Bonifacio in autumnExplore the citadel with your family

Family vacation

After a few hours on the road, we finally landed in Bonifacio! The great strength of this town is that it offers unique experiences for all ages, while living them together. The kids can’t wait to go running on the beach, their father wants to relax and I’m looking forward to historical discoveries… We’re going to combine all this with gourmet breaks throughout our stay. I can’t wait to get started!

Plage Petit Sperone Balade Famille Bonifacio

Head for the beach!

Swimming in the turquoise waters of Sperone

The sun is shining brightly this morning, and our stay is off to a great start! For breakfast, we’ve been advised to try the pain des morts, a typical Bonifacian speciality and traditional for the All Saints’ Day period. A real delicacy, it’s a great way to fill up on energy with nuts and raisins. Just the thing: we took the road to little Sperone, and had to walk a little to reach this turquoise cove. Facing the island of Cavallo, you’d think you were alone in the world, simply surrounded by nature. While the kids had a great time in the water and building sandcastles, I chatted with a Bonifacian woman who gave me a few tips for the rest of the trip: I already know what I’m going to have for lunch… eggplants à la Bonifacienne! They’re the last of the season. This lady also advised me to take the Campu Rumanilu walk after the children’s siesta, leaving from the church of Saint Roch to watch the sunset on the way down. The view is apparently fabulous.

Discover the medieval city

In the footsteps of medieval Italian lords

Today, the weather is a little greyer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore the city. And since I love stories and old stones, I’ve decided to take everyone on a walk that starts at the Bastion de l’Étendard. The view is breathtaking: you can see the port, the countryside, Sardinia… It’s crazy! As for the children, they’re immersed in their playbook, discovering every nook and cranny of the Bastion: staircases, hidden rooms, medieval helmets to try on. They’re impressed, and so are we! On the way out, I spot a few pretty, colorful boutiques… I’ll be shopping when they get to the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon with Dad: 189 steps are too dizzying for me, but not for them! They’ll even get their diploma on the way out!

To discover

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Do your kids love treasure hunts? All you have to do is download the Les mystères de Pif app and set off to discover the city’s secrets… Lupif and Charlok will be at the controls, guiding you for an hour through the narrow streets to answer the riddles. Bonifacio will no longer hold any secrets for your little ones – or for you!

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Ice cream, candy and bread for the dead

Small stomachs, get ready!

Wandering around the city on my own, while the kids were having fun at the playground next to the Torrione, which I fully intend to climb to get a good look at the view, I spotted a few places that should please my little monsters… At the tourist office, I was able to book a workshop to learn how to make the bread of the dead that has become our breakfast staple. It’s open to children aged 7 and over, so it’s perfect for mine. And as we’ll be leaving with the recipe, we’ll have no excuse not to make it again at home! The workshop will take place at Les Amis restaurant on the port, the perfect excuse to go and see the boats and chat with the fishermen. And since there’s a candy store on the Marina, we can stop there too.

Picnics and bucolic discoveries

From Strada Vecia to Fazziò

Luckily, I remembered to pack my jogging suits and sneakers: we put them to the test for our walk along the Strada Vecia, the old Bonifacian path. The kids loved it, and so did we! We set off quietly mid-morning from the trailhead just off the port, and wandered for two hours along this pretty, shady stone path, where the scents of the shrubs mingled with each other. We saw lots of plants, including the famous endemic myrtle, and even came across hedgehogs and Hermann’s tortoises! We obviously left them alone, especially as they’ll soon be entering their hibernation period, but they seemed happy to take advantage of the still generous sunshine. The kids were like crazy! We also took the opportunity to put the few items of garbage we found on site into our backpacks. A little good citizenship never hurts. At the end of the path, after passing an old oven, we discovered the Fazziò cove: a dream spot for a family picnic by the water!

Bonifacio by the sea

All hands on deck!

I feel like discovering Bonifacio by sea today: there’s only a light breeze, so there’s no risk of seasickness when we leave the Goulet – the name of the entrance to the port. From offshore, the excited children show me the Roy d’Aragon staircase carved into the rock: it’s true that it’s impressive, and I’m even prouder that they’ve climbed it. The sea trip makes them want to go pirating… A good opportunity to go to Le Gouvernail after lunch: there are still some stairs to go down, but we’ll arrive in a room 10 meters above the water, with a breathtaking view of the Bouches de Bonifacio, which is why the military engineers built this room in the 19th century. That said, to save our nerves a little, we’ll take the little train to the marine cemetery.

Did you know?

The Bonifacio school enjoys one of the most beautiful views in the city. Adjacent to the Torrione, in the Pisan quarter, its windows open onto the sea, providing a dream environment for children all year round.

Let's play scare games

This is Halloween

It’s already the last day… The week has really gone by too fast! We head uptown to bring back a few souvenirs for grandparents, and especially to take part in the Halloween parade. Disguises, make-up, anything goes in the Bastion and the Citadel’s alleyways! And with thunder rumbling in the distance, the atmosphere couldn’t be better. After the party, we take the opportunity to play an escape game in the city. The booklet for solving the riddles can be purchased from the tourist office.

From hill to beach

Wind and thrills

As we chatted, a restaurant owner suggested we go to La Trinité for the bucolic walk and the Hermitage, which is open to the public. The panorama is incredible: you can see the city in the distance and, above all, the abundant countryside. As it’s a bit windy, after the walk we head off to Balistra beach to try our hand at windsurfing. Fortunately, they’re not afraid of beginners! Once again, the setting is grandiose, and the activity delights young and old alike, even the less athletic. It has to be said that the instructors are extremely patient, which reassures everyone.