Favourite place when you have a dayweek off?

I was born in Corsica and not much changes here, but every day I see something new. I live in a small village not far from the beach at Tizzano, about 14km from Propriano. I enjoy the wonderful smell of our many different trees, plants and flowers when I walk in the countryside. It’s good in winter too, but different. By car I can be at the beach or in the mountains within 20 minutes. Near us there’s a wild prehistoric site, Cauria, with standing stones. There’s a more famous site at Filitosa, but that’s more managed. The museum of prehistory at Sart ne is worth visiting.

When’s a good time to come?

April, May and June - nature is green, the weather is sunny but not too much, the maquis is in flower and by June you can swim in the sea.

Lunchtime treats?

I like the Paillote restaurant on the beach at Tizzano. It’s open from May to September. Also the Tizzamare for simple food: tapas of the sea, salad, local wine. The fish at Chez Antoine in Tizzano is good - especially le rouget. For children we order la mustela, which has no bones.

Evening delights?

Corsican specialities at Caramama in the old town in Sart ne. Cheese, meat and charcuterie are all good here. Typical dishes are les tripettes ... la sart naise (veal tripes in red wine) and courgettes farci au brocciu (a local sheep’s cheese).

Don’t miss

From the ancient watch tower of Campomoro you have a magnificent view of the Gulf of Valinco. The Lion of Roccapina - rocks that look like a lion and have a good beach nearby. From Bonifacio you can get a boat to take you along the coast for a day - you stop to eat lunch on a beach. I have a small boat so I know the coast - but when I went on this I was on holiday.

Visitors beware Corsica is hot, dry and not green in July and August and there are too many people, especially in Porto Vecchio.

Remember to trybuy

Wine: near my house there are two vineyards, Saparale and Fiumicicoli, producing red, white and rose Sart ne wine that’s won medals. Honey from small local producers is good. Try Pietra beer - it’s made with chestnuts - and liqueur de myrthe, made from myrtle berries Renata Rubnikowicz

Find out more

www.propriano.net

How to get there

Through Villas Worldwide (01756 751777, www.world-villa.co.uk) a week staying at Dicco, a modern villa sleeping four with pool and barbecue just outside Tizzano starts at pound;440 (subject to availability), not including flights.

Price to the planet

Offset the climate cost of a return flight to Figari from Gatwick or Manchester (0870 1900 737, www.thomsonfly.com, from pound;89.99 one way) for pound;5 per adult (www.climatecare.org).