Visit St Florent, Corsica - a travel guide

Like many of the Corsican towns Saint Florent has a Genoise citadel, built in the 15th century, but little else in the way of specific monuments. But that doesn't detract from its appeal, or its popularity as a holiday resort. Found on the western side of the base of the Cap Corse peninsula, in the north of Corsica, it is the climate and the nearby beaches and scenery that are the main attraction.

Saint Florent is a small town, needing only a morning to explore unless you get waylaid by the attractive harbour and cafes around the Place des Portes, or pass a long time wishing that you too could pass the summer on one of the expensive yachts moored  in the marina.

Take time to go to the squat round citadel that stands above the town for some lovely views, then around to the other side of the harbour for the best overall view of Saint Florent - or across to the other side of the Gulf de Florent - from here it looks very small and unassuming with the dark brooding mountains poised behind the light limestone buildings of the town.

Also head a little way out of town to see the Cathedral of the Nebbio, built on the site of the original Roman town that existed close to where Saint Florent now stands. The Nebbio cathedral doesn't look at all like the renowned grand cathedrals of mainland France that you might expect - it is a low, unassuming limestone building, much more suited to the Corsican setting in which it finds itself.

The region is very fertile and productive and produces one of Corsica's best wines from the vineyards around Patrimonio - the village itself is 6km north-east of Saint Florent and a good place to start exploring (and tasting) the local wine.

In the opposite direction, north-west of the town, is Saleccia - renowned for its white sandy beach, said to be one of the best beaches to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Market Stall in St Florent Corsica