About
Corse-du-Sud is one of the two departments of Corsica, the French island in the Mediterranean, and it occupies the island's southern part. Its capital and largest city is Ajaccio, a natural starting point for a visit to the wider department.
The department is known as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, and that connection is easy to follow once you are in Ajaccio. Visitors interested in the emperor's early life will find the town a fitting place to begin, with its streets and seafront giving a sense of the setting in which he grew up.
What the landscape offers
Much of the appeal of Corse-du-Sud lies outdoors. The department combines several kinds of scenery within a short distance:
- Beaches along the Mediterranean coast, many of them clear and well suited to a relaxed day by the water.
- Rugged mountains inland, which give the island its dramatic character and suit walkers and those who enjoy quieter country.
- Granite cliffs at Bonifacio, where the town sits high above the sea and its coastline is among the most striking in the region.
Planning a visit
Corse-du-Sud contains some of Corsica's most popular destinations, so it can be busy at the height of the season. Visitors who want to see several parts of the department will find it useful to base themselves in one area and make day trips, since the mountains and coast are set apart by winding roads. Whether you come for the history linked to Napoleon, the beaches, or the cliffs and mountains, the department offers a varied trip within a single region.
