L'Agriate

Once considered Corsica's granary, where crops and livestock thrived, the Agriate is now Europe's only "desert". Unlike sandy deserts, this is a vast expanse of arid maquis and granite sculpted by the sea air. This wild landscape extends over 15,000 hectares, of which some 5,700 hectares have been acquired by the Conservatoire since 1979. Facing the sea and Cap Corse, the territory offers a view of immensity with its ridges, valleys and rocky peaks, as well as a varied shoreline with coves, bays, rocky points and several fine sandy beaches.

The different types of scrubland, shaped by past agriculture, include dense bushes of wild olive and mastic, high scrubland of arbutus, holm oak and heather, and low scrubland of rockrose, rosemary, lavender and immortelle. The area is also a haven for a rich avifauna, including Sardinian, Pitchou and Melanocephalus warblers, as well as majestic predators such as peregrine falcons and ospreys.

Coastal areas are refuges for dolphins and home to fine stands of juniper. The Aleppo pine forests, planted in the 19th century, and the alder, willow and poplar riparian forests add a touch of freshness.
The sand dunes, particularly near the beaches of Ostriconi, Saleccia and Lotu, contribute to the beauty of the landscape. These beaches, with their immaculate white sands and turquoise waters worthy of the Caribbean, invite you to discover exceptional seabeds.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Agriate is rich in history, with numerous vestiges of an intense agro-pastoral life and archaeological sites dating back to the Neolithic period. Excavations have revealed ancient settlements, burials, chests and dolmens, testifying that Corsica was an early focus of megalithism in the western Mediterranean.

This vast natural area, largely listed as a site and part of the European Natura 2000 network, continues to bear witness to the human and natural history that has shaped the Agriate, offering a unique and unspoilt experience of Mediterranean biodiversity.

Opening times

All year round.
Access restricted to certain vehicles.

Price:

Prices not available.