The Scandola reserve, the only site in mainland France honored with this title, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As an integral part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, it extends over 900 hectares of land and 1000 hectares of sea. Beyond its flourishing underwater ecosystem, it hosts a rich avifauna, including peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and ospreys.
A Marine Landscape Sculpted by Volcanism
The iconic image of Scandola is undoubtedly that of its purple cliffs plunging into crystal-clear waters. These formations, carved out of porphyry, a red rock, bear witness to the peninsula’s past volcanic activity.
A Pioneering Marine Reserve in Corsica
Created in 1975, three years after the founding of the Corsican Regional Park in 1972, the Scandola marine reserve is the oldest on the island. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then, and only a few artisan fishermen have been granted a special permit to practice their activity in a designated area. Diving is prohibited.
François Arrighi, head of the heritage department of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, explains this choice by the geological specificities of the reserve, characterized by numerous faults and cavities. The preservation of these delicate formations was deemed incompatible with the presence of beginner divers. The presence of red coral (Corallium rubrum) at shallow depth, another characteristic of Scandola, also influenced this decision, at a time when this precious coral was often collected as a souvenir.
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