Grotte de Saint-Antoine

Useful Information

Location:	At the foot of the cliff below the Chapeau de Napoléon, right side of the harbour of Bonifacio. (41.3856084, 9.1488004)
Open:	no restrictions. Boat Tours: All year daily 9-18, every hour. [2023]
Fee:	free. Vision Sous Marine: Adults EUR 23.50, Children (13-17) EUR 17.50, Children (4-12) EUR 13, Children (0-3) free, Students EUR 20. Grottes, Falaises, Calanques: Adults EUR 18.50, Children (13-17) EUR 13, Children (4-12) EUR 10, Children (0-3) free, Students EUR 16. [2023]
Classification:	Karst cave Sea Cave Blue Grottos Cretaceous limestone
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided. Boat Tours: D=60 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte de Saint-Antoine. Guichet Thalassa, Parking du Port, 20169 Bonifacio, Tel: +33-495-73-01-17, Cell: +33-686-34-00-49. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Grotte de Saint-Antoine (Saint Anthony Cave) is a karst cave which was widened by the sea, at the foot of the cliff on the right side of the harbour of Bonifacio. The harbour is a long fjord, which is separated from the sea by a peninsula on which the town Bonifacio was built. The far end of this penisula is occupied by a fort for the protection of the harbour and the seat of the Gouverneur de Corse, which is today a museum.

The Le Gouvernail or Gouvernail de la Corse (Rudder of Corsica) is a cannon post located on the southernmost tip of theis peninsula. It was carved into the cliff face with an underground staircase of 168 steps connecting it to the fort above. A blockhouse was built at the top during World War II, but today all the military equipment is removed. It still offers a great view to the south towards Sardinia. While it is located right next to the cave entrance, the cave is not visible from this popular outlook. However, the outlook is visible from the boat when visiting the cave.

The cave is also known as Grotte Chapeau de Napoléon (Napoleon's Hat Cave). The reason is the triangular entrance portal, which actually resembles the hat of the emperor, the famous cocked hat.

This cave is open without restrictions and for free. As it is located at the sea it may be reached by boat or kajak. Boat Torus are offered by various operator, we have listed one of them. The tours of Guichet Thalassa start at the harbour of Bonifacio, turns west after leaving the harbour. The first stop is the Grotte du Sdragonatu which is entered, then it goes to Cala de Paraguana. Back at the harbour entrance it enters the Grotte de Saint-Antoine, then it follows the southern coast of the Bonifacio peninsula to the rock formations Grain de Sable. The tour takes an hour.