The French island of Corsica is a sun-kissed holiday destination lying in the Mediterranean Sea. Most visitors stay close to towns and beaches at Bastia, Calvi, Ajaccio and Porto-Vecchio. A rental campervan offers the chance of gaining insights into the island’s rich heritage and exploring its mountainous interior.
The port at Bastia is the principal arrival point on Corsica for visitors arriving by ferry. The old port and its gourmet cafés, a magnificent citadel, St Jean’s Church and an interesting museum are the chief draws in the town. Ajaccio is home to Casa Buonaparte, Genoese towers and lots of religious structures. The pristine sands of St Francois Beach are just 10 minutes’ walk from Ajaccio.
Highlights of Corsica
The main draw of a Corsican holiday for many is beaches and lots of sunshine. As well as St Francois, other beaches only short rental car trips from Ajaccio include Olmeta and d’Argent. Those in the know claim Plage de Saleccia is the island’s finest beach. It is around one hour’s drive out of Bastia.
Calvi’s ancient citadel sits like a guardian angel above the sprawling town and offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean. Other Calvi delights are Santa Maria Church and the chance of taking coral-dive tours or cruises to Scandola Island.
The Bavella Needles are an inimitable sight on trips through the mountains of central Corsica. The 1,600-metre-high rock needles change colour according to the position of the sun. Two notable sights in this locality are Mt Incudine and Notre Dame des Neiges Statue.
Best Time to Visit Corsica
Of course, seeing Paris is a must. However, with a motorhome, this can be tricky. Therefore, it is recommended that you park the campervan in the outer-suburbs of Paris and use public transportation. From Paris, Versailles is only a short drive away too. France is home to brilliant mountain landscapes, so exploring the Pyrenees and the French Alps is highly advised.
Winters in Corsica tend to be damp and windy. It is better to visit between May and September to enjoy the attractions and beaches. July and August are fairly hot with temperatures hitting the 30°C mark, but these months are also when the island is at its busiest.
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Driving an RV in Corsica
Public transport in Corsica is not comprehensive and hire cars are sometimes the only way of getting off the beaten path. There are few motorways and drivers will invariably find themselves on pastoral routes which are a pleasure to travel on. The N193 is the island’s main through route and connects Bastia and Ajaccio.
Speed limits in built-up areas: 20-50kph.
Speed limits on highways: 90-110kph.
Alcohol/blood limit for drivers: 0.5 per cent.