Désert des Agriates & Plage du Loto
The Agriates Desert is 160 square kilometres of uninhabited maquis and rocky hills in northern Corsica, protecting a coastline that has no road access — which is precisely why Plage du Loto, its finest beach, remains one of the least-spoiled stretches of sand in the entire Mediterranean.
Getting There & the Beach
The only practical way to reach Loto is by boat from Saint-Florent, a 15-minute crossing on a regular navette (water taxi) that runs from June to September. You can also kayak or paddleboard the 4 km crossing, which many visitors do as a morning adventure.
The beach itself is a kilometre of white sand backed by dunes and maquis, with water that shifts from pale jade to deep turquoise depending on depth and light. There is no bar, no sun-lounger rental, no Wi-Fi — just the wind and the sea.
Arrive on the first boat (usually 9 a.m.) to claim a spot under the tamarisk trees at the western end, which provide the only natural shade. By midday in August the beach fills, but it never reaches the sardine-tin density of the Côte d'Azur.
The Agriates Hinterland
For those who want more than a beach day, the Tra Mare e Monti Nord trail crosses the Agriates over two days, with a gîte d'étape at Ghignu offering basic dormitory beds and a communal dinner. The landscape — all prickly pear, asphodel and silence — feels like a different planet from the resort coast.
Saint-Florent itself is a charming small port with good fish restaurants and a Genoese citadel worth an evening stroll; it makes a comfortable base for exploring the Agriates by day.
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