The Sanguinaire archipelago, a unique place to visit off Ajaccio in Corsica
If there is a list of magical places to discover in Corsica...The Sanguinaires archipelago would be at the top of that list.
Made up of 4 islands, the archipelago is located 15km by boat from Ajaccio, and a few hundred meters from the tip of Parata.
This chain of islands is classified as “Natura 2000”. Only the large island “Mezzu Mare” can be visited. You will see many birds and emblematic flora there. You can access the highest points of the island, whether to the north where the lighthouse is located or to the south where you will find the semaphore. The views are exceptional
You can admire these islands from the sea or from land.
I strongly advise you to come at sunset to admire the flamboyant colors of this spectacle repeated a thousand times.
Another piece of advice, come out of season if possible, you will discover this “jewel” in complete peace of mind.
A little map to locate you
How to get to Corsica?
- By plane: there are 4 airports in Corsica (Bastia, Calvi, Figari and Ajaccio)
- By ferry: there are 4 ports from the continent (Bastia, Port Vecchio, Ile Rousse and Ajaccio), departures are from Marseille, Toulon or Nice.
Getting around Corsica:
You have the choice. You can rent a car, come with your campervan (wild camping prohibited), use the train which passes through the ports and airports mentioned above or use the bus service.
Accommodation in Ajaccio?
- When camping: “Camping les Mimosas” or “camping Barbicaja”
- Other types of accommodation: see below
Coming to the Sanguinaires archipelago by sea:
- Go for a boat trip from Port Tino Rossi in Ajaccio. Sensation and magnificent landscapes guaranteed...and what's more, a little "aperitif" upon arriving on Mezzu Mare Island which you can discover freely. On the way back, admire the sunset with some Corsican music in the background
- You can also rent a boat without a license or, for the more sporty, a jet-ski
- Last solution rent a boat with skipper for a birthday for example :)
You can also discover the Bloodthirsty Islands from land
To do this, take your car or campervan and follow the D111 or even the bus (line 5 from Place C. de Gaulle towards Parata)...go to the "Maison du Grand Site de France des Iles Sanguinaires ".
Park in the parking lot. You will be able to discover the Sanguinaires Islands from land. Head towards the Génoise tower, walk around the site admiring the Islands a few hundred meters away.
Go back up the path towards Pointe de la Corba to get another view of the Islands.
Genovese Tower
View from the Génoise Tower (photo on the right Iles Sanguinaires)
It is now time to discover the largest and only visitable Island... Mezzu Mare.
There is only one place to disembark...a small pontoon in the South East of the Island. This one is 1.3 kilometers long
As soon as you land on the small beach, you are struck by the beauty of the place. Seabirds flutter above your head. The colorful flora covers the entire island. A path on your right leads to the lighthouse, another on your left takes you to the semaphore.
The island is deserted, you are alone with your group. It's time to discover this "nugget".
Take the right path towards the lighthouse. This climbs a little, you will come across gulls nestled in the middle of the heather who will accompany you in your effort to reach the highest point. You are at the foot of the lighthouse, 80 meters above sea level.
The spectacle is magnificent...at the other end of the Island, the semaphore our next discovery.
Access path to the lighthouse
View from the lighthouse of the Sanguinaires Islands and the tip of Parata, as well as the pontoon
After this first visit, head towards the semaphore.
You must return via the path you just took and then continue straight to the other end of the Island.
This semaphore was built in 1865 in order to have a 360° view of the open sea and in particular of the bay of Ajaccio. Its activity ceased in 1955.
You are now 30 meters above the sea facing the Mediterranean.
What a spectacle again...breathtaking!!...Enjoy this moment before returning to the pontoon and hoping to see a great sunset.
Access path to the semaphore and view of the lighthouse from the semaphore
You are back on the pontoon...you embark a little sad to leave this island...but there is one last spectacle not to be missed!!
The sunset over the Sanguinaires...A magical moment for an equally magical end to the day.
I hope I have made you want to discover and visit this little piece of Corsica....The Sanguinaires Islands, an incredible string of Islands.. I wish you a good trip on this extraordinary route and good souvenir photos.