Domaine de Riva Bella

The Domaine de Riva Bella is on the east coast of Corsica, in the commune of Linguizzetta, about 7 km north of Aléria, between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio. It covers 70 hectares between the Mediterranean and the Étang de Terrenzana, a lagoon protected by the Conservatoire du littoral, and runs alongside a sandy beach that can be reached directly, with no road to cross. On a clear day, the islands of Pianosa and Elba can be seen on the horizon.

Rated 4 stars, the site offers 199 pitches of 100 m² and 90 accommodation units: villas, bungalows, chalets, mobile homes and a canvas lodge for 2 to 7 people, some just 80 m from the sand. It has been a member of the France 4 Naturisme network since 1989 and holds the European Ecolabel as well as the Qualité Tourisme mark. Naturism is announced from 1 April to 5 November; for the rest of the year, the estate operates as a holiday village by the water.

As for opening, the establishment states that it is open all year round: accommodation, reception, animal park and hiking trails remain accessible in winter. Services are reduced, however: the restaurant and the thalassotherapy centre operate from Friday to Monday from early February to early April, then from November to 20 December. The exact dates of the quiet period should be confirmed with reception before booking.

The clientele is described as family-oriented, with couples, retirees and groups of friends. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and a dedicated fibre-optic connection makes it possible to work remotely from the accommodation and the pitches.

Hiking trails and llama park open all year; fitness from early February to 20 December; thalassotherapy and restaurant from Friday to Monday in February-March and from November to 20 December.

The estate stands out for its 500 m² thalassotherapy centre facing the sea, presented as the only one of its kind on a Corsican campsite. It offers seawater hydrotherapy, hammam, organic sauna, seaweed wraps, massages with Corsican essential oils and treatment programmes of 2 to 6 days; the water in the marine circuit is heated by geothermal energy. A free sauna, to be booked for a time slot, is open to residents from 4 pm to 8 pm. A hair salon completes the offer.

For meals, the seafront bar-restaurant serves home-made cooking, with breakfast, half board or full board. It operates every day from 1 April to 1 November, then from Friday to Monday at the start of the year and in autumn until 20 December. The grocery shop is open only from May to October. A launderette with washing machine, tumble dryer and ironing board is located near it, and a fridge can be rented for your pitch.

The renovated washrooms include children’s areas, baby baths, free dishwashers and access for people with reduced mobility. Motorhomes have service points for waste disposal and water filling. Wifi is free in the accommodation, reception holds guests’ mail, and cars, e-bikes and mountain bikes can be rented by the hour or by the day. There is no conventional swimming pool: the water is at the beach and the marine circuit.

The beach takes up most of the summer days, with shallow water suitable for young children. A kids’ club takes children aged 4 to 14 in July and August, yoga classes follow the same calendar and archery is available from June to October. A fitness programme run by a sports coach runs from early February to 20 December, making it one of the few supervised activities available off-season.

In the evening, music and dance nights or singalongs to Corsican guitar liven up the estate from June to September. Creative activities such as watercolour painting, a free-access library and a TV lounge with board games fill the quieter afternoons.

On site, you can visit the llama park, home to llamas since 1989 on about ten hectares of maquis, and follow the hiking trails, open all year. In the surrounding area, the Étang de Terrenzana is home to flamingos and swans, and Aléria, the ancient capital of Corsica, is 7 km away. The estate also suggests trips to Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio, Corte, the Castagniccia or Calvi, with bikes and cars rented on site.