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Corsica


Germar

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Posted

Hi there

 

Planing to go to Corsica this year and have a few questions somebody might be able to help me with.

 

Has anybody been there?

If so what are the roads like as I have been led to believe that they are not unlike some of the roads in the west of Ireland?

And lastly has anybody stayed on the pier in Nice or does anybody of somewhere in Nice we can park overnight as the ferry sails at 8:10am?

 

regards

 

Germar

 

Posted

Hi & welcome .

 

I have never been so I cannot help you at all but there are lot's of people on here that may on been and they are just not logged on yet .

stick around I,m sure someone will see it soon.

 

Good Luck ;-)

Guest JudgeMental
Posted

 

Yes, been there but not in a Motorhome...

 

Lovely rugged countryside, great quite beaches.

 

but even in a small hire car mountain roads treacherous.

 

We where there in July and it was to hot for me.

Posted

Hi Germar,

 

This is a bit out of date but it will give you some ideas.

 

Don

 

CORSICA MAY 2004

 

We spent a couple of weeks in May 2004 on Corsica. We are loners/isolationists and spent most of the time free parked in mountain areas. We did spend a couple of nights on sites and free parked on beaches/harbours. In July/August the island gets over run with tourists but in May we had the place to ourselves most of the time. We met a few Dutch and French motorhomers but no Brits.

 

Don't plan a high daily mileage because the roads on the west coast/central inland routes are just not up to it. The east coast road N193/N198 from Bastia to Bonifacio (110 miles) can be used for transiting the island quickly.

 

Tourist coaches use the D 81 west coast route so it should not be a problem with a medium size coach built. There are some single track roads with passing places so if your reversing in confined places is not up to scratch don't even think about visiting the island.

 

The island lived up to it's expectations regarding narrow roads and stunning scenery. We landed at Bonifacio off the ferry from Sardinia and took the west coast route northwards. The road out of Bonifacio harbour is very steep and narrow, extreme caution is needed. The port area is very small and parking is at a premium.

 

N196 Propriano.

 

N 196 Ajaccio. Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace

 

From Ajaccio we took the D81 north to Calvi a very narrow road in places with road works at the time.

 

D 81 Cargese

 

D 81 Piana

 

Between Piana and Porto there is Les Calanches the rock formation are stunning, not to be missed, if you are on the island.

 

D 81 Porto

 

D 81 Galeria

 

D81b Calvi

 

From Calvi we then toured the Central Mountains in the area of La Porta, Calacuccia and Corta taking in the Gorges de la Restonica and Gorges Scala di Santa Regina. The scenery in places is awesome, if you are a mountain person this is a must.

 

From the mountains we headed for St Florent and from there it was 20 km drive to Bastia to catch the ferry to Livorno. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the ferry terminal at Bastia. The port is situated in the town centre and we found the approach roads to the town very congested. Parking outside of the port area is very difficult.

 

We used two campsites

 

Camping Mimosas Ajaccio

 

Camping d'Olzo St Florent

 

Some free parking spots.

 

Figari Port. Sign posted off the N196 about 20km from Bonifacio

 

Ajaccio Port Area. Plenty of free parking.

 

Porto Harbour.

 

Galeria Car Park.

 

Calvi. In front of Super "U" supermarket on sea front car park.

 

St Florent. Many parking places around beach area to the south of the town.

 

I haven't listed the mountain free spots as we just park up as and when.

 

Supermarkets were readily available even in the small villages.

 

Fuel. Diesel and LPG available.

 

ATM's no problems.

 

Water is "NOT" readily available.

 

Maps/Guides. We used the Michelin Atlas Routier et Touristique for France. IMO this is the best map for touring France if you, like us don't use Sat Nav.

 

We used the Lonely Planet Guide to Corsica which also includes full details of the GR 20 which is a 15 day very strenuous walk in Corsica. It also gives a lot of information about the island and places to visit.

 

Posted

Would you consider a naturist site? Corsica is probably one of the nicest places to try. The sites and (private) beaches are not crowded even in peak season.

 

http://www.visitcorse.com/annuaireuk/215.htm mentions Riva Bella which is in an exquisite location and probably the nicest beach site. The "sanitaires" are overlooking the sea. I fondly remember washing and enjoying the mirrored backdrop of a view of turquoise sea behind me. (La Chiappa is 2nd best, - other beach sites not so well organised or a bit too crowded in my personal view)

Also recommended: inland site http://www.u-furu.com/ an inland site with it's own stream, gushing down a canyon.

 

Of roads, - they're no better nor worse than French roads generally. Beware of semi wild pigs in the mountains. You'll find the occasional mob (collective noun?) lurking by the roadside - or in the road- waiting for tourist handouts of bread and other food.

 

Last thought, - why not go in September. The mushrooms appear after the 2nd rain. Don't worry too much about poisoning yourself, just watch what everybody else is picking and if in doubt, ask the pharmacist. They are trained to recognise funghi. You can dine royally on "les ceps", bolletus and the like, - and even dry them. They're great in stews, and cost £20 a jar in shops!

 

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