Visit Corsica in autumn

Shimmering forests, Indian summer and delicious seasonal specialities... Corsica in autumn is full of surprises. After the summer rush and before the cool of winter, from late September to November is the ideal time to visit the island of beauty. Take advantage of the mild autumn weather to visit Corsica, its towns, its scrubland and its coastline.

Extending summer

In Corsica in autumn, the lucky few on the island can enjoy near-summer temperatures both inland and on the coast. We invite you to extend your summer and be one of the lucky few.

Feet in the water

Whether you're in Ajaccio harbor, along the cliffs of Bonifacio or on the beach at Palombaggia in Porto-Vecchio, in autumn Corsica you'll have plenty of opportunities to take to the water. The sea temperature, around 20 degrees in October, is ideal for swimming. In October, you can also take advantage of the low crowds to visit some of the island's most popular spots. Sail around the sublime calanques of Piana and the Gulf of Porto, bask on the heavenly beach of Rondinara and visit Ajaccio's Napoleonic museums and other historic sites. Visiting Corsica in autumn allows you to discover the treasures of the Isle of Beauty in complete privacy.

On the terrace

If you're a gourmet, you're in for a treat when you visit Corsica in autumn. This is the time of year when many specialities appear on restaurant menus and market stalls. Chestnuts, mushrooms, olives, honey and brocciu await you on your trip. With the island's mild weather, you can even enjoy lunch or dinner on the terrace. From Bastia to Bonifacio, via Ajaccio and Porto-Vecchio, there's no shortage of gourmet addresses in Corsica.

Tasting Corsican wines

After a summer of sun-drenched vines, autumn is the season when Corsican winegrowers begin the grape harvest. And while many estates close their doors during this period, you're sure to find the best Corsican wines in the island's restaurants, boutiques and cellars.

Haute-Corse

The first stage of your autumn wine route begins in the north of the island at Bastia. Around the former Genoese capital, three vineyards take root on the island's fertile soils: Coteaux-du-Cap-Corse, Patrimonio and Vin de Corse. In Bastia, you'll be in the right place to taste some of the best vintages on the island of beauty. The other emblematic appellation of Haute-Corse is Calvi. In the same town, you'll find the Casa Vinu restaurant, where Corsican products are given pride of place and even sublimated thanks to the many bottles on the menu.

South Corsica

For the rest of this tannic itinerary, we invite you to visit the Corsican capital: Ajaccio. On the island's southwest coast, you'll find two appellations: Vin de Sartène and Vin d'Ajaccio. In the grocery store La Cave du Cardinal, a wide choice of regional wines and expert advice from local oenologists await you. Finally, stop off in Bonifacio, Corsica's southernmost town. Here, the Chez José wine bar is the place to sample wines from the south of the island.

What's the weather like in Corsica in autumn?

Early autumn is an ideal time to visit Corsica. In October, the weather on the island is very pleasant. The average maximum temperature is 22° and the average sea temperature is 20°. Average rainfall is 86.7 mm, with 11 hours of sunshine per day. October also sees an average of 11 days with temperatures above 18°.

In November, temperatures drop and the weather, while still mild, can sometimes be more capricious. The average maximum temperature on the island is 17.9°, with water temperatures averaging 18°. There are usually 13 days of rain and 9 hours 49 minutes of sunshine a day. At this time of year, the weather on the east coast of the island is more favorable than on the west coast. The less chilly can try their hand at swimming, and everyone can take advantage of the mild, sunny days of late autumn to explore Corsica's trails and towns.