Flying drones in Corsica: zones, paperwork and contacts

Who it is for

• Companies, local authorities, coastal towns and protected-area managers commissioning drone work in Corsica
• Professional remote pilots from mainland France or abroad preparing a mission on the island
• Production companies and agencies organising a Corsica shoot, often in high season

What this guide does not do: This guide does not replace the day's Géoportail map, aeronautical information (NOTAM, AIP SUP) or seasonal préfecture orders · It grants no authorisation and guarantees none, especially for nature reserves · It does not cover the basics of the EU rules (categories, training): see the general guide

Contents of the complete guide

1. What is different about flying in Corsica (free extract below)
2. Aerodromes, control zones and military airspace
3. Permanent prohibited zones and sensitive sites
4. Reserves, park, coastline and mountains
5. Main towns, landmark sites and decision table
6. Prior notification and authorisations: the process step by step
7. Events, wildfire season and temporary restrictions
8. Regional checklist and official sources

Included: 13 checklist items and 4 decision or reference tables.

Introduction

This regional edition is for anyone planning or commissioning a drone flight in Corsica: companies, local authorities, municipalities, protected-area managers, production companies and professional remote pilots, whether based on the island or coming over for a job, including operators from outside France. It gathers what is specific to Corsica: four commercial airports and a military air base on a fairly small island, nature reserves among the strictest in France, a regional nature park covering roughly half the territory, high-mountain terrain and a wildfire season that reshapes the airspace for several months a year.

How to use it: chapter 1 gives the overview; the later chapters are for when you prepare a specific mission. The "place → constraint → formality" table (chapter 6) and the checklist (chapter 8) are designed to be printed and taken into the field.

Up to date as of 30 September 2026. Airspace zones, reserve rules and seasonal orders change: before every flight, the drone restriction map on Géoportail and the aeronautical information published by the SIA are the reference.

What is different about flying in Corsica

The rules are those that apply across France: EU Regulation 2019/947, open and specific categories, 120 m maximum height, standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02 (the French national scenarios S1, S2 and S3 can no longer be used since 1 January 2026), and prior notification to the préfecture for flights over populated areas. What changes in Corsica are eight realities on the ground.

1. Two departments, two préfectures

Since 2018 the Collectivité de Corse has combined the region and the two departments, but the State still has two préfectures: Corse-du-Sud (Ajaccio, also the regional préfecture) and Haute-Corse (Bastia). Notification of a flight over a populated area goes to the préfecture of the department where the flight takes place. A roving mission (coastal tour, island-wide feature) may require both.

2. Four commercial airports and an air base

Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari each have a control zone, and air base 126 Solenzara sits on the east coast. Relative to the island's area, that is a high density: much of the inhabited coastline falls under an aerodrome-related height restriction.

3. Nature reserves where drones do not belong

The Scandola and Bouches de Bonifacio (Strait of Bonifacio) nature reserves regulate overflight in their founding decrees. At Scandola, the decree bans low-level overflight of the land area; in practice, no professional filming job can be considered there without an exceptional authorisation from the manager, for scientific or management purposes. Other reserves (Cerbicale islands, Finocchiarola islands, Biguglia lagoon, Tre Padule de Suartone) have their own rules.

4. A regional nature park over about half the island

The Corsica Regional Nature Park does not impose a general overflight ban, but its official position on drones recommends contacting the park before any monitoring or filming mission, and calls for avoiding any disturbance of sensitive wildlife (golden eagle, bearded vulture, mouflon).

5. Wildfire season

From late spring to autumn, fire risk shapes activity: forest areas closed by préfecture order, water bombers and helicopters flying very low, temporary zones around fires. A drone near a fire can ground the firefighting aircraft: it is an absolute no, and a real criminal risk.

6. High mountains a few kilometres from the sea

The terrain rises above 2,700 m. The 120 m limit is measured from the closest point of the Earth's surface: in a steep valley or along a ridge, that takes real trajectory planning. Mountain winds (libeccio, tramontane, slope breezes) and mountain rescue helicopters add to the constraints.

7. Ports, citadels and villages in built-up areas

Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, L'Île-Rousse: the most requested locations are built-up areas (préfecture notification) and often port areas (port manager's agreement).

8. Seasonal lead times

The island's population rises sharply in summer; the services processing requests, site managers and emergency services are then under heavy pressure. For a July-August mission, start the paperwork in spring.

Frequently asked questions

How do I receive the guide?

Right after payment you are redirected to the complete guide's page. Bookmark it, or print it to PDF (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P, “Save as PDF”). Stripe also emails you the receipt.

Do I get an invoice?

Yes: Stripe generates the invoice and emails it. You can enter your company name and VAT number at checkout.

Is the guide kept up to date?

Yes. The guide's page is updated when the rules change; your access stays valid and you always read the latest version.

Does this guide replace the official texts or a training course?

No. C-DRONE is neither the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) nor a training organisation: the guide explains and organises the paperwork, with links to the official sources, which alone are authoritative.

Other guides

All regulation guides →

Free articles on the topic

• Drone Services in Corsica: Nature Reserves, Wildfires and Coastal Heritage in France's Most Restricted Island

By purchasing, you request immediate access to the digital content and acknowledge that you lose your right of withdrawal (French consumer code, article L221-28, 13°). Questions before buying: devis@c-drone.fr.