The Sanguinaires islands, the other light of the Bay of Ajaccio.
From Ruppione, the Parata and the Sanguinaires make an unforgettable evening outing.
An iconic outing from the south shore.
The Sanguinaires islands are among the landscapes instantly associated with Ajaccio: rocks, the Parata tower, open sea and the red evening light. From Villa Iché-Poggi they make a lovely half-day trip, or a bigger outing combined with Ajaccio.
You can head into the city centre, visit the old town or Maison Bonaparte, then drive on to the Parata to walk and wait for the light. Depending on season, weather and availability, you can also choose a boat trip.
Ajaccio without stress.
The Porticcio–Ajaccio shuttle boat takes you to the Tino Rossi harbour without having to look for parking. The crossing itself becomes part of the holiday, with the Bay of Ajaccio all around you.
In the evening, coming back to Ruppione has a special charm: after the city, the rocks and the wind, you find the house again, the beach opposite and the calm of the south shore.
The Sanguinaires in pictures
The road, the point, the islands and the evening light deserve more than one photo.
An outing to plan around the season.
There are several ways to enjoy the Sanguinaires. In the late afternoon, the walk to the Parata lets you enjoy the low light and the rocks taking on warm colours. For a full day, you can combine Ajaccio, Maison Bonaparte, the market, the Tino Rossi harbour and the Sanguinaires road.
From the south shore, the Porticcio–Ajaccio shuttle boat is a pleasant option. It avoids some of the parking hassle and turns the journey into a holiday moment. You arrive by the harbour, walk around the city, then carry on to the viewpoints or boat trips.
Boat trips add another dimension. Depending on what is available and the weather, you can choose a sunset cruise, a trip around the gulf or a longer excursion to other sites. The local guide gathers several ideas to explore these options.
In the evening, coming back to Ruppione has a very simple charm. After Ajaccio, the boats and the rocks, you find the villa, the beach opposite and the calm of Pietrosella. This balance between big landscapes and a house by the sea is what makes the stay special.
Why the Sanguinaires matter during a stay at Ruppione.
The Sanguinaires islands are often associated with Ajaccio, but they are just as rewarding for holidaymakers staying on the south shore. From Villa Iché-Poggi they become an evening outing, a counterpoint to the calm of Ruppione. You leave the beach in front of the house, head to Ajaccio or the Sanguinaires road, and find a more mineral, open landscape, with the Parata tower, the dark rocks and that light which turns red as the sun goes down.
This alternation gives your stay its depth: morning at Ruppione, afternoon towards Ajaccio, evening facing the Sanguinaires, then back to the villa. It shows the value of the location: you sleep in peace, facing the beach, while keeping access to the great landscapes of the Bay of Ajaccio.
Ajaccio, shuttle boat and heritage.
The outing can start in Porticcio with the shuttle boat to Ajaccio. When timetables and weather allow, it is a very pleasant way to arrive in town: you avoid some traffic, arrive by the harbour, and the crossing is already an experience. Once in Ajaccio, you can walk through the old town, visit Maison Bonaparte, stop at the market or the Tino Rossi harbour, then continue to the Parata.
For week-long stays, the Sanguinaires can also be visited by boat, depending on available offers. The Corsica excursions section of the local guide links to a single platform to compare boat trips, sunset cruises, the Calanques de Piana and activities around Ajaccio and Porticcio.
Which apartments to enjoy Ajaccio and come back to peace and quiet?
Couples looking for a simple base can look at Codicerta or Vermentinu. Families wanting to combine beach, city and boat trips can compare Aleatico, Muresconu or Niellucciu. Larger groups will find in Sciaccarellu a home suited to shared days.
The real luxury of this plan is coming back. After the city, the harbour, the wind and the rocks, the villa becomes a seaside home again. You return to Ruppione, hear the beach again, drop your bags, and the stay slows back down.
See the area in pictures.
Sea, beach, maquis and the light of the south shore naturally accompany your days at the villa.
Pictures to inspire your trip
Here are a few photos taken around the Sanguinaires and Parata point, to give you a feel for this wild coast. These places are 30 to 40 minutes from Villa Iché-Poggi at Ruppione.
To plan your trip, see our local guide listing the best boat trips, shuttles from Porticcio and walks around Ajaccio. Our apartments facing Ruppione beach are the perfect base for these adventures.
Stay at Ruppione — 7 apartments facing the beach, book direct with no service fees.
See the apartments Local guide