France to Corsica
 

Hi
Will be going to Corsica via France this September, does anyone have any good/bad experiences and any recommendations ?.
Thanks Dave.

I am presuming you have already booked the ferry. Which port are you going from? Most of the ferries will have eased off after the end of August as `` rentree`` ( kids going back to school)will have happened. On all ferries however, because of the heavy traffic, both commercial and ordinary vehicles during July August, the plating on the ships vehicle decks gets very slippery from rubber/oil/diesel, and can be lethal if the weather gets a bit wet. Take care. Take your own tie down straps. The ones supplied by the ferry companies will be filthy at the end of the season.
September can be a great month in Corsica, and the riding is great in any direction, personal favourites are Ajaccio and Corte. But it can also be wet, and if it really rains hard, beware the bottom of hills, because all the dust and gravel collects on the bottom corners and it can be rather disconcerting trying to ride like a speedway ace when the back end tries to overtake you. Apart from that it`s great!

Dont` forget there is an HU Travellers Meeting in France 4-6th September down in the LOT. If you can make that as well,I would be very happy to see you there.

Hi
Thanks for the reply, i haven't booked yet, it'll be approx 16th September for 2 weeks, Nice looks like a good option and do i need to book in advance ?
Also would like to visit Sardinia, do the ferries run frequently ?

I haven't done the Crossing from Nice, but Nice to Calvi is probably the shortest route. I've done Marseilles to Ajaccio, which is an overngiht ( 12 hrs), which I like cos you can rest a bit. There are two operators from Marseilles, can't remember one, but i've used SNCM from the ''gare maritime'' terminal one or two. One sailing every day at around midnight. Corsica ferries do the Sardinia crossing. haven't done it so can't offer any help there.

Take a look:-
Ferry Routes – Find a European ferry route with directferries.co.uk

Regarding your original question:
Corsica is a beautiful island that is bigger than might be assumed; about 100 miles long and the mountains rise to around 11000 feet from memory (might be a bit out on that last bit, but you get the idea - it is mountainous).

I spent a couple of weeks there a longish time ago. My memories are:
Once off the main roads the local kids ride their bikes with their helmets slung over their arms.
Corsica is the origin of the word "vendetta", so the locals say, for good reason. But the people are very friendly.
The interior is "wildish", steep sided country, covered in gorse bushes and similar vegetation with twisty roads where the gravel accumulates on the bends and in dips where it is washed by heavy rainfall.

I visited Corsica 2 years ago with my SR 500 and i can really recommend it.
I made the mistake of traveling during the summer, which was a bit too hot. In addition to that there were many tourists (I know, I was one as well :D).

Try to avoid the eastern part of the island, it is pretty boring compared to the rest.
Riding along the coast is pretty nice, but you should definitly drive in the inner part of the island as well. There is less traffic and beautiful roads.

I took the ferry from Toulon to Bastia (over night).

How long do you plan to stay?

Dear Dave,
I toured Corsica September 2013.
Wonderful riding and scenery.
Highly recommended.
Very many awesome roads, especially in the northern half, both coastal and inland. Small and twisty.
Memorable routes:
Bastia north beside the coast to the north of cap course.
In fact all round cap course, but the roads on the western side were in poor condition.
St. Florent eastwards through desert des agriates. (Poor road)
Corte over the mountains through Evisa to Porto at the coast, then the coastal road both north and south.
Porto Veccio into the mountains to Zonza, on to Zicavo, then northwards on the D69.
Etc. etc.
Lots of German motorcyclists.
Travelled without pre booking accommodation, but with hindsight would book ahead.
Returned to Marseilles from propriano onboard overnight ferry - very nice, but only able to book in person at booking office in advance at the ferry terminal. Not online. I think the ferry company was Mediteranea, or similar.
It was definitely better than the ferry between Italy and Sardinia.
Sardinia to Corsica ferry duration about an hour, runs frequently. Tie down with their rough bit of old polypropylene rope kept our bikes safe in seriously rough weather. Bonifacio to Sardinia. Great views on ferry.
Happy memories. Envy you.