Piana

Visit Piana, Corsica

Piana is near the coast in western Corsica, 12km south-west of Porto. The delightful village of Piana, founded in 1725, is poised 400 metres above the Gulf of Porto and is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Exploring Piana

With its traditional stone houses and a church that dominates the village, Piana has lots of narrow streets to explore, and several boutiques, bars and restaurants.

The church is a late 18th century baroque style church (called the church of Sainte Marie or the church of the Assumption) which contains an important 17th century painting (Saint Hugo of Lincoln) and a wooden statue of the Assumption.

From the village there are also lovely views along the coast and roads that lead down to the harbour and a nearby beach.

But the village of Piana itself is only part of the reason why people visit this rugged part of Corsica - it is the scenery along the road from Piana to Porto that winds through an amazing landscape, known as the Calanches de Piana, that is the main attraction for visitors

Calanches of Piana

Perhaps reminiscent of the wild-west of Bryce Canyon in the USA, the Calanche of Piana ("Calanques de Piana) is a series of curious and extraordinary rock formations, bright red cliffs and rocks that in places plunge towards the deep-blue sea (very Homer's Odyssey).

History (or rather, myth) has it that the devil carved the 'city of rock', and various of the rock formations are identifiable as his work - a shepherdess, a dog, a bishop etc.

The Calanches of Piana are now listed as a protected site by UNESCO.

As well as driving along the narrow road, there are numerous walks through the rocks around Piana - the Tourist Office can give you advice - this is the best way to appreciate the beauty of the Calanche de Piana.

Attractions nearby

The region around Piana is one of the most attractive in Corsica and there are lots of things to see nearby. These include the coastal scenery of the Scandola Nature Reserve and the picturesque Gorges de Spelunca to the east between the villages of Ota and Evisa.

Tourist classifications for Piana: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Piana, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions:

See these places and more on a map at places near Piana

Piana tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Calanches de Piana - heritage site (2km) : Capu Rossu - site of natural beauty (5km) : Golfe de Porto - site of natural beauty (12km) : Scandola Nature Reserve - heritage site (14km) : Riciniccia - site of natural beauty (19km) : Lac de Nino - site of natural beauty (25km) : Lac de Melo - site of natural beauty (32km) : Gorges de la Restonica - site of natural beauty (33km) :

French version: see Piana (Francais)