Come and discover the exceptional biodiversity of this island where nature has kept its rights and where you can choose a responsible and environmentally friendly tourism. Adopt gentle travel and short circuits, aim for organic and ethical logos. Corsica is a great place for ecotourism and encourages an ecologically correct attitude
Preserved natural jewels
The first ecotourism wealth of Corsica is its rich biodiversity. From the Mediterranean coast to the Alpine summits, from the flora of the maquis to the living waters of the torrents, from the enchanting seabed to the flowering mountain pastures, from the forests to the pozzines, it is a mosaic of remarkable biotopes. Corsica stands out with a regional nature park (www.pnr.corsica) of 365,000 ha, which covers more than a third of the island, but also 7 nature reserves, including Scandola, classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site, a reserve that is both marine and terrestrial, the biosphere reserve of the Fango valley, several marine protected areas including the largest natural marine park in mainland France(Capicorsu è Agriate), the nature reserve of the Bouches de Bonifacio, and the Pelagos sanctuary for marine mammals..
The possibility of a gentle tourism
Plan stays immersed in nature. A "tree bath" in the forest, a "soft survival" with a minimum of equipment, fishing and picking wild fruits and berries, this in the respect of the properties and the environment of course. Enjoy arbutus, citron, myrtle, chestnut, hazelnut, figs... Organize a trip by adopting gentle travel: a small train in the maquis, a sailboat along the coast. Go on horseback, on foot with donkeys, on an electrically-assisted bicycle... Follow the GT20, a new cycling itinerary that brings the most beautiful Corsican sites within pedal range (www.visit-corsica.com/La-GT-20/Le-velo). Of course, you will discover the most beautiful sites and the jewels of the natural heritage by adopting a respectful attitude towards the fauna and flora, by collecting your waste, by staying on the marked paths, etc.
Follow the Authentic Senses Route
Opt for short circuits. From one end of Corsica to the other, the Route des sens authentiques(www.gustidicorsica.com/maps.php?lang=fr) will take you to addresses selected for their interest and quality, marked by hundreds of signs. This route of flavours and know-how guides you to the discovery of the roots of Corsica, by indicating the farms offering products with a strong sense of identity, honeys, brocciu, charcuterie, wines, olive oil, chestnut flour, clementines, pomelos... Artists, art craftsmen, farmer-aubergists or essential oil distillers are added to its inventory. A brand new certification is awarded to locavore restaurants. This Gustidicorsica label is given to island restaurants that stand out for the quality of Corsican products used in the preparation of their cuisine.
The example of the Ospedale forest
A magnificent road leaves the seaside atmosphere of the marina of Porto-Vecchio to reach the mountainous and preserved environment of the Ospedale, U Spidali. The Ospedale is a magnificent artificial lake lined with trees, a sumptuous forest of pines and beeches with round rocks reminiscent of those in the forest of Fontainebleau and a mountain village. Perched at 900 m, the village owes its name to the regional hospital that once stood here. L'Ospedale is an excellent place for hiking. You will discover the dam that supplies drinking water to the southernmost part of the island and the impressive 60-metre high Piscia di Gallu waterfall. The site is also home to an adventure park with a zip line and the incredible Cocoon village where you can sleep in a bubble attached to the rock with a view of the stars and the sea.
Some visits to be privileged
A Casa di a Natura, in Vizzavona, and A Casa Marina, in Galeria, are permanent centres of initiation to the environment offering nature stays of an educational nature. One can visit the Village of the Tortoises in Moltifau intended for the repopulation and the reintroduction of the tortoise of Hermann in natural environment and the House of the Honey, Casa di u Mele, in Murzu for a discovery of the world of the bee and the island apiculture. The Galéa Park, for its part, presents a unique collection of 400 cacti, among the most beautiful in Europe, zen and mineral areas, a 6-hectare cork oak forest with a path to walk barefoot, and plants from Corsica and the Mediterranean. Further on, large exotic trees, palm trees and aromatic squares... This jewel of a garden alternates between landscaped and wild areas. Like so many links, the paths lead between the different museum areas. Installed in wooden or stone pavilions, they deal with some thirty themes linked to nature and Corsican heritage(www.parcgalea.com).
Labels and logos to guide you
Several regions are committed to ecotourism and various groups of farmers will guide you in your choices. We can mention the efforts of Eastern Corsica (www.ecotourisme-corseorientale.corsica) which groups together committed tourism professionals, eco-accommodations, committed restaurateurs working primarily with local products, craftsmen and producers who open their farms and workshops to you, guides who accompany you on the discovery of natural areas. In the same spirit, the Rispettu label brings together accommodation providers committed to sustainable, identity-based and solidarity-based accommodation. The Regional Natural Park of Corsica is also setting up an ecotourism label
Organic labels are other guarantees. Let's mention Interbio Corse(https://interbiocorse.org/bio-di-corsica/), interprofessional association of organic agriculture and its collective local brand Bio di Corsica. This one is the tool of the Corsican organic sector. Alliance of tradition and modernity, Bio di Corsica is the guarantee of the organic quality of the Corsican productions proposed. More regional, the Corsican Organic Center gathers the farmers of Eastern Corsica. Think also of the products stamped AOP, IGP, Label Rouge or farm. Thus the island invites you to a responsible, ethical and at the same time hedonistic stay.
