A Genoese harbour town at the head of its gulf, between Cap Corse and the Agriates desert, below the Patrimonio vineyards.
Between Cap Corse and the Agriates desert, Saint-Florent (San Fiurenzu) is an old Genoese town that has become a busy seaside resort. Its neighbours are Patrimonio, known for its wines and its guitar festival, and Saleccia beach, one of the finest on the island, which you can only reach by boat, by 4x4 or on foot.
Every summer its marina fills with sailing boats and yachts: stroll along it at the end of the day before dinner on the quays.
Photo : SlimMars 13 / Pexels
The Genoese built the citadel above Saint-Florent in the 15th century to control the gulf, one of the best anchorages on the island. The town has seen sieges and landings: in 1794, the British fleet and the supporters of Pascal Paoli seized the gulf, and the town went through a brief period of Anglo-Corsican coexistence.
During the Second World War, Corsica was the first French department to be liberated. In 1943, the Moroccan tabors of the French army freed the area and took the Teghime pass, on the road to Bastia, where a memorial and cannons recall the fighting.
Photo : SlimMars 13 / Pexels
Saint-Florent’s main draw is its surroundings. To the west lies the Agriates desert: about 15,000 hectares of protected maquis and coastline, with no tarmac road down to the sea, more than a third of it owned by the Conservatoire du littoral (the French coastal protection agency). To the east are the hillsides of the Nebbiu and the Patrimonio vineyards. A day at Lotu or Saleccia is the outing not to miss.
Photo : Amnezia2b / Pixabay
Updated 30 October 2026
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsOn the high ground above the town, the citadel was built by the Genoese from 1439 or 1440, depending on the source: a 15th-century central tower, with half-moon towers added in the 16th century. It held a strategic position guarding the rear of Bastia, and was damaged in 1943 when a mine depot exploded. It is a listed historic monument and hosts concerts in summer.
Also known as Santa Maria Assunta, it stands just outside Saint-Florent, on the road to Poggio-d’Oletta. This Romanesque building, well restored, is still used for worship. It was the cathedral of the diocese of Nebbiu until the Revolution, and it appears on the very first list of French historic monuments. It is one of the finest Romanesque churches on the island; do not confuse it with the small church by the port.
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsOn the Agriates coast, all that remains of this 16th-century Genoese tower is a section of wall topped with machicolations. Together with the Vecchiaia tower on the opposite shore, it kept watch over the gulf. In 1794, the British fleet, with Nelson, had to take it from the land after failing to do so from the sea. Impressed, the British copied its design for their own coastal towers, known as ‘Martello’ towers. It is a listed historic monument.
IllustrationOn the east side of the gulf, Roya beach is the closest to town. The water stays shallow a long way out, and it is the starting point of the customs officers’ path that follows the coast of the Agriates desert.
IllustrationIn the protected Agriates area, it is served by boat from the Saint-Florent marina from April to October, weather permitting; the crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes. Check the timetable at the port, as it changes from year to year.
Photo: VokaGraphic / PixabayFurther into the Agriates, you can reach it by boat, by 4x4 on a track from Casta (4x4 shuttles run in season) or on foot, in almost six hours from Roya along the customs officers’ path. See our page on the Agriates desert.
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsA few kilometres away, the village of Patrimonio gave its name to the island’s oldest wine appellation, recognised in 1968 and covering seven communes of the Nebbiu. The estates welcome visitors, and every summer the village hosts the Nuits de la guitare (guitar festival).
Scenic flights and trips to the beaches of the Agriates leave from Saint-Florent or just outside it.
A two-seater flight with an instructor, to see the gulf, the citadel and the Agriates from above.
Thirty minutes over the gulf and the Nebbiu, with a pilot.
A day in the Agriates: a 4x4 track, beaches and a walk along the coastal path.
Three hours visiting estates in the Patrimonio appellation, starting from Saint-Florent.
Every summer, the festival brings together guitarists of every style for open-air concerts. The 2026 edition ran from 20 to 27 July. Programme at festival-guitare-patrimonio.com.
Prices and ratings checked on GetYourGuide in October 2026.
The town is small and fills up quickly in summer: the villages of the Nebbiu are a quieter alternative.
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsIn the thick of things, with restaurants and boat departures within walking distance. Noisy in summer. Boats to Lotu beach leave from the harbour.
Boats to Lotu beach leave from the marina, from April to October depending on the weather. Park at the entrance to the town: near the port, parking is difficult in summer.
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsAlong the beach, on the east side of the gulf: quieter and practical for families.
At the Roya, you can wade out a long way, which is reassuring with children. The customs officers’ path to the Agriates starts from the beach.
Between the town and Oletta, a few minutes from the centre.
The Nebbiu cathedral, one of the finest Romanesque churches on the island, stands beside the road as you leave town. To dine on the port in summer, set off early: parking there is difficult.
Photo: SlimMars 13 / PexelsPatrimonio, Oletta, Poggio-d’Oletta: villages on the hillsides among the vines, looking out over the gulf.
Patrimonio is about 10 minutes from Saint-Florent, outside summer and without stopping. The estates welcome visitors, and every summer the village hosts the Nuits de la guitare.
At the entrance to the Agriates, for an early start to Saleccia.
All places to stay in Saint-Florent→
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The nearest airport is Bastia Poretta, 30 km away (about 35 minutes by car). See flying to Corsica.
Land at Bastia, about thirty kilometres away over the Teghime pass: sailings from Marseille, Toulon, Nice and Italy. The Saint-Florent marina welcomes visiting yachts. See the ferry crossing.
Saint-Florent has no railway station, and no regular Via Corsica coach line serves it. Ask the tourist office about coaches from Bastia.
In summer, parking near the port is difficult: arrive early or park at the edge of town and walk the rest of the way.
June and September, for the sea, the beaches of the Agriates and the grape harvest. In July and August, book early: the town is very busy. See when to go to Corsica.
Half a day for the town and the cathedral; two to four days with a day at Lotu or Saleccia and an afternoon in the vineyards.
Office de tourisme intercommunal de Saint-Florent, Nebbiu, Conca d’Oru, bâtiment administratif, 20217 Saint-Florent. Tel. +33 4 95 37 06 04. Website: corsica-saintflorent.com.
