The village of Piana and its famous creeks

On the west coast of the Isle of Beauty, between Porto 12 km to the north and Cargèse 18 km to the south, lies one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched at an altitude of 438 metres on the heights of the Gulf of Porto, facing the Senino and Scandola peninsulas, Piana enjoys an absolutely remarkable setting between sea and mountains.

At the entrance to the "calanches", Piana is overlooked by the church of Sainte-Marie in the centre of the village. This Italian Baroque parish church is dedicated to the Assumption and offers a remarkable setting. On the outside, the polychrome wooden door announces the colour to the visitor who, on entering the church, is faced with a monumental décor with magnificent frescoes and a choir vault decorated with medallions painted by Paul-Matthieu Novelli in the pure style of Corsican art.

With its old stone houses with flower-filled balconies arranged in an amphitheatre, its picturesque lanes and pretty squares ideal for a break in the shade, Piana is on the list of must-see villages in Corsica. And with good reason, its enchanting setting is sure to capture the hearts of every visitor...

Dominated by the church of Sainte-Marie and its Italian Baroque architecture, this village of just under 500 inhabitants is the starting point for numerous hiking trails leading to the famous calanques of Piana.

These walks allow you to discover the full splendour of this surprising landscape. The narrow, winding road winds its way along the cliffs that drop sheer into the sea, offering hikers a panorama of splendour and chaos.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the Calanches di Piana are made up of pink granite cliffs that plunge into the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. The view is breathtaking, and even more so at sunset.

Just below the village of Piana, on the way to Arone, lies the Ficaghjola cove, a place where you can enjoy hours of idleness in the generous sunshine of southern Corsica.

The calanques can be explored on foot via hiking trails, but also by swimming or by boat. You can easily discover the calanques from the sea: diving, snorkelling or stand-up paddling are all great ways to explore the calanques in a different way. In Porto, just below, there are a number of diving clubs and rental companies waiting to welcome you. Finally, during the high season, a number of discovery cruises explore the Golfe de Porte, giving you a glimpse of the village of Piana and its calanques from the sea.

As well as visiting the village of Piana and exploring the calanques, don't miss a trip to Capo Rosso. Part of the commune of Piana, Capo Rosso is an incredible spot from which to observe the Corsican coastline, from the Gulf of Porto to the Tour d'Omigna in Cargèse, via the Scandola Nature Reserve! Capo Rosso is only accessible on foot, via a hiking trail.

Also on Capo Rosso, the Tour de Turghiu is a Genoese tower dating from 1608. You can reach it via a staircase. You'll need to be careful, as the steps are pretty steep! But the reward is worth the effort, because once you're up there, the view over the Gulf of Porto is simply breathtaking!

We also recommend a trip to the port of Castagna. This tiny port is ideal for angling. From the jetty, you can admire the whole of the Bay of Porto and see as far as the coast of the Scandola reserve on the horizon. It's a very pleasant place to be!

Just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Piana is the Hotel Capo Rosso, which also boasts breathtaking views over the Gulf of Porto. The 4-star facilities and heated outdoor swimming pool ensure a memorable stay.

A more economical option, the Mare E Monti hotel is set in pleasant surroundings on the outskirts of the village of Piana. The rooms offer breathtaking views of the sea and mountains.