Some snaps from our recent trip to the island of Corsica!
This one has been on my radar for years, but I just never seemed to find the time to plan it in until now.
As usual, all our trips to Europe start with a crossing of some sort, and we prefer the efficiency of ‘Le Shuttle’. This particular trip kicked off with a family weekend in Belgium before Deb and I turned south to meet up with friends in Southeastern France.
From there, we slowed the pace down to explore through the Vercors and enjoy Route Napoléon down to the south coast at Nice, where we caught the ferry over to Corsica.
We arrived in Bastia for a couple of days, which gave us a full day to ride the amazing Cap Corse. From there, we headed to a villa in the south—our first real taste of the mountainous roads that criss-cross the island!
The villa was about 20 minutes from Sartène, just off the main T40 road to Bonifacio. It was a lovely base to spend days exploring, returning in the late afternoon for a swim, and chilling over food and good wine with friends in the evening.
Eventually, the trip came to an end. We spent another day riding across the island with fully loaded bikes to get back to Bastia for the overnight ferry to Toulon. All went well until the rains arrived!
"It’s only going to be a quick shower, right? No need for waterproofs..."
Wrong. We got absolutely soaked! At least we had the night on the ferry for our kit to dry out!
The ride home was punctuated with a night in Troyes. Oh wow, the number of times I’ve ridden past that city and never stopped! It’s lovely and gave us a great evening to wrap up this trip. The next day was a simple hop back to Calais and to home.
The big takeaway for me: how challenging getting around the island can actually be. Even the main roads throw 1st-gear bends at you at regular intervals! It was great to ride, but getting beyond the southern part of the island made for a really long day out.
Which just means there is still plenty left for us to go back and visit! Corsica, we’ll be back.
Again another trip that's all about the experience and not photography, so just grab snaps for the memories!
Waiting to board the Shuttle to France
A meeting with Napoleon
La Mure, south from here the N85 (Route Napoleon) gets really interesting. But for now, a wander around the town and a meal.
Some parts of this route are really stunning.
It's easy to see why Route Napoleon is popular with bikers and drivers.
We eventually arrived in Nice where would be catching the morning ferry to Corsica from.
An evening stroll on the Promenade des Anglais
Queuing to get on the ferry!
If you like ferries, this apartment could be perfect!
Bikes strapped in!
Some rope play for these two !!
Leaving Nice
The view back to Nice is impressive with the Alps as a backdrop!
( hours of this, time to chill!
Corsica appears through the mist!
Bastia
Bastia
Cap Corse coast road - wow!
Macinaggio
Net maintenance, a consistent in all ports around the world.
Barcaggio
Barcaggio
Barcaggio
A villa in Bastia.
Evening in Bastia before heading south.
The main road through the centre of the island, is a pure curve fest that drops view after view!
We're not alone enjoying these roads!
The villa is in a small village near the coast just south from Sartene.
Perfect base camp !
With a great pool!
And stunning sunsets!
Sartene
Sartene
Sartene
Time for a dip in the sea!
What's not to like about an evening meal on the terrace!
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Looking south to Sardinia
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
Bonifacio
The villa was also a great spot to star gaze! Just a hand help image!
Aullène
Coffee spot in Aullène
Zonza
Zonza
Col de Bavella
Porto-Vecchio
Plage de Roccapina - amazing bay for swimming and chilling!
Cheers Corsica!
Heading back north to Bastia for the night ferry! A another lovely ahead!
Well we arrived at the port as the rains stopped, what looked like a little shower was more like a monsoon, did we stop and put on water proofs - no lol !! Still our kit can dry out over night on the boat!
Sunrise as we approach Toulon
Toulon - I liked the way the ship was creating these ripples in the otherwise mirror like water as it eased it's way into port.
A day on the autoroutes brought us to Troyes.
A city that's full of history and character.,
Odd artwork!
A pleasant place to wander around and find somewhere to eat!
No room at La Brasserie!
But no worries as we found a nice restaurant just off of the town square.
Troyes.
Troyes
Troyes
Troyes
