541 – Scandola Nature Reserve

Card no 541 – Martine 

Scandola Reserve 

Country Card Sent From: France 

Place that Card Sender Lives: Corsica 

Date Received: 10th May 2013 

Distance Travelled: 942 miles 

Time Taken: 12 days 

The Scandola Nature Reserve (19.19 km²: 9.19 km² land; 10 km² marine), established in December, 1975, is located on the French island of Corsica. The park and reserve has been recognized by the United Nations as a Natural World Heritage Site, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. The Scandola Reserve is situated on the central western coast of Corsica between Punta Muchillina and Punta Nera and includes Cape Girolata and Cape Porto. In 1930, a law was passed prohibiting destruction or modification within Corsica Regional Park. Scandola Nature Reserve is strictly protected in order to return the area to its natural state.

Pilgrims descended from the austere and wild Aubrac plateau towards the Lot valley and a major stop: Conques. In their thousands, they flocked to the Via Podiensis in search of their inner self.  At the end of the trail, the superb mediaeval village of Conques and its abbey-church with its splendid tympanum, which remains one of the most important centres of art and spirituality in the western world.