From the mountainous and rugged marquis covered peninsular of the Cap Corse, the northern heights of Corsica sweep round to shelter the ancient Nebbio region, which encircles the historic and intimate town of St Florent.

At its heart is the fertile countryside of Conca d'Oro, which produces some fine wines and to the south stretches the wild, untamed and uninhabited Desert des Agriates.

Things To See & Do In St Florent & Cap Corse

Wine tasting in Patrimonio, the vineyards are home to some of the best muscats on the islands
Take a boat trip from St Florent to the unspoilt beaches of the Desert des Agriates
Visit the ancient cliff top village of Nonza in Cap Corse
Walk part of the Sentier des Douaniers on the rugged north coast, taking in the many Genoese watchtowers enroute
Visit the Moulin Mattei near Rogliano, restored in the early 20th century by the Mattie family

View Accommodation in St Florent & Cap Corse »

St Florent & Cap Corse Region Map

St Florent

St Florent is situated at the base of the Cap Corse. Founded by the Romans it later grew to be a flourishing medieval port under the rule of Genoa and it has remained relatively unspoilt. Today it is still small, you can walk from one end of the town to the other in 10 minutes, and parts retain an echo of the Mediterranean of 80 years ago. Luxury yachts in the marina, stopping off from the Cote D'Azur, offer a more modern sight. It is a friendly town and an ideal centre for beach holidays and for exploring Corsica's northwest coast or the mountain villages inland. In the town centre a maze of narrow streets and passages fills the space between harbour and Citadel, and the town squares, encircled by cafes, looks towards the lively waterfront with its row of restaurants.

Several of our houses are located on the Fromentica hillside with fine views overlooking St Florent from the other side of the River Aliso. Behind St Florent spreads the quiet, attractive countryside of the Conca d'Oro. Its villages are an integral part of the landscape, hugging the slopes where the hills begin to rise, the old stone houses looking as if they grew out of the rock from which they are built.

Oletta

Just a 10-minute drive from St Florent is the pretty village of Oletta, one of the villages of the inland Nebbio region, perched on a rib of mountain with superb views west across the countryside to the sea. This village, whose centre is occupied by the 18th century church of St Andre, has always been a centre of Corsican nationalism, with many legends of battle decorating its history.

Desert de Agriates

To the west of St Florent lies the Desert de Agriates, a semi barren uninhabited land of rocky terrain and maquis covered hills. Its coastline is laced with some stunning beaches - many travel out by boat to the Plage de Saleccia, which is inaccessible by road, to enjoy the pearl white sand and alluring clear waters.

Patrimonio

The town of Patrimonio guards the gateway to the dramatic Cap Corse and is the centre of wine production in this area and a good place to stop off to sample the local fares - the area is justly reputed for its reds and muscats. The village boast a couple of small auberges serving local specialities and a range of the locally produced wines.

Farinole and Nonza

Within the rocky peninsular of the Cap Corse there is much to discover. Forty kilometres long and only fifteen across there is some exceptionally beautiful and unspoilt stretches of coast, of which the east and west are both stunningly beautiful but also dramatically different.

We have a number of properties located amid the magnificent and varied Cap Corse coastal scenery. Along the west coast, the village of Farinole is an excellent base for visiting Nonza, set on a narrow cliff over the sea and with a large shingle beach.

Sentier des Douaniers

Visitors can enjoy exhilarating coastal walks along the rugged northern coast of the Cap Corse. The Sentier des Douaniers, named after the customs men who walked this path, runs from Macinaggio to Centuri. Many follow just a small part of the route for a day's walking - the famous Genoese towers along the way are an impressive sight against the coastal backdrop.

Erbalunga

Tiny fishing ports and sandy coves line the island's east coast - among them rests the picturesque fishing village of Erbalunga. Once the most important harbour on the Cap, today the magnificent houses testify to the former wealth of the area. An intimate network of squares and narrow streets lead down to the harbour, providing a sanctuary to those seeking a taste of authentic village life. The ruins of the Genoese tower here is a popular subject choice for artists and photographers and the village is also a venue for music and arts festivals.