Corsica in autumn: our 6 favourite activities

In Autumn Corsica is bathed in a thousand colours: white summits, red and gold scrublands, and a palette of turquoise to deep blue seas. 

With the summer season over, this dream backdrop is perfect for visiting Corsica. It's like an intimate one-to-one with the idyllic Isle of Beauty. The Indian summer continues and the cooler autumn temperatures allow us to explore the natural and authentic Corsica: climb the rocky peaks, go deep into the evergreen forests, walk through the deserts or relax on the coast.

Of course, there's also Corsican gastronomy which takes pride of place at this time of the year. In the town and on the market stalls, the best sellers are making a comeback: from cold meats to winter fruits to the season's vintage, there's something for everyone. 

6 THINGS TO DO IN CORSICA IN AUTUMN

Let Le Collectionist give you on a tour of Corsica in the autumn with these six unforgettable activities to discover the Isle of Beauty this season:

• Horseback riding in the Agriates Desert
• Corsican wine tasting
• Walk in the forest at Aiguilles de Bavella 
• Hike in the Calanques de Piana 
• Tour the Isle of Beauty's markets
• A lazy day on the southern beaches 

Horseback riding in the Agriates Desert

There are few moments in life as serene as a horseback ride. Let yourself be carried away with the animal's quiet steps, gazing out at the breathtaking scenery of the Agriates Desert, in the north of the island of Corsica. 

Leave in the morning to meet your travelling companion and set off into the winding paths of this green landscape together. On the way, you have plenty of time to appreciate the surrounding nature and take in its bewitching aromas: juniper, heather, rosemary, Aleppo pines and holm oaks. The ride ends at the golden hour, on a long sandy beach, where your mount can refresh its legs in the crystal clear water. Here, the sun will end its journey on the horizon, below the ocean's surface.

Corsican wine tasting

There is another Corsican landscape that is just as wonderful as the maquis and the autumn forests. At the end of summer, the sun-drenched vineyards are ready for harvest, and barrels are filled with their precious nectar. This is the perfect moment to embark on Corsica's wine routes and visit the most beautiful cellars in the region. 

Corsica's most famous PDO is produced between the towns of Bastia and Saint-Florent. The Patrimonio region is full of great spots that should not be left off your list. Start with a walk among the old vines before heading to the winery to learn the secrets behind making these sumptuous wines. Patrimonio is the gateway to the far north of the island of Beauty and the ideal starting point for a tour of Cap Corse. 

walk in the forest at Aiguilles de Bavella

Visiting Corsica in the autumn means you can take advantage of the mild weather to go hiking. There is no better way to discover a place than strolling through its walking trails while gazing up at the vast sky ...

The Massif de Bavella boasts exceptionally rich fauna and flora. Its waterfalls provide natural pools, fairytale-like sanctuaries that are hidden behind green or sun-scalded trees. One of the best Corsica hikes is the two-hour walk to the Purcaraccia waterfalls. Very popular with tourists in summer, it is much quieter in autumn, leaving you alone in the wilderness.

Hike in the Calanques de Piana 

In autumn, when the majority of tourists have left Corsica, you have this extraordinary landscape to yourself to enjoy. This is the perfect time to discover the Calanques of Piana in the Gulf of Porto. These strange blood-red rock formations contrast spectacularly with the turquoise-blue sea.

There are several hiking trails to choose from. Firstly, there is the Tête du Chien trail, accessible by road, which can be taken without much difficulty, leading to one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region. You can also take the Sentier des Muletiers to get a better view of the creeks and the sea. After half an hour of climbing between the forest and the rocks, you end up on the main road which runs alongside the creeks. At this time of year, the tourists have deserted the place and walking on this road, which is usually very busy, is easy.

Tour the markets of the Isle of Beauty

Visiting Corsica in the autumn is a great time to discover the local gastronomy. Typical seasonal products make their way back to local markets in the towns and villages. Chestnuts, clementines and local delicatessen products invade the stalls to our great pleasure.

One of the season's favourites, it's impossible to visit Corsica at this time of year without trying chestnuts in all of their possible forms. There is no better way to do so than to head south of the island for the Fiera di a Castagna in Bocano. This fair celebrates all the delicious fruit and materials from the so-called 'breadfruit tree'. Also unmissable is the star of Corsican charcuterie: the figatellu, a sausage made of pork liver, which starts to make its appearance from October onwards. And for dessert? Clementines are a must. All you have to do is choose the one you best like the look of!

A lazy day on the southern beaches

Beaches in Corsica are renowned throughout the world for their extraordinary natural beauty. These stretches of pure white sand merging into the turquoise water are a delight for visitors. It is said that the beaches are most beautiful in the south of the island. The mere mention of their exotic-sounding names - Pallombaggia, Santa Giulia, Pinarello - transports you to the soft sand, where children build sand castles and adults enjoy a glass of chilled wine on the terrace of a beach club.

If visiting Corsica in autumn is not necessarily synonymous with hot weather and swimming, an afternoon of relaxation on the golden sand will certainly convince you. After all, the Indian summer sometimes holds some nice surprises...

Visit Corsica this autumn with Le Collectionist. Choose your luxury villa in Corsica from our catalogue and imagine with us your next tailor-made trip to the Isle of Beauty.