Piana

The small village of Piana is located 400 meters above the Gulf of Porto on the coast of western Corsica and 12 km southwest of Porto. The village is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.

With its traditional stone houses and the church that dominates the village, Piana offers a small historic center of narrow streets to stroll through and a few shops, bars and restaurants. It doesn’t take long to explore Piana itself. But people come here not so much for the atmosphere of the old town, but for the landscapes and beaches around. The magnificent Calanques de Piana, located between Porto and Piana, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Piana attractions:

The village, after being destroyed, was rebuilt in 1690. On the grey granite lintel of the presbytery’s entrance door, located opposite the church, is an inscription dating back to 1737: “1737 MFDPBDPPR.”

In the heart of the village, around the Place de la Mairie, you’ll find the town hall, the parish church of the Assumption, a war memorial, La Poste offices, the Tourism Office, and the Public Finance Centre, alongside local shops and a car park. Here, you’ll also spot the historic hotel “Les Roches Rouges,” recognized as a historical monument.

The Parish Church of the Assumption

At the centre of Piana stands the Baroque Church of Sainte-Marie, also known as the Church of the Assumption, built in the late 18th century. Inside, you’ll find a significant 17th-century painting of Saint Hugo of Lincoln and a wooden statue of the Assumption. From several spots in the village, you can enjoy sweeping views of the coastline.

Piana’s Beaches

A road leads from the village down to a picturesque natural harbour known as Marina de Ficajola. Though you’ll need to walk the last few hundred metres, the small beach, framed by stunning red rocks, is well worth the effort. While the sand may be firmer than on some of Corsica’s other beaches, the beauty of the location more than makes up for it.

For a larger beach, follow the D824 road west of Piana towards Capu Rossu. The Plage d’Arone, located about 12 kilometres from the village, offers spectacular coastal views along the way.

The Calanques of Piana

Between Porto and Piana lie the extraordinary Calanques de Piana, a series of striking red rock formations that dramatically plunge into the deep blue sea. These unique landscapes have earned the Calanques a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Overlooking the Bay of Dardo, the Calanques de Piana nature reserve is about two kilometres northeast of the village, nestled between the Dardo stream and the Piana municipal forest. The narrow, winding D81 road runs through the area, offering breathtaking, if slightly dizzying, views along its route.

The Calanques of Piana (in Corsican calanche di Piana), located about 10 km south of Porto, are considered one of the wonders of Corsica. Slow erosion has formed these jagged granite cliffs, 300 meters above sea level. You will find a deep blue sea, strange and sometimes fantastic rock shapes: peaks, columns and intricate figures.

One of the most famous elements of the Calanques of Piana is the heart-shaped formation. In another place, the rocks form a dog’s head – this place is marked on Google Maps as Tête du Chien. When driving along the road, try not to rush, so as not to miss this magical place. In some places along the road there are pockets where you can stop and get out of the car to calmly admire these fantastic landscapes. Location on the map.

Around Piana:

In addition to the narrow road with its magnificent views of the Piana calanques, there are numerous hiking trails along the cliffs around – the tourist office can advise you – this is the best way to appreciate the beauty of the Calanche de Piana.

The area around the town is one of the most beautiful in Corsica, and there are many attractions nearby. These include the coastal scenery of the Scandola Nature Reserve and the picturesque Spelunca Gorges to the east of Porto, between the villages of Ota and Evisa.

You can find more travel ideas in the Corsica travel guide.

Piana on the map of Corsica: