PleaseS'il vous plaîtseel voo PLAY
Thank youMercimair-SEE
Good eveningBonsoirbohn-SWAHR
The bill, pleaseL'addition, s'il vous plaîtlah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLAY

Where to go

Corsica at a glance

When to go, the one best hotel and table, and how to arrive privately.

Corsica

Best time to visitJune and September are ideal: a warm sea, the hotels and beach restaurants open, and the coves and harbours far calmer than in July and August. Most of the island's best hotels close from late October to April.

  • Stay
    Domaine du Mouflon d'Or (two MICHELIN Keys)

    An estate in the Alta Rocca hills above the gulf of Porto-Vecchio, Corsica's highest-rated hotel.

  • Dine
    Casadelmar

    On the gulf of Porto-Vecchio, Corsica's only two-MICHELIN-star restaurant, a two-star since 2009.

  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Figari Sud-Corse (FSC / LFKF), with a 2,480-metre runway, is the airport for Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, each about 25 to 30 minutes by car. Calvi Sainte-Catherine (CLY / LFKC) is about 10 to 15 minutes by car from Calvi. Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte (AJA / LFKJ), about 5 km from Ajaccio harbour, serves the west coast, and Bastia Poretta (BIA / LFKB) the north-east.
By helicopter
No regular transfer service; private helicopter charters can be arranged from all four airports.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. The harbours of Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio and Calvi each lie at the foot of their old towns.

Stay

Luxury hotels in Corsica

The finest hotels in and around Corsica: each rated Forbes Five-Star, holding two or three MICHELIN Keys, or among the 25 Finest Resorts of the Mediterranean.

The finest hotels

Each rated Forbes Five-Star or holding two or three MICHELIN Keys.

  • Domaine du Mouflon d'OrZonza, Corsica

    An estate hotel in the Alta Rocca hills above Porto-Vecchio, with two MICHELIN Keys.

Private villas and estates

  • Le CollectionistParis (Mediterranean coverage)

    Founded in 2014 and B Corp certified, it grades its homes into three collections; we point to the top two, Signature and Iconic, its most exceptional houses, each backed by concierge support from local offices. Visit website ↗

Dine

The best restaurants in Corsica

The finest tables of Corsica and around.

Two MICHELIN stars

Cruises

Corsica by sea

How the ships arrive in Corsica, and the luxury lines that call.

Ships berth below the old town of Ajaccio; at Calvi they anchor in the bay, and at Bonifacio small ships sail into the harbour beneath the cliffs while larger ones anchor outside.

Of the luxury lines, Four Seasons Yachts begins and ends voyages here.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Corsica

The finest things to do in and around Corsica.

Golf

Sport and motoring

  • Tour de Corse HistoriqueCorsica, France

    A week-long historic rally each October, about 1,000 km around the island with some 400 km of timed stages, named Rally or Tour of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards.

Live

Luxury real estate in Corsica

A home in Corsica: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Emile GarcinProvence

    Emile Garcin began dealing in houses in the Alpilles and the Luberon in the early 1960s; the firm that bears his name now has offices across Provence, the French Riviera and Corsica, as well as in Paris and Marrakech, and says it takes on only about one property in seven. Visit website ↗

All the leading agencies in France ›

Looking for a home in Corsica? Write to travel@TheMediterranean.com and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Corsica and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Corsica

Where is Corsica?

In the Mediterranean south-east of the French Riviera and north of Sardinia. Figari airport, near Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, takes private jets, as do Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi; Nice is about 45 minutes by air.

What is Corsica famous for?

Its wild mountains and coast, Bonifacio on its cliffs, the beaches of Porto-Vecchio, the Scandola reserve, Napoleon’s birthplace in Ajaccio, and its own culture and language.

When is the best time to visit Corsica?

June and September are ideal: a warm sea, the hotels and beach restaurants open, and the coves and harbours far calmer than in July and August.

Where are the best luxury hotels in Corsica?

Domaine du Mouflon d'Or (two MICHELIN Keys).

How do you arrive in Corsica by private jet?

Figari Sud-Corse (FSC / LFKF), with a 2,480-metre runway, is the airport for Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, each about 25 to 30 minutes by car.

Which are the best restaurants in Corsica?

The finest table on our list: Casadelmar (Porto-Vecchio).

Do you tip in Corsica?

Service is included in menu prices by law (service compris), so a tip is a gesture: about 5% (€1 per €20), and 5–10% for exceptional service at high-end restaurants. Round up taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a concierge who goes out of their way.

What should you wear in Corsica?

Dress respectfully in churches. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart, polished dress for fine dining.

Beyond Corsica

More in France

Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Cap Ferrat, and the Mediterranean beyond.

FranceLuxury French Riviera Holidays & HotelsExplore FranceThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Corsica, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Corsica

How France does things.

Language
French. English is widely spoken in luxury hotels and leading restaurants on the Riviera and in Paris.
Greetings
A handshake on first meeting. Among friends, la bise (cheek kisses); the number varies by region, two being most common. Always say bonjour (or bonsoir in the evening) on entering a shop or speaking to staff; use monsieur / madame.
Dress
Dress respectfully in churches. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart, polished dress for fine dining.
Dining
Lunch typically 12–2 pm; dinner from about 7.30–8 pm. Book ahead at good restaurants. The bill comes when you ask.
Tipping
Service is included in menu prices by law (service compris), so a tip is a gesture: about 5% (€1 per €20), and 5–10% for exceptional service at high-end restaurants. Round up taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a concierge who goes out of their way.
Good to know
Many shops close on Sundays, and in smaller towns for a long lunch. Restaurants often stop serving lunch around 2 pm.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.