SartèneA town full of character, blending history, traditions and wide open spaces

Sartène

Perched on its rocky outcrop, Sartène overlooks the Rizzanese Valley and the Gulf of Valinco. Behind its tall granite façades and vaulted passageways lies a town deeply shaped by its history, traditions and surroundings.

Take the time to step through the gate into the old town, lose yourself in its narrow streets and discover the town that Prosper Mérimée described as ‘the most Corsican of Corsican towns ’.

Getting there

In the heart of the old town

A story carved in granite

From Place Porta, the bustling heart of Sartène, it’s just a short walk to the old town.

Pass under the archway ofthe former Palace of the Genoese Governors and step into a maze of narrow streets, stairways and passageways flanked by tall granite houses. Here you’ll findthe watchtower, the last remaining vestige of the old fortifications,the Church of Sainte-Marie and the houses that tell the story of several centuries of Sartène’s history.

To explore further, the Sartène Tourist Office offers a 15-stop audio-guided tour: a way to discover the town at your own pace, taking in its history, anecdotes and iconic landmarks.

The most Corsican of Corsican towns!

Prosper Mérimée

SARTÈ - SARTENE

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Les Hautes Maisons De Sartene
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©S.Leroy-Corse des origines

From origins to traditions

A land that has been inhabited for millennia

The history of Sartène begins long before the town was founded.

Just a few kilometres away, the Cauria plateautakes youback several millennia. The megalithic alignments at Stantari and Renaghju and the Funtanaccia dolmen bear witness to the ancient occupation of these lands. The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Corsica, in the heart of Sartène, continues this journey through time via its collections.

But in Sartène, history is also very much alive. Every Good Friday, U Catenacciu winds its way throughthe town’s streets. This centuries-old procession, deeply rooted in the island’s religious tradition, is one of the town’s most iconic events.

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Catenacciu in the church at Sartène
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@OTISVT-W. Mourreaux

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Lion of Roccapina
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©S.Leroy-Corse des origines

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S La Corse Des Merveilles Dl Bd Ld Roccapina Jpeg 54

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Castellu Di Baricci
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OTI SVT - @Sebastien Leroy

From Ortolo to Roccapina

Another side to the Sartenais region

Leave the city behind and discover a vast region where agricultural valleys, vineyards, scrubland and a wild coastline follow one another.

In the Ortolo Valley, the vineyards tell the story of a terroir shaped by granite, the Mediterranean climate and the hard work of local people. Take the time to meet winegrowers, producers and artisans, and sample the local specialities of the Sartenais region.

Then continue on to Roccapina. Dominated by its famous granite lion and Genoese tower, its bay with its crystal-clear waters opens out onto one of the most recognisable landscapes in the far south of the region.

Here, heritage, agriculture and nature all tell the same story: that of a preserved and ever-vibrant land.

Set off along the paths

The Sartenais region’s natural side

Sartène is also best explored on foot.

The Col de Suara trail offers an easy walk of around 1½ hours through the maquis. Along the way, discover the Mediterranean flora and enjoy sweeping views of Sartène, the Gulf of Valinco and the surrounding hills.

A breath of fresh air just a few minutes from the historic centre.

A taste of Sarten

Around Sartène, winegrowers, livestock farmers, producers and craftspeople bring this bountiful region to life.

Step inside a vineyard, discover local produce, take a seat at a farmhouse inn or restaurant, and take the time to meet the people who bring the flavours of the Sartenais to life.

Because here, getting to know a region is also about what we share around a table.

Tasting local produce and products

Corsica's origins