Porto-Vecchio

This year’s IN place

Portivechju, Corsica’s third largest town, can pride itself on being the island’s top seaside resort. It’s often compared with Saint-Tropez. Yachts line up side by side in the marina below the ramparts. The old town is a big draw, its narrow streets lined with restaurants, bars and shops, many open until midnight. Above them rears the Genoese citadel with its concert hall. For lazing in the sun there are some of the island’s best beaches – Palombaggia, Santa Giulia etc. The pink granite rocks, white sand and turquoise sea provide a magnificent setting for the ‘paillotes’ that host everything from yoga sessions to beach parties.

Where to stay

Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa & spa Nucca (cosmetics with natural ingredients from the Corsican scrublands). This Relais & Châteaux hotel offers a family atmosphere, gardens shaded by umbrella pines, fine sand beach, and a bar-restaurant where chef Pascal Cayeux takes inspiration from his kitchen garden.

Route de Cala Rossa, Lecci

A Relais & Châteaux hotel on a hillside above the sea, with suites in tradition stone-built style, gastronomic restaurant and infinity pool.

Route de Palombaggia

Casadelmar & spa Espa - Each room or suite opens onto a vast panoramic terrace overlooking the bay. Ideal for soaking up the sun before heading to Fabio Bragagnolo’s restaurant 

(2 Michelin stars). 

Route de Palombaggia

Where to eat

Le Belvédère 

 A remarkable place right beside the sea, with magical sunsets. 

A choice of moods and menus between the gastronomic restaurant, the spit grill, the lobster terrace and the bar lounge.

Route de Palombaggia

Le Relais 

A traditional inn famed for its veal from the family farm. Top quality ingredients and a heart-warming atmosphere.  A lot of local people are regular customers.

Centre du village, Sotta

Petit Chose

Dine beneath the pine trees with your toes in the sand and end the evening with a last drink at the Luna Bar beneath a starry sky.

Plage de Folacca

Where to go for drinks

L’Othello

Port Vecchio’s must-go party spot boasts a wide choice of original cocktails an, an absinth fountain. Eclectic décor, varied music, a terrace looking out to sea and themed evenings. 

65 rue Borgo

Xavier Biancarelli

Xavier Biancarelli, the soul of knife making - He was 15 when he made a perfect replica of a Jean Biancucci knife his father had given him. Now almost 40, Xavier loves his work as a maker of the traditional Corsican knife, the 'curnaghjola'. He makes his own steel, selects the materials for the handles, takes care of everything down to the finishing touches. Works of art, made for daily use, take shape in his forge. Each one is unique and personalised, bearing the Excellence label of the Syndicat des Couteliers Corses, which he founded. A sharp tradition, cutting-edge quality, Corsican pride and artistry.

Route de Palombaggia, lieu-dit Vardattu

Sea, sun & paillotes

Le Cabanon Bleu on Saint-Cyprien beach is a welcoming haven, almost a treasure island, at the end of a rugged path. In fact I’s more easily reached by sea. At the classy, elegant Palm Beach at Palombaggia you choose a live lobster from the tank before taking your ease on a lounger. The Acciaro, in the small Asciaghju bay, is a haunt much frequented by locals. U Santa Marina on the beach at Santa Giulia offers a choice of moods: gastronomic restaurant, poolside grill or beach restaurant. At the Paradisula you’ll enjoy sophisticated dishes in a stylish Bali-inspired décor.

Shopping gems

Here they’ve been making jewellery from Corsican red coral for over 40 years. From the shop you can see them at work in the backroom. 

46 rue Maréchal Juin – Sortie sud

A Muredda

High quality delicatessen with local produce. 

Route de l’Ospédale, lieu-dit Arutoli