The French Connection, and I am not referring to Fashion in this case but to the beautiful islands along its French coast line.

Condé Nast Traveler had an issue in 2010 about these blissful little French islands, which have inspired me to write about one island in particular; Corsica.

The French coast line by the way is 4668 kilometers in length which is about 2900 miles and shores the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

These Islands are charming and sunny just like St. Tropez, but minus the mobs of tourists of the French Riviera!

 

Growing up in Europe, I remember times I was intrigued by the big Island CORSICA. Remenicing of our family friends who migrated every summer like a flock of birds to this paradise. Let's see...

Weather:

Excellent. The average for the year is 12C (about 54F) and quarterly temperatures average from Jan.-Mar. in the high 50s, Apr.-Jun. about 70, Jul.-Sep. in the 80's and Oct.-Dec. avarages in the mid 60s.

Food:

Corsica is in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of France and west of Italy. So besides the fresh seafood, you will find French and Italian influenced foods, yummy yum yum!

Activities:

Sea (beach, scuba diving, sailing), mountain (hiking, with the famous GR 20). The GR (Grande Randonne in French) is a European foot path. It passes through western Europe, it also traverses Corsicas mountains, and is often referred to as "the toughest long distance trail in Europe", covering a distance of 180KM and 10KM of climbing and descent, over rugged terrain. Most people finish the hike in 15 days or less.

 

Ferries and Ships can take you to the mainland of France or Italy, as well as to neighboring Islands like the Italian island of Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Ferry prices are as low as 15 euros and take a minimum of one hour.

History (from Wikipedia):

Corsica is rich in history; Napoleon Bonaparte was born here to noble Italian parents. The Corsican Buonapartes originated from minor Italian nobility, who had come to Corsica from Liguria, Italy. Napoleon Bonaparte was born the second of eight children in his family's ancestral home Casa Buonaparte, located in the town of Ajaccio, Corsica. He was born on 15 August 1769, one year after Corsica was transferred to France by the Republic of Genoa. He was christened Napoleone di Buonaparte, changing it to Napoléon Bonaparte in his 20s, sounding more French, eh?

 

Some FACTS From Wikitravel.org and Wikipedia:

*Ajaccio is the capital of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica.

*The official language is French but is only the native tongue for 35%, while Corsican, a Roman language close to Italian is the majority language.

However, most Corsican-speakers also speak French and many also speak Italian, especially in major tourist destinations.

 

And if that is not enough for you... you can always rent or buy an island ... ;) Visit privateislandsonline.com for more info. Meanwhile I will daydream of more Adventures and far away places & faces. Not everybody has loose change of 6.8 M for a private island.

 

Oh well... C'est la vie, as the French say!