Bonifacio (Corsica France)

Bonifacio is a port town located on Corsica Island's southern coast, across the Mediterranean Sea to Sardinia Island (Italy). The ancient stone houses of the once much-besieged community cleave to one of the most striking sites of the island - a towering promontory of limestone rock jutting out into the sea 200 ft below. Established around AD 828 as a defense against pirates, the city of Bonifacio was taken from Pisa at the end of the 12th century by the Genoese and until modern times it remained under the influence of Genoa.

Corsica Island has total area 8680 km2 (3351 mi2), a mountainous interior, with highest  elevation point (Mount Cinto) 2710 m (8892 ft). The coast is mostly indented and rocky in the west; in the east Aleria's coastal plain is dotted with swamps and lagoons. From the mountains descend numerous torrential streams. The largest rivers are Golo and Tavignano. In 1768 the Genoese ceded the isle to France and a significant result of the cession was that Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born at Ajaccio the following year, was a citizen of France. During the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the isle was twice held by the British.

After departing Bonifacio, cruise ships often offer scenic cruising of the Santa-Manza Gulf (Sant'Amanza) surrounded by limestone cliffs. Being quite windy, the waterway is perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Bonifacio tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Gulf of Santa Manza