Toulon L'Île-Rousse
Embark in the evening aboard the Kalliste in Toulon and wake up in the early hours of the morning in Balagne! La Méridionale, the historic Marseille-based company, is broadening its horizons with a new crossing to Corsica, between Toulon and L'Île-Rousse.
Let's go to L'Île-Rousse with La Méridionale
Although the port of departure may change, La Méridionale remains true to its values on this route between Toulon and L'Île-Rousse. On board our ships for Corsica, we put our skill and experience at your service.
Our team awaits you with a smile. Trained to ensure your safety, they will also ensure that your crossing between the mainland and Corsica is a truly relaxing experience. All our air-conditioned cabins have private shower, television and comfortable beds.
In the kitchen, the chef and his brigade are busy helping you discover the island's gastronomy and specialities. During your crossing from Toulon to L'Île-Rousse, they will use fresh seasonal produce to prepare dishes that will take you on a trip, even before you set sail!
And from 2027, La Méridionale will be welcoming you aboard new, even more environmentally-friendly ships for your crossing between the continent and Corsica.
Boat Toulon Livorno
Our ferry to Corsica stops off in Italy during the summer. From June to September, our boats between the mainland and Corsica sail as far as Livorno. So you can take the Toulon-Livorno ferry for a holiday in Tuscany.
The Kalliste is our ship between Toulon, Livorno and L'Île-Rousse. During your crossing, you can enjoy your cabin, the restaurant, the snack bar and a walk on deck.
Your ship is equipped with the REPCET cetacean tracking solution.
Docked in Toulon, your ship cuts its engines and uses the electrical connection
An alternative to the ferry to Bastia
You'd like to go to Corsica, but you haven't found a ferry to Bastia? Are you booking your holiday on the Isle of Beauty at the last minute and the ferries to Bastia are all full? Travel between Toulon and L'Île-Rousse with La Méridionale! After exploring the Paoline town, you can head for the capital of Haute-Corse.
There are several options for getting to Bastia. The fastest route runs southwards and links the two towns in an hour and a half. You can visit Borgo and the villages of Urtaca and Lama along the way. But you can also head north. After skirting the coast and the Agriates desert, you'll reach Saint-Florent, the gateway to Cape Corsica.
DISCOVER ÎLE-ROUSSE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
L'Île-Rousse may be in the north of Corsica, but this is where the sea is warmest. If you come to Corsica out of season and want to go for a swim, head for the Napoléon and Caruchettu beaches! In October or May, the thermometer still reads over 20°C in the water.
But beaches aren't the only thing L'Île-Rousse has to offer. Take advantage of your stay to visit the covered market, admire the sea from the Marinella promenade and say hello to the Little Mermaid.
L'Île-Rousse: The Paoline city
Rubigo Rocega for the Romans, Isola Rossa for the Italians, Isula Rossa for the Corsicans, Île-Rousse for the French.... The ochre porphyry rocks have inspired the town's name down the ages and in every language.
The town is also known as the cité Paoline, in honour of its founder, Pascal Paoli. In 1758, the general decided to build a port to cut off traffic between Genoa, Calvi and Algajola. He chose L'Île-Rousse as the site, drew up plans for the town and authorised the construction of a fortified wall.
Nearly 300 years later, L'Île-Rousse has become Corsica's third-largest port and a renowned seaside resort. But the Paoline town has not forgotten its creator. In the square that bears his name, visitors and Île-Roussiens alike can be found eating ice cream or playing pétanque in the shade of the plane trees.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The Place Paoli is home to the parish church of the Immaculate Conception. The modest façade houses a number of treasures, including stained glass windows dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary and to Santa Agata, the patron saint of the fishermen of L'Île-Rousse.
Once inside, you can also admire two 17th-century paintings: the Temptation of Christ and Saint Jerome. Their origin remains a mystery, but they undoubtedly belonged to Joseph Fesch, uncle of Napoleon I and a great art lover whose collection is on display in Ajaccio.
ÎLE DE LA PIETRA
You can't go to L'Île-Rousse without visiting Île de la Pietra. This islet, the largest of those that make up the Paoline town, is linked to the commercial port and the town centre by a bridge.
After a 30-minute walk (or a ride on the little train), you'll reach the Genoese tower and the lighthouse. The Genoese tower was built around 1510 to protect the town from the barbarians. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved towers on the Isle of Beauty. The lighthouse has been guiding boats since 1857.
As you walk along, surrounded by the translucent waters of the Mediterranean, you will gradually discover the islets of Brocciu, Piana and Brocettu. The views are breathtaking during the day. In the evening, the sun setting over the red rocks and sea makes the place magical.
U TRINICHELLU
Corsicans call the train that runs between Calvi and Ponte-Leccia the Tremblotant, or rather U Trinichellu. While this nickname suited the old yellow and red omnibuses perfectly, it does not do justice to the new, modern and comfortable carriages! The engines have changed, but the route is the same and the charm remains. The little Corsican train skirts the coast, crosses rivers, skims the mountains and criss-crosses the maquis.
U Trinichellu stops at L'Île-Rousse. Take it to the beach at Algajola or Bodri. After spending the day watching the fish and trying your hand at windsurfing, all you have to do is get back on board to return to the Paoline town. A shuttle bus runs every hour during the summer.
Getting to Calvi from L'Île-Rousse
The Corsican train will take you to Calvi in 55 minutes. Just enough time to enjoy the scenery and chat with the other passengers, and you'll be at the foot of the Citadel.
Did you come to Corsica by car? Reach the pearl of Balagne by road. The two former rivals are only 30 minutes apart. You can follow the same route as U Trinichellu and drive along the sea. But you can also get a little further away from the coast and stop off in the villages of Lumio, Aregno or Corbara.
The crossing
Times
These timetables and ships are indicative and may be subject to change without notice.
For school holiday periods, we recommend you to book your Toulon-L'Île-Rousse ferry tickets two months in advance to have the maximum choice. Timetables are subject to change without notice.
