Corsica in December
Corsica is one of French people's favourite destinations. Although crowds flock to its fabulous beaches in summer, Corsica reveals itself
in a different light in autumn and winter: more intimate, more relaxed and also more exquisite.
Monte Cinto adorns its white robe, Corsican specialities with chestnuts are centre staged in kitchens and,
even though temperatures drop, the weather is still mild.
Come and discover the Island of Beauty in December.
HEAD FOR CORSICA IN DECEMBER
La Corse, ne l’oublions pas, est une région montagneuse. À l’approche de l’hiver, les massifs montagneux se couvrent de neige et les stations de ski ouvrent leurs portes. Elles sont au nombre de trois :
It's always worth remembering that Corsica's a mountainous region. As winter comes around, mountain ranges are covered with snow and ski resorts throw open their doors. Three resorts exist in the region:
- Val d’Ese (1,620 m - 1,750 m) with its 4 slopes (including cross-country skiing) at 40 min from Ajaccio
- Ghisoni (1,580 m - 1,870 m) with its 7 slopes
- Vergio (1,400 m - 1,540 m), Corsica's oldest resort, featuring a slope running through the forest.
And, if ever you wish to enjoy your stay in Corsica in December to explore snow-covered landscapes, snowshoe outings are a must. We recommend heading for Vizzavona Forest, near Ajaccio. Its little hamlet will welcome you with open arms where you can taste a host of local specialities.
For fans of hiking and trekking in Corsica in winter, we suggest you set off and discover Restonica that boasts a totally different scenescape with frozen lakes that reflect the mountains of the surrounding gorges. The Aiguilles de Bavella (Bavella Needles), near Bonifacio, will be sure to wow you with their charm as will the Spelunca Gorges and Aïtone Forest.
Festivals, concerts and other events in Corsica in December
Although the Island of Beauty is renowned for its breathtaking beaches, it also invites you to delight in a myriad of events throughout December.
"NATALE IN AIACCIU"
In December, the city of Ajaccio rolls out end-of-year festivities around its ice rink. On the agenda:
- Christmas chalets
- Father Christmas' house
- creative workshops
- parades
- make-up workshop
- photo workshop
”Feria di a Castagna”
The Chestnut Fair welcomes over 20,000 visitors every year, meaning this event is the largest in Corsica. Enjoy strolling and discovering exceptional flavours through tasting sessions, culinary workshops and competitions proposed by over 150 craftspeople and traders.
Que visiter en Corse en décembre ?
Calvi is perfect for starting off your break in Corsica in December. This city boasts a very rich historical past as the locals chose to remain loyal to the Republic of Genoa during the conflict against Pascal Paoli's Corsicans. Their motto "Civitas Calvi semper fidelis", literally translated as "the city of Calvi always loyal" perfectly expresses the spirit of the city and its inhabitants.
VISITING CALVI IN DECEMBER
The city of Calvi puts on an incredible show with its Genoese citadel towering over the bay. Wander through the old town with its cobblestone alleyways and little boutiques and fall under its spell. Once you've headed out to La Pointe de la Revellata to see the lighthouse and its beaches, take the little trail that will lead you to the top, to Notre Dame de la Serra Chapel. Here you can admire the outstanding vista all around, over the bay and over the mountains.
MONTE D'ORO
Monte d'Oro, one of the highest mountains on the island, reigns supreme at the heart of the Corsica Regional Nature Park. Vizzavona Forest, located on its eastern side, can be discovered during a snowshoe outing: pure getaway guaranteed through bright, virgin white landscapes.
LAKE MELO
Lake Melo sits majestically in Restonica Valley. The lake is frozen until the end of April and occasionally the trails are covered with snow, but the sight is staggering.