The secrets and soul of BonifacioÎle de Beauté's southernmost city

Bonifacio intimate

A medieval citadel perched high above alabaster cliffs, narrow streets to lose yourself in and relics from another era: Bonifacio is full of secrets, some of which are jealously guarded. In the Middle Ages, the city was built under Genoese influence and has retained its unique character. Welcome to the heart of Bonifacio, recognized as a Ville d’art et d’histoire (Town of Art and History) since 2019, which welcomes visitors for a journey back in time and out of time, through alleyways covered with small cobblestones that are sometimes slippery and uneven, and best walked in sneakers rather than heels. Here, centuries of history stare back at us, and that’s no mere expression…

Old stones and cobbled streets

Discover the upper town

A majestic city perched on its ivory balcony, Bonifacio is anchored at the southernmost tip of Corsica, facing its sister island of Sardinia. A sleepy little fishing port, the town has metamorphosed over the centuries to become a veritable impregnable fortress. In the course of these transformations, Bonifacio has seen the emergence of a citadel resembling a fortified castle, Gothic churches with the charm of yesteryear, a parapet walk, arches and vaults that plunge us into a medieval setting, as well as an upper town with narrow, cobbled streets where craftsmen and merchants alike offer the best of the Isle of Beauty.

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The heritage of Pisa and Genoa

Explore Bonifacia's rich heritage

With its strategic position at the crossroads of trade routes, Bonifacio has benefited from many influences, the most eminent of which are those of the Republics of Genoa and Pisa. These independent states bequeathed a rich heritage that can be seen around every corner. Just a few steps from the Torrione, a curiosity with 189 irregular steps invites us to plunge into the deep blue sea. Fortunately, there’s no jumping into the sea involved, just respect for this unusual staircase carved out of limestone.

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For stair-climbers, in the area of the marine cemetery, the Gouvernail offers a unique view of the Strait. Away from the hustle and bustle of the town center, the chemin de ronde is also an essential witness to Bonifacio’s fertile past. Like a guard watching over the horizon, you can stroll along the cliffs, hoping to catch a glimpse of a ship flying the black flag.

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Esplanade Bastion Etendard Olivier Mer Bonifacio

Admire Sardinia from the cliffs

A promontory that defies the laws of gravity

A viewpoint between land and sea

At the junction of several alleyways, while we’re still wandering through the medieval town, one of them offers an unobstructed view of the distant horizon. We step inside, curious to discover what’s in store next. The spectacle, as the saying goes, is breathtaking! Here, the connection between land and sea is both brutal and fascinating. More than sixty meters of verticality separate us from the Big Blue, where boats sail with sails unfurled in the wind. As the iodized sea air caresses our faces, gulls soar through the sky, playing acrobatic games along the ivory-colored cliffs. Houses, suspended like lookouts above the void, defy the laws of gravity. It’s easy to understand why Bonifacio, with such an identity to defend and promote, has been included in the Réseau des Grands Sites de France.

Flavors, fragrances and sounds

Discover local gastronomy and crafts

While Bonifacio’s centuries-old heritage can be seen in every stone, a visit to the town is also a sensory and visual adventure, with its food shops and craftsmen. Smells, scents and sounds collide to bring you the very best of Corsica. Cutlery, workshops, delicatessens, wine bars, cafés and restaurants – nothing is missing for an immersive, total experience. At Ceccaldi Cutlery, a unique savoir-faire is brought to life through a family adventure. All are dedicated to shaping steel, wood, horn and precious metals, to deliver knives of the utmost finesse, such as the Curnicciulu, a blade born of Corsican agro-pastoral tradition. Continuing our peregrinations, we make a gourmet stop at Rocca-Serra’s master ice-cream maker on rue Doria. An opportunity to refresh ourselves before attending a polyphonic concert.

Waterways

Take a stroll through Bonifacia's arches and vaults

The art of resisting a siege

As you stroll along the charming winding streets of the historic town center, you may have noticed overhead these architectural elements that create a romantic atmosphere with a play of light and shadow. The function of these arches and vaults? To supply water through pipes to the network of cisterns in the bowels of Bonifacio. By interconnecting the buildings, this ingenious rainwater harvesting system was designed to respond to the possibility of a siege, enabling the local population to have access to this vital resource. As you stand on the forecourt of the church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, one of the largest cisterns in the Cité des falaises is hidden beneath your feet, with a capacity of some 650,000 liters.

Did you know?

The commune of Bonifacio was recently awarded a Marianne d’or for sustainable development in recognition of its overall water policy. In fact, it is making numerous improvements to its drinking water and wastewater networks.

Enjoy the port and its Mediterranean fjord

The call of the open sea

In a luminous setting, we stroll along the quayside, skirting the sea where countless boats are moored. Sailboats and ships of all sizes bustle about in a perpetual ballet, almost tempting us to get on board and set sail for the wild coast. But that’s for later, as the scent of iodine and dolce vita lures us to one of the terraces facing the yachtsmen. Well sheltered from the sometimes rough seas of the Strait, the port is truly nestled at the bottom of what might be called a Mediterranean fjord. The limestone walls literally plunge into the deep black waters, interspersed here and there with idyllic white-sand coves.

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In search of sweet evenings

Stroll the narrow streets of Bonifacio by night

Farniente and alternative exploration

When night falls, Bonifacio reveals another facet of its personality. You can lose yourself in the discreet passages that the old town is famous for. After enjoying a cold beer on a delightful terrace, the emptiness of the cliffs absorbs you. On the other side of the mouths, you contemplate Sardinia, its lights twinkling like a hundred lighthouses and breaking the depth of the darkness.

Bonifacio’s magic at dusk

Arrived in Bonifacio yesterday with the girls. At last! Tonight, we’re joining our friends who are here with their families, children and grandparents. To keep everyone...

Eat and drink

Bonifacio is rich in culinary specialties. Discover Bonifacian recipes in the town’s restaurants. Or visit a grocery store for a plate of traditional charcuterie and...

Further information

Discover our must-haves

Escalier Roy Aragon Marches Falaises Bonifacio

L’Escalier du Roy d’Aragon

Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure