Corsica
To know before you go

It is sometimes said that Corsica is the most beautiful island in the world... Be that as it may, Corsica is a world unto itself.

Subtle perfumes, sublime landscapes where fig, chestnut and almond trees rub shoulders with myrtle, rosemary and mugwort... but also lavender, pine and other scents of the maquis, exacerbated by exceptional colors and an impressive mountain range encircled by an emerald or turquoise sea, reveal this island of beauty.

But Corsica is also about flavors and scents, gastronomy and authentic products defended by a proud and welcoming people, respectful of a rich history, heritage and age-old traditions.

Nicknamed "Kallistea" (the most beautiful) by the ancient Greeks, Corsica is truly a mountain in the sea, with more than 100 peaks rising above 2,000 m and no less than 1,000 km of coastline, where sheer cliffs border calanques of white sand and crystal-clear water.

One-fifth of the surface area of the "Isle of Beauty" is covered by scrubland offering exceptional flora and fauna, with almost 120 endemic plants recorded. Yet this paradise is only 180 km from Nice, 85 km from Italy and barely 15 km from Sardinia.

Catlante offers you the shortest route to discover Corsica and its splendors: the sea aboard large catamarans reserved for all publics, whether or not they are experienced sailors.

The Libeccio, a characteristic Corsican wind, will take you on a cruise aboard a spacious catamaran to some of the most beautiful sites on the west coast, with its succession of wild beaches with turquoise waters, steep cliffs and deep coves, and almost deserted inlets, far from the hustle and bustle.

During your cruise, you'll admire fabulous Genoese towers and fortresses, but you'll also be delighted by the charming little villages with their picturesque charm.

The ideal playground for lovers of relaxation, discovery, diving, history and gastronomy, your crews will share with you their love of Corsica, whose authenticity has remained intact.

A trip to Corsica is also a wonderful gastronomic experience. This cuisine, with its scents of maquis herbs such as oregano, marjoram and thyme, gives game and terrines their characteristic taste. You're bound to fall for charcuterie made from free-range pigs fed on acorns and chestnuts: lonzu, coppa, prisutu or figatelli.

Sheep's milk and goat's milk cheeses are not to be outdone, including the inimitable Bruccio, used in numerous recipes for omelettes and tarts.

For those with a sweet tooth, marvellous pastries made with chestnut flour or honey will delight the palate.

Ajaccio, the Sanguinaires islands, Cap Corse, the Agriates desert, the Lavezzi islands and Bonifacio are just some of the magnificent anchorages awaiting you, depending on the catamaran cruise you choose.

You'll set sail from Ajaccio, a city marked by the imprint of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Head for the Iles Sanguinaires, a listed maritime site that is home to numerous seabirds and beautiful endemic flora.

You'll sail to the charming fishing port of Cargèse and the Scandola reserve, with its dizzying, scarlet-colored peaks.

Your cruise will take you to Girolata (one of the stops on the legendary GR20 long-distance hiking trail) and the Agriates desert, with its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that inevitably remind you of the Caribbean.

Depending on your choice of tour, you'll also have the chance to stop off in France's southernmost archipelago: the Lavezzi Islands. With around a hundred small islets, divers and hikers will discover a veritable paradise of sheltered beaches and turquoise waters.

Just a stone's throw from the Lavezzi Islands is the undeniable charm of Bonifacio, where wandering through its picturesque, unspoilt streets is a real treat. Typical restaurants and boutiques are sure to delight you.

Corsica is definitely a world of its own.