La Chiappa Naturist Resort in Corsica, France: Review

Corsica always finds a way to surprise us, even though we have visited several times before. But truth to be said, the previous times we hadn’t seen much more of the place than the Linguizzetta coast. As it’s home to Corsica’s most famous nude beach, why would we bother venturing further along the coast? Well, because we’re curious.

A place that had been on our bucket list for a while was La Chiappa, in the south of the island. It’s one of the largest naturist resorts in Corsica, but for a long time remained a black spot on our map. That was about to change. It was time to head over there and see what it’s all about. Did we mention already that Corsica always finds a way to surprise us?

La Chiappa is located on the southeast tip of Corsica, in a sheltered bay on the edge of the Bonifacio protected area. It feels pleasantly remote once you are inside, but its location so close to Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio also makes it a great base for exploring some of the most famous corners of the south.

For most visitors, the easiest route is flying into Figari–Sud Corse Airport (FSC) and picking up a rental car, with a drive of roughly 45 minutes to the resort. Coming by ferry with our own car is also very straightforward. Porto-Vecchio has connections from the French and Italian mainland, and from the port it’s about 15–20 minutes to La Chiappa.

Bastia and Ajaccio can work too, but they usually mean a much longer drive of around three hours to reach the Porto-Vecchio area. Taxis for airport transfers are possible if you don’t want to drive, or you can take public transport to Porto-Vecchio and organise private transportation from there.

Accommodation-wise, La Chiappa can be divided into two parts. On one side is the camping area, stretched along the coast. On the other side is the rental village with bungalows and villas tucked into the forest on the hillside. The split is not a hard border so much as a gradual shift.

Camping here feels a bit like wild camping, as the pitches are not boxed in by tall hedges but only roughly defined. You can choose between waking up with the sea practically at your doorstep or hiding between the trees where it is cooler and quieter.

The rental side is the bigger chunk of the resort, with around 230 accommodations. The range is wide, with small all-in-one bungalows for simple stays, larger units if you like more room, and proper villas that sleep up to six people in three bedrooms. What surprised us is how spacious most rentals are. Even the smaller units tend to feel roomier than we expect from a campground-style resort. All units come with cooking facilities and private sanitary.

Because the resort sits on a hill, many of the rentals face toward the sea and catch at least a slice of the view. It is a classic Corsican combination, living in a forest with the sea in the near distance.

According to French standards, La Chiappa is a three-star camping resort. We once made a video about what these stars mean, if you’re interested, but in the end, they don’t say much. Once you’ve seen the variety of activities and facilities at La Chiappa, everyone will agree that this can be no less than a five-star experience.

Let’s kick off with the typical resort facilities, there’s tennis, volleyball, table tennis, and obviously jeu de boule. There’s yoga in the morning, massages throughout the day, and pottery if you want to be creative. Okay, not really mind-blowing for now, right? Let’s level up.

Mini-golf is not very common at naturist resorts, and how about a full-blown surf centre with windsurfing, paddleboarding, and even catamaran sailing? How about an on-site dive shop that can take experienced divers on fun dives or let non-experienced divers take classes? How about an actual horse ranch organising tours around the resort and the surroundings?

Then there’s not one but two swimming pools, which is unique for coastal resorts in Corsica, and there are also two large sandy beaches along the rocky coast, so you can comfortably sunbathe and easily get into the water. And this was just what we saw when we visited the resort in early October, when La Chiappa had started slowing down for the end of the season.

The two snack bars were already closed, but the main restaurant was still running at full speed, and its huge seaside terrace quickly became one of our favourite spots in the resort. The menu is broad enough that no one has to negotiate, with meat dishes, seafood, pasta, pizza, burgers, and fresh local plates that make the choice hard from time to time. In the evenings, this is also where people get together for evening entertainment.

For self-catering, there is a small supermarket on site with the essentials. Don’t expect to find everything for your elaborate gourmet plan, but it is exactly what you need when you would rather stay in the resort bubble than go out into the clothed world.

If you’re into hiking, La Chiappa is large enough to keep you going for a few hours without having to think about clothes. But once you’ve seen every single trail and visited the lighthouse three times already, you might want to cover up to explore the nearby surroundings.

For a small adventure on foot, there is a hiking trail starting from the camping side that takes roughly half an hour and leads toward Tahiti Beach, which is often mentioned as one of the most picturesque beaches on Corsica.

For history, culture, and town energy, Porto-Vecchio brings you old town streets, with cosy shops, and that citadel feel so typical for coastal cities. Bonifacio in the south is the must-see for drama. This famous city is completely built on cliffs, making for an interesting setting and spectacular views.

For an official nude beach day outside the resort, Plage de Villata is the name to know. It’s located up the coast from Porto-Vecchio and has a relaxed, respectful vibe.

What we loved a lot about La Chiappa is that “anything goes” mentality, in the best sense of the phrase. The options are there, but nothing feels mandatory. We can have a week built around the nude beaches and the pools, or we can stack our days with diving, windsurfing, horse riding, yoga, and pottery. Both versions are perfectly acceptable.

This also makes La Chiappa a great place for families or groups of friends with mixed energy levels. The active members can disappear on a surfboard or with an oxygen tank, while the others spend the day working on their tan.

We also liked how large the domain feels. Even when it is busy, it does not feel claustrophobic. There is always another path, another stretch of coast, another quiet bench under trees. So if you like being in nature, La Chiappa definitely is a great match as well.

The season at La Chiappa roughly runs from April to October, with mid-June to mid-September considered the high season. This is also when all facilities are open, and all activities are running and when you can expect a vibrant vibe.

The shoulder seasons are quieter and perfect for those looking for a more relaxed vibe. Throughout the whole season, the weather is generally naturist-friendly, and since La Chiappa is located in a sheltered bay, the water here tends to stay calm and inviting even when it gets a bit windy.

The best ways to book at La Chiappa are:

What are the food options, and can you be naked?
As mentioned earlier, there’s one large restaurant and two smaller ones, especially the main restaurant has a variety of dishes covering most people’s needs and likes. On the terrace, the dress code is generally whatever the weather suggests, which is typically nude throughout the day and on very warm evenings. Inside, most people choose to get dressed. But then again, the main reason why people eat inside is because it’s getting cold.

Is it a family holiday destination?
Absolutely, this resort has lots of options to keep the whole family busy.

What’s the weather like during your stay?
We were at La Chiappa during the first days of October. Throughout the day, we had warm sunny weather, excellent for swimming or sunbathing, but not as hot as in the heat of summer. In the evenings, it got a bit chilly after dark in the sense of “time to put on a hoodie”.

What’s the wifi situation?
Not the whole 67 hectares of resort are covered, but there are several points in the central area and in the restaurant with decent speed wifi.

Can you camp right on the beach?
That depends on how you define “beach”. You can camp right at the coast, but in the rocky parts of the coastline. On the sandy beaches, you cannot camp.

Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are allowed in the resort, but they are not allowed on the sandy beaches.

Does the staff speak English?
The staff members we met and the ones you’re likely to encounter as well, like the people from the reception desk and restaurant, all spoke English.