The town of Saint-Florent occupies a lovely position on the south-western side of the base of the Cap Corse peninsula, in the north of Corsica and 24 kilometres from Bastia.
There are clear blue seas and a pretty harbour to one side and craggy hills covered in trees and bushes rising up behind, and dominating the village from a headland is a Genoise citadel, built in the 15th century.
Exploring Saint Florent
France This Way review: beautiful by day, the harbour is also lovely at night when the cafes light up the waterfront and out at see the lights of the boats are dotted around the bay. Up above the town the citadel is also illuminated at night, adding further to the charm of a visit.
Saint Florent is a popular resort on Corsica on the gulf of Saint Florent. A small town, it does not take long to explore.
Start your visit with a walk around the harbour to see the fishing boats and luxury yachts. All around the harbour you will find bars and restaurants including, not suprisingly, lots of excellent fish and seafood restaurants.
After your promenade around the harbour you can explore the charming streets of the old town in Saint-Florent. This sector, quite small, is based around the Place Doria and the Place des Portes where you can enjoy a drink whilst overlooking the sea below.
It is this part of the town that the locals gather to play petanque and to sit drinking strong expresso coffee, and you will also find various small shops.
There is a long sandy beach, the Plage de la Roya, along the coast west of the harbour in the centre of Saint-Florent.
Saint-Florent Citadel
From the town centre you can continue to the promontory with the citadel. The citadel was built in 1440 and was of great importance in the defence of nearby Bastia and the battle for control of the Mediterranean waters.
Of Genoise origin, the citadel has also belonged to the Aragonaise, French and Italians at different points in history. Admiral Nelson is reputed to have said "Give me the Gulf of Saint Florent and I will prevent any ships leaving Marseille or Toulon".
Saint Florent was also of importance in the second world war. It was occupied by fascist Italians but local resistance groups were active in helping the allies.
Corsica was the first French region to be liberated in the war and a key battle for liberation took place at Saint Florent between German troops and a company of Moroccans. There is a Muslim cemetery for the dead on the edge of the town.
The citadel is an attractive round stone building, although a large part of the other buildings were destroyed in the 17th century, and from here you get fabulous views over the town, the sea and the mountains (including the most popular photo of Saint-Florent, with the ancient houses along the seafront).
Places to visit near Saint Florent
When you've finished exploring the town head off to see the nearby Cathedral of the Nebbio, a small cathedral in the Pisan-Romanesque style built on the site of the original Roman town that existed close to where Saint Florent now stands and about one kilometre from the centre of Saint-Florent.
Make sure you sample the local wine when exploring around Saint-Florent. The region is very fertile and produces one of Corsica's best wines in the vineyards around Patrimonio - the village is six kilometres north-east of Saint-Florent and a good place to start exploring (and tasting) the local wine.
Heading north-west from the town you can reach the famous beach at Saleccia, a beach of fine white sand said to be among the loveliest to be found anywhere on the Mediterranean. The beach is half a mile long and backed by tree covered hills.
Unfortunately access is difficult and visitors usually arrive by boat that can be organised in Saint-Florent. the main alternative is a long walk (about six hours from Saint-Florent each way!) or by four-wheeled drive vehicle. Kylie Minogue has been seen holidaying here in recent times.
You will also want to explore the harbour and citadel at Bastia, make a tour of Cap Corse, and explore the landscapes of the Nebbio and Desert des Agriates while you are in this region.
See more seaside resorts in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Corsica guide.
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Map of Saint-Florent and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Florent with France This Way reviews
Bastia
At the base of Cap Corse, Bastia has something for everyone: a harbour, an old town and citadel, and broad 19th century boulevards
Bastia guide
Erbalunga
Erbalunga is a small and picturesque fishing village in south-east Cap Corse
Erbalunga guide
L'Ile-Rousse
L'Ile-Rousse is a busy town and beach resort in the Balagne region of north-west Corsica
L'Ile-Rousse guide
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Corse
Address: Saint-Florent, Conca-d'Oro, Bastia, Corsica, 20217, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 42.681, longitude 9.303
Plan your visit to Saint-Florent, Haute-Corse
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise de Santa Maria Assunta (Saint-Florent): religious monument
- Eglise de San Michele (Murato): religious monument (11 km)
- Bastia: town of art and history (12 km)
- Chapel Saint Quilico (Olcani): religious monument (15 km)
- Lama: ville fleurie 4* (16 km)
- Eglise de Notre-Dame-des-Neiges d'Erbalunga (Bastia): religious monument (17 km)
- Eglise de Santa Maria Assunta (Canari): religious monument (19 km)
- Cap Corse: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Eglise de San Raineru (Montegrosso): religious monument (21 km)
- Eglise de San Parteo Mariana (Lucciana): religious monument (22 km)
- Cathédrale Santa Maria de l'Assomption (Lucciana): religious monument (22 km)
- Agriates Desert: site of natural beauty (24 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Florent (Francais)