An east-coast village that has stayed itself, with its square, its morning market and a beach five minutes from the villa.
The village
Sainte-Lucie de Porto-Vecchio — Santa Lucia di Portivechju in Corsican — is a village in the commune of Zonza, on the east coast of Corse-du-Sud. A few hundred people live here year-round and several thousand in August, yet it has escaped the concreting-over seen along parts of the coast.
You will find the essentials: a mini-market open seven days a week in season, a bakery with a morning queue, a pharmacy, a tobacconist and newsagent, a petrol station, a cash machine and a handful of restaurants serving fish and charcuterie from inland.
The beach
This is the villa's quiet advantage: you can go to the beach without taking the car. Ovu Santu is an east-facing fine-sand beach, sheltered by a small rocky headland, where the water deepens very gradually — which makes it one of the most reassuring beaches on the coast for children just starting out.
At the north end of the beach, the rocks make for good snorkelling: saddled bream, salema, sometimes an octopus in a crevice.
To do from the village
Ten minutes: the finest beach around, its island opposite and its beach bars. The sunset from the headland is worth the detour.
DiscoverTwenty-five minutes: the citadel, the old town, the salt pans and the way to the southern beaches.
DiscoverAn hour by the Zonza road: the island's most spectacular massif, its hikes and its natural pools.
DiscoverThe bakery is besieged between 8 am and 9.30 am in August: come early or order the day before. The mini-market is fine for topping up, but for a full shop for fourteen the supermarket at the entrance to Porto-Vecchio is better suited — and cheaper.
The market is held in the morning in season on the village square: that is where you find ewe's milk cheese, lonzu and maquis honey.
Frequently asked questions
Keep exploring
The bay, the white sand and the seafront restaurants.
The citadel, the salt pans, Palombaggia and Santa Giulia.
The massif, the hikes and the natural pools.
Boats, diving, canyoning, markets and tastings.
Airports, ferries, car hire and routes.
Book direct
Book direct with the owners: no commission, a single point of contact and a reply within 24 hours.
