Natural landscapes of the Riva Bella site

The protection and preservation of natural landscapes is a priority at Riva Bella Thalasso...

The exceptional nature of the Riva Bella site in Corsica (dune, beach, thicket, saltwater lagoon, presence of wildlife, endemic flora) requires constant efforts to guarantee the protection of these natural species.

As co-manager of the Terrenzana lagoon with the French Coastline Conservatory in Corsica (CLFC), Riva Bella is committed to actively preserving and protecting sites: reducing the impact of tourist activities by prioritising sustainable tourism, raising public awareness to the issues of ecotourism in France, raising public awareness to the site's biodiversity as well as dune rehabilitation and revegetation campaigns.

Dune, beach, thickets and saltwater lagoon, a real patchwork of landscapes and ecosystems to be discovered!

The Terrenzana saltwater lagoon occupies the southern part of the Domaine de Riva Bella; the northern part is home to the holiday complex with accommodation, the campsite and infrastructures integrated into the thicket. To the west extends a vast stretch of wilderness and to the east lies the beach, bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Terrenzana saltwater lagoon

Terrenzana is a saltwater lagoon and therefore is not home to mosquito colonies. Furthermore, the presence of geckos as well as numerous batrachians in the domain, which feed on the mosquitoes tend to lower their numbers.

The lagoon, which on occasion connects to the sea, forms an important habitat for wildlife. It has kept its natural form and is protected from significant pollution. Its flora and fauna provide us with an insight to the region's former natural landscape before modernisation.

The Corsican thicket, known as the maquis

The maquis is a very dense formation of plants that are not as tall as a forest and mainly comprised from drought-resistant species. Typical of the Corsican and southern French countryside, it is formed from many different species of plant (arbutus unedo, myrtus communis, cistus, erica arborea, quercus ilex, pistacia lentiscus...).

Along the coastline and on the hotter slopes, combinations of the maquis, garrigue (helichrysum, lavandula, rosmarinus, thymus...) and exotic flora (ficus-indica, agave americana, aloe, eucalyptus, globulus citrus medica...) can be seen.

The dune

The dune is home to a wide range of vegetation (lotus cytisoides, anthemis maritima, crucianella maritima, medicago marina, sporobolus pungens, otanthus maritimus...) as well as juniperus oxycedrus, endemic to Corsica, which grows in the sand.

These endemic or wild species must be taken care of. Please do not uproot or trample them as they help us fight against erosion, a problem with which we are all confronted.