Marseille Porto-Vecchio

Set off for Southern Corsica

It's clear to see why Corsica is known as the Island of Beauty. Like a mountain in the sea, it offers its residents and visitors landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth.

 Its sandy beaches, turquoise waters, rocks of a thousand colours, pine forests and hilltop villages are etched in the memory of anyone who is fortunate enough to gaze upon them. Set off from Marseille for Porto-Vecchio and Corsica so you, too can admire them.

An island boasting many different facets

Corsica wasn't always the jewel in France's crown. Located less than 20 kilometres from Sardinia and only 100 kilometres from the Italian coast, the island belonged to the Republic of Genoa until 1768. Only after the fall of the Republic of Corsica did Louis XV manage to attach it to the rest of his kingdom.

The Corsicans' history, insularity and character have contributed to preserving the traditions of the Island of Beauty. From north to south, people continue to speak the Corsican language. It's not uncommon to hear polyphonic singing at village celebrations and prayer vigils.

Natural, cultural and gastronomic riches

The most elevated island in the Mediterranean Sea, Corsica reveals a variety of landscapes. Within a few kilometres, a traveller can go from a cove with translucent water to maquis scrubland. After a few minutes' drive, the lagoons and dunes of the coast give way to forests, mountains and lakes.

Human hands have also provided the region with some must-visit sites. Bonifacio and its cliff-face staircase, the menhirs of Filitosa and the remains of the prehistoric fortress of Cucuruzzu are well worth a stop.

During your outings in Corsica, in Porto-Vecchio or elsewhere, take the time to watch the animal and plant life. The island is teeming with native species. Holm oak, strawberry tree, immortelle, heather and thyme are the kings of the maquis, while laricio pine, juniper and barberry rule the mountains. With a little luck and patience, you may come across a mouflon, a wild boar or even a bottlenose dolphin. And don't forget to look up! A nuthatch, a bearded vulture or an osprey may be flying right over your head.
 
Any exploration of the Island of Beauty also has to include its gastronomy. Regional products are transformed into sublime specialities, proof of the Corsicans' culinary know-how. Charcuterie and cheeses are a staple of the island's cuisine. Several recipes, like prisuttu (ham on the bone), coppa di Corsica, lonzu (salted and dried pork fillet with aromatic herbs) and brocciu (goat's cheese) are protected by the PDO label. But these are not the area's only delights. Seafood, chestnuts, honey, olive oil and clementines are also on the menu. 
Can't wait to sample the island's flavours? 

Without further ado, discover our restaurant menu! Aboard our ferry for Porto-Vecchio, enjoy seasonal dishes served with the finest Corsican wines selected by our sommelier. 
 

Discover Porto-Vecchio

When you choose a Marseille-Porto-Vecchio crossing, you will arrive at the heart of the third most densely populated municipality in the region. The gateway to Southern Corsica, the Genoese town is a tourist destination by itself.

Porto Vecchio and its citadel

Founded in Antiquity by the Greeks, the town enjoyed a new lease of life in the 16th century, in 1539, when the Genoese decided to build a fortress there. However, malaria and pirates prevented the port of Porto-Vecchio from developing. It was not until the 19th century, when the marshes were drained, that the town became prosperous thanks to its port activity and later tourism.

Must-visits

Once you step off our ferry in Porto-Vecchio, your visit can begin! Although summer is the busiest season, you can visit the Genoese town all year round.

You are sure to notice it even before you step off the boat in Porto-Vecchio. With its five defensive bastions, the citadel overlooks the port. Behind the walls pierced with loopholes and crowned with watchtowers, the heart of the old town beats. Restaurants, shops and ice cream parlours welcome tourists and Porto-Vecchio residents around Place de la République and the Church of St. John the Baptist. Go up to the top of the Bastion de France and the Genoese tower before night falls and the party starts in the streets and bars of the Upper Town. You will have a breathtaking view of the salt marshes. 

The salt pans have not been in use since the 2000s, but for over two centuries, the salt harvest was a central part of life in the town. In Corsica, Porto-Vecchio was even known as the salt city. The salt ponds are still visible, but nature is taking over. Flamingos and herons have replaced the salt workers. They have been joined by a grey pelican, which escaped from a reserve in the south of France. Named Harris by the local people, the bird has become the mascot of the salt marshes.

The beaches of Porto-Vecchio are among the most beautiful in Corsica and France. While the fine sand at Santa Giulia makes it an inviting place to sunbathe, it's hard to resist the call of the translucent water and the activities on offer at the water sports centre. The sea is shallow here so little ones can have fun while never going out of their depth. In Palombaggia too, the sand is fine and the water almost transparent. In the shade of the parasol pines, the beach still has a wild quality. On busy days, it's best to choose one of the peninsula's other coves, Tamaricciu, Folaca or Asciaghju. A series of six beaches in total runs for six kilometres.

Finally, make the most of your visit to Porto-Vecchioto take a trip to L’Ospedale, a 30-minute drive away. Beyond the fountain, stone houses and sundial, all part of the village's charm, lies a forest of beech and laricio pine trees. If you continue into the forest, you will reach the dam and the Piscia di Gallu waterfall.

Want to discover Southern Corsica, its landscapes and its traditions? Our crew awaits you aboard the Girolata, our boat between Marseille and Porto-Vecchio, to make sure your crossing becomes one of your most treasured memori

La traversée

Horaires

Pour les périodes de vacances scolaires, nous vous recommandons de réserver vos billets deux mois à l'avance pour avoir le maximum de choix possibles. Les horaires indiqués peuvent être modifiés sans préavis.

Le trajet - Itinéraire