In October 2023, a coordinated series of explosions rocked Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean, targeting mostly vacant second homes across 20 towns and villages. The attacks damaged 34 properties, ranging from under-construction residences to vacation homes, marking the latest escalation in a long-standing separatist campaign seeking greater autonomy or independence from France.

The National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), a paramilitary group advocating for island independence, claimed responsibility for the bombings. The FLNC, active since 1976, has a history of targeting second homes as symbols of outside influence and as part of its broader push to restrict property ownership to native Corsicans. The group issued a public warning to tourists and non-resident homeowners in June 2024, urging them to stay away from the island unless their national rights were recognized—a message underscoring persistent tensions between full-time residents and vacation-property owners.

Corsica’s separatist movement has been fueled by economic, cultural, and historical grievances. The island remains the poorest region of metropolitan France despite its booming tourism sector, which swells the population from approximately 365,000 year-round to three million in summer months. Second homes account for 37 percent of Corsican housing, rising to 50 percent in some coastal tourist areas. This dynamic has driven up property prices and rents, complicating housing access for locals who often live inland and commute for seasonal jobs.

In response to pressures for reform, the French Senate is scheduled to vote on a constitutional amendment recognizing Corsica’s distinct history, culture, and language. The measure would grant the island limited self-governing powers over issues such as urban planning and waste management. If passed, it would represent an unprecedented official acknowledgment of Corsica’s unique status within metropolitan France. However, many Corsicans and separatist groups argue that the proposal falls short, particularly because it does not address restrictions on property sales to outsiders—an issue central to the independence movement’s agenda.

Local political voices reflect a complex array of views. Moderate parties and many residents express support for greater autonomy but see full independence as unlikely. Conversely, groups like Nazione, which supports secession, reject the proposed amendment, fearing it would halt meaningful progress towards sovereignty for years.

Despite the threats and ongoing violence—including 15 separate arson or bombing incidents occurring since early 2024—the demand for second homes and tourism remains robust. Some property owners express apprehension about safety, while others remain unfazed or even unaware of local tensions. Real estate agents report a mixed response among prospective buyers, with some seeking reassurance and others seeming indifferent to the risks.

Corsica’s fraught relationship with mainland France is steeped in centuries of conflict, including a brief period of independence in the mid-18th century before the island was ceded to France by Genoa. Contemporary unrest traces back to the 1970s, when opposition intensified over government policies favoring non-Corsican ownership of prime land, especially after the French-Algerian War.

For individuals like Mona Wingate, who has family ties to Corsica but grew up abroad, the island’s challenges remain personal. Returning to her family’s olive mill in recent years, Ms. Wingate has worked to integrate into the local community despite past hostility linked to her background. Her experience illustrates the ongoing complexities of identity, belonging, and property on an island still grappling with its place within the French Republic.