Camping in Corsica: in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace is located on a quaint island in the Mediterranean Sea. The southern tip of the island almost meets the northern tip of the island of Sardinia. Despite its geographical proximity to Italy, Corsica, is politically part of France. The tranquil island is divided into 26 cantons with around 360 municipalities with a population of 320,000. The capital is the city of Ajaccio on the west coast. The majority of the island consists of high mountain ranges and therefore offers plenty of space to let off some steam for hikers and climbers.

Mediterranean climate determines the weather on the island. With maximum temperatures of up to 30°C, it usually does not get too hot. From June to September, temperatures range from 21 °C to almost 25 °C. These are ideal for long walks and day trips into the breathtaking nature of the island. With five to six rainy days a month, summers are pretty dry and the rain doesn't begin to fall until late autumn and winter. Due to the geographical layout of the island, temperatures in the mountains may vary slightly. Every now and then, snow falls and temperatures drop to around 5°C. In the summer months, bathing temperatures are 20°C and above, ideal for getting your perfect tan.

A holiday on Napoleon's Mediterranean island is always fun. When you get out of your tent or of your campervan in the morning, you can always look forward to seeing great sites. Visit the Genoese towers built in many corners of the island's coast. The towers warned against pirates and were built in such a way that one could communicate from tower to tower with optical signals. Consider exploring the rugged rock formations of the Calanche or scaling the impressive peaks of the Bavella massif. Simple hikers will get their money's worth just as much as professional mountaineers. Go for an excursion and take a boat to the southernmost city of the island, Bonficio. Picturesquely built on stunning cliffs, the city perches over the sea. In good weather you can see the nearby island of Sardinia from Bonficio.

Camping in Corsica

Camping is really popular in Corsica. The island offers a lot of nature with its fantastic mountain ranges, but prisitine beaches, perfect for any camping holiday. Around 20 campsites are set up on the island. The campsites are located throughout the east coast, as well as in the north and on the northwest coast of the island. In the west and south of it, especially around the capital Ajaccio, there are almost no campsites. Only Camping L 'esplanade, a little north of Propriano, offers accommodation options.

The brave shouldn't miss out on canyoning in one of the many rivers and gorges of the island. The necessary equipment can be rented from professional tour operators. Bungee jumping, swimming, abseiling, climbing and tabogganing are part of every tour programme. Popular canyoning destinations are the Bavella massif, the Fango river and the Tavignano valley near Corte. If you like climbing and still want to feel safe, visit one of the many high ropes courses on the island. Whether you choose the Parc Aventure Ghisoni, the Col de Vizzavona, the high ropes course in Calvi or the largest of all in Valle de Vero, fun is guaranteed.

Discovering the extensive Corsican mountain range is a must for hikers. Leave the campsite and begin your journey at Paglia Orba, Corsica's Matterhorn. You will get a fantastic view from Monte Rotondo. At 2,622 metres above sea level, it's only 84 metres smaller than Monte Cinto, the highest peak on the island. There is so much to do on the island, so much so that your holiday will fly by. So make the most of it! Water sports are also a must. A huge variety of water sports are offered on the island, especially in the summer months. Whether you want to go kayaking, sailing, scuba diving or windsurfing, nothing is impossible.

If your appreciate a little more silence a pleasant day fishing or sport fishing, would be ideal for you. In addition to Corsica being home to Napoleon's birthplace and the Musée de la Corse, the island also offers exquisite Roman towns, such as Aleria. The archaeological wonder and traditional Corsican markets bring 2,500 years of Mediterranean history and are definitely worth a visit. When you're feeling tired, go back to your campsite and enjoy the flair of the French island with a good glass of Corsican red wine.