Plants and wildlife on Corsica

Corsica is the greenest island in the Mediterranean. The dramatic differences in altitude create an exceptional variety of plants and animals. More than 2,800 species of trees, plants and flowers have been recorded, of which around 120 species and subspecies are found nowhere else on Earth.

The maquis: the fragrant heart of Corsica

More than 20 percent of Corsica's surface is covered by the maquis, the dense scrubland that gives the island its characteristic scent. The low maquis (up to about 500 metres) is relatively open, but the high maquis is virtually impenetrable, with shrubs and trees reaching up to six metres tall.

In the maquis you'll find cistus, heather, myrtle, strawberry tree and mastic tree, among others. The fragrance is overwhelming, especially after a rain shower or on warm summer days. Napoleon once claimed he could recognise his homeland with his eyes closed, purely by the scent.

Trees that shape the island

Corsica is home to several remarkable tree species:

The Laricio pine is the emblem of the Corsican mountains. These trees grow between 1,000 and 1,800 metres, can reach 50 metres in height, and some specimens are more than 800 years old.
The sweet chestnut was introduced by the Genoese and spread rapidly. Chestnuts are still used in local dishes including chestnut flour and beer.
The cork oak can grow 15 to 20 metres tall. Every ten years the bark is harvested for cork production. You'll find them mostly in the south.
The holm oak is often reduced to shrub form by frequent forest fires.
Along the coast, olive trees and agaves thrive, while eucalyptus lines the riverbanks.

Insider tip In spring, Corsica is a paradise for flower lovers. Notable species include yellow broom, the rock rose and the Illyrian iris, which is found only on Corsica and Sardinia.

Remarkable wildlife

Corsica's animal kingdom is surprisingly diverse. Many species are protected within the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse. Some notable residents:

The mouflon has lived on the island for eight thousand years, but is threatened with extinction. Around 500 individuals spend their summers high in the mountains and descend to lower elevations in winter to forage.
The wild boar lives in the maquis and forests. These omnivores are hunted mainly in winter and form the basis of many Corsican charcuterie products such as lonzu and coppa.
The osprey is a rare raptor, with around 20 breeding pairs on Corsica. In 1973, there were just three.
The bearded vulture has a wingspan of around three metres and soars above the highest peaks.
The Corsican nuthatch was only discovered in the late 19th century and nests in old Laricio pines.
Hermann's tortoise is one of the rarest reptiles in France, yet still fairly common on Corsica. It lives in the maquis and can reach 60 to 80 years of age.

In and around the sea

The waters around Corsica are home to around 150 fish species. The Corsican spiny lobster is particularly famous and considered one of the finest in the Mediterranean. The Corsican brook salamander, a unique lungless amphibian, lives along the shores of lakes and rivers. And good news: there are no dangerous snakes on Corsica.