Le Francesche beach in Capoliveri, Island of Elba

On the southern side of the Island of Elba, within the large mining area of Monte Calamita, there are some beaches and tiny coves that are among the most rugged and deserted in Elba simply because they are not near any town centres, they are difficult to get to, the area around them has clearly been influenced by the mining activity of the past and there are no buildings nearby.

Le Francesche is the first beach you come to on this side of Elba. It is about 130 metres long and about 65 metres at its widest point, it is set like a jewel in front of rocky cliffs and consists mostly of dark sand that sparkles in the sun mixed with stones of different colours and sizes.

The dark, sparkling sand plus the view of the mineral extraction machinery of the past used in Calamita mine, on the left hand side of the beach, all give its mining origins away, and the beautiful, almost magical contrast of the colours therein, what with the light coloured grey and white stones that make up the beach and the turquoise, crystal clear sea, make it unique.

The beach is easy to get to if you go by sea and it is almost always deserted even during the summer. Mostly winds from the south blow there.

How to get to Le Francesche beach

The easiest way to get to the beach is by sea. There are a lot of paths and tracks along the coast that you can either walk or cycle along but you might find it somewhat difficult and rather challenging.