La Méridionale

Who they are

La Méridionale is a Marseille-based ferry company founded in 1931 with a long history on the Corsica routes. It was owned by the logistics group STEF from 1992 and was bought by the shipping group CMA CGM in May 2023. It operates car ferries between Marseille and Corsica under the same public-service delegation (DSP) as Corsica Linea, awarded by the Collectivité de Corse for 2023 to 2029.

Under that contract La Méridionale runs half of the Marseille–Ajaccio sailings and all of the Marseille–Porto-Vecchio sailings. The public remit gives the operation a character distinct from a purely commercial ferry company: the emphasis is on reliable year-round connectivity rather than maximising yield. The company also sails from Marseille to Tanger Med in Morocco.

Network and routes

La Méridionale's Corsica services all leave from Marseille. Ajaccio, the island's capital on the west coast, is shared with Corsica Linea, with the two companies splitting the sailings. Porto-Vecchio in the south-east is La Méridionale's own public-service route, with about three sailings a week, and is the natural arrival port for Bonifacio, the beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, and the Alta Rocca.

Crossings are overnight: evening departure from Marseille, morning arrival in Corsica. Marseille–Ajaccio takes around 11 hours and Marseille–Porto-Vecchio about 12 to 14 hours. The reverse direction mirrors this pattern.

Under the previous contract La Méridionale served Propriano, but since 2023 Propriano has been a Corsica Linea route, swapped for Porto-Vecchio. For Bastia, L'Île-Rousse or Propriano from Marseille, book Corsica Linea.

Fleet and on board

La Méridionale's current ships, including Piana and Girolata, are overnight ro-pax ferries with vehicle decks below and passenger facilities above. Two new ships are on order for Corsica: Alba Nova for Marseille–Ajaccio, due in spring 2027, and Azura for Marseille–Porto-Vecchio a few months later. Each will carry 935 passengers in 274 cabins, with hybrid LNG-electric propulsion and large batteries.

Passenger accommodation covers a range of cabin grades, and lounge seating is available for those not booking a cabin. On-board amenities include a restaurant and a bar. The crossing is well suited to overnight travel: board in the evening, have dinner, sleep, and wake up in Corsica.

Vehicle decks accept cars, campervans and motorbikes.

Booking and tips

Book vehicle space on La Méridionale as early as possible for the summer season; July and August sailings in particular fill up. Passenger-only tickets are easier to find, but specific cabin grades sell out before general seating does.

The Porto-Vecchio route is a useful detail to know: if your Corsican destination is the south-east of the island (Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio, the Alta Rocca), arriving at Porto-Vecchio saves a long drive from Bastia or Ajaccio. Check the sailing days, as frequency is lower than on the main routes.

Shoulder-season travel in May, early June and October offers the most relaxed experience: good weather on arrival, easy vehicle booking, and quieter crossings. The public-service contract keeps La Méridionale sailing year-round, so winter trips to Corsica are feasible even outside the commercial peak.