Corsica is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea and is also known as the “Island of Beauty” or “A Mountain in the Sea”. It is an island in the Mediterranean north of Sardinia.
The island of Corsica lies 170 km (106 mi) away from mainland France. You might wonder if Corsica can be seen from France. It is possible to see Corsica from the French Riviera when the sky is clear but you won’t clearly see details of the island. Most people think that the shadow of Corsica is only a mirage since it is far away from mainland France.
If you are wondering where in France you can see the shadow of Corsica, look no further. This article will talk about areas in the French Riviera where you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful island of Corsica. And, if you want to go to the island itself, we will also tell you how to get to Corsica from Nice, France.
History And Geographical Overview Of Corsica
Corsica is an island located 170 km (106 mi) from mainland France and 80 km (50 mi) from the Italian coast. Despite being nearer to the coast of Italy, Corsica is a French island. However, the culture in Corsica is more Italian than French as it was ruled by Genoa for 500 years. Corsica was bought from Genoa by France in 1767 and the purchase was only validated in 1768 in the Treaty of Versailles.
Corsica, also widely called “A Mountain in the Sea” is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is about 183 km (114 mi) long and at least 83 km (52 mi) wide.
The island of Corsica is very mountainous but it also has lakes and woody lands. Monte Cinto, the island’s tallest peak, measures 2,706 meters (8,880 ft) above sea level. Several mountains comprise two-thirds of Corsica island and about 19 of those mountains rise above 2,000 meters (6,562 ft).
Can You See Corsica From Nice, France?
With Corsica having mountains with peaks rising above 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) above sea level, is the Corsica view from the riviera a mirage or reality?
Located on the southeastern Coast of France lies Côte d’Azur, commonly known as the French Riviera. There are several days in a year when you can see Corsica Island from Côte d’Azur.
But is it real or is it just a mirage?
Most people think that the view of Corsica from France is just a mirage or optical illusion because of light refraction. This is when the air deflects light rays into the water to create the mirage. The cities in Côte d’Azur where you can see the shadow of Corsica are Nice, Monaco, Vence, Menton, Eze, Grasse, and Gourdon.
While it is possible to see Corsica from Nice and other areas of the French Riviera, the island can only be seen typically at dawn or when the day is clear or the is a dry air flow. The light coming from Corsica can also affect the visibility from mainland France. People living at a higher vantage point in the French Riviera will be able to see Corsica more clearly than on a lower vantage point. The weather and lighting can also influence the visibility of Corsica from the French Riviera.
How To Get To Corsica From Nice
If you want to see Corsica up close, you can travel to Corsica from Nice via sea or air.
Ferries coming from Nice can arrive in several cities in Corsica such as Bastia, Ile-Rousse, Porto-Vecchio, and Ajaccio. Before buying your ferry ticket, think about which city in Corsica you would like to go to.
Basta and Ile-Rousse are both in the northern part of the island. Porto-Vecchio is on the southern side while Ajaccio is located on the west coast of Corsica. The average travel time from Nice to these cities in Corsica is as follows:
Nice to Bastia: 7 hours and 45 minutes
Nice to Ile-Rousse: 6.5 hours
Nice to Porto-Vecchio: 13 hours
Nice to Ajaccio: 8 hours
Do note that sailing time can change depending on the weather, water conditions, and the ferry service.
If you plan on flying from Nice to Corsica, you can choose to fly to Bastia, Calvi, Figari, or Ajaccio. The travel time from Nice to Corsica by plane will take about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the city that you want to fly into. These are direct flights to Corsica so if you want to go to the island quickly, booking a plane ticket is your best option.
Wrap Up
It is possible to see Corsica Island from the French Riviera when the sky is clear. Some people might think it is a mirage but the shadow of Corsica can also be viewed from a higher observation point in Nice and other parts of the French Riviera.
Corsica is a big island with its tallest peak rising at 2,706 meters (8,880 ft). If you want to see Corsica from Nice, try waking up before sunrise at dawn and you may see the island if the sky is clear. If you have any other questions about Corsica, let us know how we can help!
