Saint-Florent
Saint-Florent is a beautiful town on the south-west side of the Cap Corse peninsula, in the north of Corsica and 24 kilometres from Bastia. On one side there is clear blue sea, a beautiful harbour and behind there are rocky hills covered with trees and bushes, with the Genoese citadel built in the 15th century looming over the village from the cape.
The harbour is beautiful during the day and is also beautiful at night, when the promenade is illuminated by cafes and the lights of boats are scattered around the bay. The citadel above the town is also illuminated at night, adding to the charm of the visit.
Saint-Florent is a great location for exploring the north of Corsica, just 30 minutes from Bastia, between the Cap Corse mountains and the Agriates desert. So it is worth a visit, although it is not particularly mentioned in most Corsica travel guides.
Weather in Saint-Florent:
Saint-Florent Travel Guide
Saint-Florent is a popular resort in Corsica on the Gulf of Saint-Florent. The town is small and doesn’t take long to explore.
The original medieval town was called Nebbiu. It has become a popular seaside resort but has retained all the charm of an old town, which is always a great combination! It is still protected by a 15th-century citadel.
Get in:
What to see
Start your tour of the city at the port, where you can admire fishing boats and luxury yachts. Throughout the harbor, you’ll find bars and restaurants, many of which specialize in seafood.
After a stroll along the port, explore the charming streets of Saint-Florent’s old town. This small area, centered around Place Doria and Place des Portes, offers stunning sea views. It’s where locals gather to play pétanque or sip a strong espresso. You’ll also find interesting little shops.
To the west of the harbor lies the long sandy beach, Plage de la Roya:
Citadel of Saint-Florent
From the city center, continue to the cape where the citadel is located. Built in 1440, the citadel played a crucial role in defending nearby Bastia and the Mediterranean waters. Over the years, it has been under Genoese, Aragonese, French, and Italian control. It is said that Admiral Nelson once remarked, “Give me the Gulf of Saint-Florent, and I won’t let any ships leave Marseille or Toulon.”
Saint-Florent also played an important role in World War II. It was occupied by Italian fascists, but local resistance helped the Allies significantly. Corsica was the first French region to be liberated during the war, and a key battle between German troops and Moroccan soldiers took place here. A Muslim cemetery on the outskirts of town honors the fallen.
The citadel is an interesting circular stone structure, with breathtaking views of the city, sea, and mountains, and it offers the best spot for photos of Saint-Florent, with its old houses lining the waterfront.
Beaches of Saint-Florent
Plage de la Roya is the main city beach, a long sandy strip sheltered by the bay. It’s ideal for swimming, even with small children. The scenery is especially beautiful in the evening when you can watch the sunset over Saint-Florent.
Free parking is available along the road near the beach.
Top 5 Things to Do in Saint-Florent:
- Take a seaside walk
- Visit the citadel
- Enjoy local ice cream
- Stroll to Roya Beach
- Watch the sunset over the bay
Nearby, you’ll find mountains, desert, beaches, and more – Saint-Florent is one of Corsica’s most beautiful cities.
Saint-Florent attractions
1. Walk through the old town and port
Start at the port, which bustles with life day and night, and is the perfect spot to relax:
- Stroll along the pier and admire the boats. The port’s location offers safe anchorage.
- Enjoy views of the bay, with Cap Corse on one side and the Agriates Desert on the other.
- Try the delicious local ice cream!
- Enjoy seafood at one of the many restaurants.
- Catch a stunning sunset!
Then, explore the town:
- Wander through narrow streets with breathtaking views at nearly every turn. The historic center is situated around Place Doria and its fountain.
- Visit Saint Anne’s Church, with its distinctive spire. It dates back to the 17th century.
2. Saint-Florent Citadel
The citadel is the main attraction in the old town. Built in 1440, it was one of the first places settled by the Genoese. It played a strategic role in protecting Bastia and controlling the Mediterranean.
3. Santa-Maria Assunta Cathedral (Nebbio)
Another building that you can’t miss when visiting San Florent is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. As for the architecture, don’t expect to see one of those huge French cathedrals. Also called the Cathedral of Nebbio, it dates back to the 12th century and is more like a church in size. Nebbio was a diocese and a province of Genoa.
It is a Pisan Romanesque building made of white limestone. It has a central nave with columns on either side and a semicircular apse. The austere interior of the church houses the relics of Saint Florent.
Note: the cathedral is not in the old town, but on the D238 road inland (less than 1 km).
4. Swimming at La Roya Beach
There are several beaches in the area around Saint-Florent. Some of them are easily accessible.
The main beach of Saint-Florent is Plage de la Roya. It is located not too far south of the city center. The shallow water and protected bay make it an ideal place for swimming with children. Free parking along the road.
5. Ospedale Beach Walk
To the north of the Citadel, you can also find small beaches: Ospedale and Olzu. One has small pebbles, the other is sandy. However, these beaches are not particularly beautiful visually, as they are surrounded by hotels.
The most beautiful beaches of Saint-Florent are located in the Agriates desert. The most famous is Saleccia beach (one of the best beaches in Corsica).
6. Explore the Agriates Desert: Lotu and Saleccia Beaches
One of the best activities is taking a boat trip to the Agriates Desert. The beaches of Lotu and Saleccia are stunning, with crystal-clear waters and soft sands. You can also hike between the two beaches in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Boat to Lotu and Saleccia Beaches
It takes just 20 minutes by boat to reach Lotu Beach in the bay. The crossing offers a beautiful view of the city, mountains and bay.
Lotu Beach
Lotu Beach offers fantastic views of the Cap Corse mountains plunging into the sea. Even if you don’t dare to hike, it’s worth taking a short walk along the inner path to enjoy the magnificent views of the beach, the lagoon behind and the mountains.
The water is shallow and clear, the beach is sandy… The perfect place to relax.
Saleccia Beach
If you decide to go on foot, it is worth walking to Saleccia Beach. It is about 1.5 – 2 hours on foot. You will walk through beautiful places with Mediterranean maquis and wonderful views. The final point of your route will be Saleccia Beach, the colors of which seem unreal: white sand, turquoise water …
You can also get there directly by speedboat from Saint-Florent.
If you want something more extreme than a boat ride, you can choose a 4WD tour through the desert to get to some of the beaches.
From the main road to the beaches there are paths. The walk along them takes about 45 minutes, but the road is very uneven.
7. Enjoy the Sunset
Saint-Florent is one of the most picturesque evening spots in Corsica. The sunsets over the bay are breathtaking, especially from Roya Beach.
8. Savor the Wines of Patrimonio
Just 10 minutes from Saint-Florent lies the Patrimonio vineyard, renowned for its exceptional wines. The area produces white, red, and rosé wines.
They are very different from other Corsican wines, as the local hills are made up of clay and limestone. The main grape varieties are Vermentino and Sangiovese.
Even if you don’t drink wine, it’s still worth a drive around the area to admire the beautiful rolling landscapes overlooking the sea. But if you love wine, you might want to stop and visit one of the vineyards. Most of them are family-run and most of the production is made on the island (only a small amount of the local wine is exported).
9. Discover the Charming Churches and Villages of Nebbio
Unlike other places in France, the churches in Corsica are not very visually attractive. But there are two exceptions near Saint-Florent:
Church of Saint Martin – Patrimonio
In Patrimonio, it is worth admiring the Church of Saint-Martin. It is painted in a beautiful ochre color and surrounded by picturesque hills. The temple dates back to 1653 and was restored in the 19th century.
Church of Saint Michael – Murato
Another option is the Church of Saint Michael in Murato. Its polychromy is fascinating. The church was built in 1140 from white and green stone and later rebuilt (which is why the bell tower is so tall).
Dining in Saint-Florent:
In Saint-Florent you can enjoy excellent dishes of fresh seafood and fish, accompanied by Corsican wines. As for restaurants, you can visit:
Restaurant La Gaffe
A wonderful combination of seafood from different regions of France: lobster from the Gulf of Saint-Florent is served with a Norman oyster from Isigny, and a Corsican pig confit with Patrimonio wine. A real polyphony of tastes!
L’Auberge du Pêcheur
As the name suggests, they serve fish straight from the fish market and from the Saint-Christophe boat! You can enjoy it raw in sushi or sashimi or cooked with vegetables and flowers from the garden. A favorite is the bass in the Provencal style…
Delfino
On the beautiful beach of Ospedale, you will find a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea. You can enjoy simple, healthy and delicious food.
If you love ice cream, be sure to visit the Maison Rovere ice cream parlour, located along the harbour among cafes and restaurants. There may be a queue in high season, but it’s worth it, the ice cream and sorbets are delicious.
Around Saint-Florent:
After exploring Saint-Florent, it’s worth visiting the Nebbio Cathedral, a small Pisan-Romanesque style church built on the site of an ancient Roman city, located about one kilometer from the center of Saint-Florent.
Be sure to try the local wine while strolling through Saint-Florent. This region produces some of Corsica’s finest wines, grown in the vineyards around Patrimonio — a village located 6 kilometers northeast of Saint-Florent, which is an excellent spot for wine tasting and learning about local wines.
To the northwest of Saint-Florent, you can reach the famous Saleccia Beach, a pristine stretch of fine white sand, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The long sandy beach is surrounded by tree-covered hills.
Unfortunately, access to the beach is challenging. Tourists typically arrive by boat, with tours departing from Saint-Florent. Alternatives include a long hike (about 6 hours one way from Saint-Florent) or traveling by 4×4 vehicle.
You can also explore the harbor and citadel of Bastia, take a tour of Cap Corse, or enjoy the scenic landscapes of Nebbio and the Agriates Desert.
5 Best Excursions from Saint-Florent
- Take a boat ride to Lotu Beach and walk to Saleccia Beach in the Agriates Desert.
- Explore the beautiful vineyards of Patrimonio.
- Try driving around Cap Corse, admiring its mountains that jut into the sea.
- Visit Bastia with its charming marina.
- Go further south to Ile Rousse for a different atmosphere.
Patrimonio vineyards
Cap Corse
The ultimate day trip from Saint-Florent is, of course, a tour of Cap Corse. The northern part of the island is one of Corsica’s most famous regions. The Cap Corse trip can be done in a day, although it’s best to allow at least a couple of days for it. For more information, check out our Cap Corse guide.
Erbalunga
Cap Corse is a wild region with only a few villages and impressive mountains that reach into the sea. Among the local villages, Nonza and Erbalunga are especially worth a visit. And this is the only place in Corsica where you can find black beaches. However, the color is not due to volcanic ash (as in other countries), but to an old abandoned asbestos mine on the coast. This is a wild gem that you cannot miss!
For a trip around Cap Corse, allow 4 hours of driving (time without stops) to visit all the places. The road is quite easy, but on the west coast there are some narrow places where it is difficult for a bus to pass… It is better to drive counterclockwise to enjoy the most beautiful views.
Erbalunga
A trip south to Ile Rousse and the villages of Balagne
Alternatively, instead of heading north to Cap Corse, you can head south. Take the D81 along the Agriates desert, stop at the fabulous Ostriconi beach and continue to Ile Rousse, a town very different from Saint-Florent, built by Pascal Paoli. Ile Rousse is an hour’s drive from Saint-Florent. Take a walk to the Pietra lighthouse: here you can enjoy the unique colours of the Corsican coast and fantastic views of the mountains.
Balagne Villages
Not far from Saint-Florent is the Balagne region, home to some of Corsica’s most beautiful villages. Among the most worth visiting are Pigna, Speloncato and Sant’Antonino.
Sant’Antonino
Is it possible to visit the Calanques of Piana from Saint-Florent?
No. Do not try to go to Porto and the Calanques of Piana as a day trip. They do not look far on the map, but in reality it will take a long time to get there, as it is a small winding road. However, the Gulf of Porto is one of the most beautiful regions of Corsica, so it is definitely worth a visit, but only with an overnight stay.
Calanques of Piana
Saint-Florent on Corsica map: