Location
France
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Plages du Ricanto et de Capitello
The Ricanto and Capitello beaches form the long sandy curve at the head of the Gulf of Ajaccio in southern Corsica. Ricanto (with the Tahiti beach) runs for almost 3 km south-east from the edge of Ajaccio along the Route du Ricanto, past Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte airport, to the river mouths below the Genoese Capitello tower, on the Porticcio side. The town end is busy and supervised in summer, with beach bars and rentals. Beach guides consistently say the far end is used by naturists: from beyond the airport runway to the foot of the Capitello tower, plus a few small coves just north of the tower. This naturist section is quieter and mostly sand with some pebbles, but the setting is less wild than many Corsican beaches, with aircraft landing behind the dunes and cargo ships offshore. The crowd in the naturist zone past the tower and rocks is reported to be mainly male, while the area near the Capitello car park is family-oriented. The water is clear on calm days, and the gulf view towards Ajaccio is wide.
Getting there
From Ajaccio, follow the Route du Ricanto (towards the airport and Porticcio); free roadside parking runs just above the beach. The naturist end is a walk of a few hundred metres south-east past the airport. From the Porticcio side, take the N196 then the D55 for about 2.5 km, turn right and follow the road 700 m to the Capitello car park, then walk north past the tower. A beach mat gives wheelchair access at the town end in summer only.
What visitors say
Visitors appreciate the long sandy beach, easy free parking and views across the gulf, and say the far end towards the airport is quiet. The main drawbacks mentioned are aircraft noise and the urban, industrial backdrop of the airport and ships, which some feel spoils the charm. The area beyond the Capitello tower is described as mostly male, while the car park end is family-oriented.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
In France, nudity is not banned as such, but exposing oneself in a public place can be prosecuted as sexual exhibition (Penal Code art. 222-32); nude bathing is therefore safe only where it is authorised or clearly tolerated. Nude bathing at the airport end of Ricanto and around the Capitello tower is long-standing practice reported by beach guides, but we found no municipal decree or tourist-office confirmation (checked 2026). Lifeguards cover only the Ajaccio end in summer.
Naturism at Plages du Ricanto et de Capitello sits under France's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 41.9045, 8.7990
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in France
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude area?
At the south-east end of Ricanto beach, beyond the airport, up to the Capitello tower, and in small coves just north of the tower.
Is parking free?
There is free roadside parking along the Route du Ricanto, plus a car park at Capitello.
Is there a lifeguard?
Only at the Ajaccio end in summer. The naturist end is unsupervised.
Is it noisy?
Yes, at times. The beach runs beside Ajaccio airport, and planes land close by.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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