Visit Ajaccio
On the west coast of Corsica, Ajaccio (population about 50,000) has wood covered mountains circling it to the rear, and the port and citadelle towards the sea, on the Gulf of Ajaccio. This combination means that Ajaccio remains mild even during the winter months - hence the town is popular with tourists for much of the year around due to its fine climate and sheltered position.
Ajaccio has its origins in a Roman town that was located on the hill just north of the present town, and a lot of ruins and artefacts have been uncovered from this earlier occupation.
Ajaccio's more recent claim to fame is as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte - this will not escape your attention on a visit to the town, as you pass the house where he was born - now the National Bonaparte Museum - the caves where he played, and statues of Napoleon and streets and places named in his honour. Perhaps the most impressive monument is the one in the Jardins de Casone.
Ajaccio Town Centre
The main centre of the town of interest to visitors is the 16th century citadel, and the region just to the west and north of the citadel. This region includes the Place Bonaparte and the renaissance cathedral, and continues up to Place Foch a little to the north. Note that it was in this cathedral, the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Misericorde, that Bonaparte was baptised (you can still see the marble font where it happened).
The centre of Ajaccio is based around the 16th century citadel (still in military use, so not open to the public), and spreads west and north of the citadel into the town - this part of Ajaccio includes the Place Bonaparte and the renaissance cathedral, and continues up to Place Marechal Foch a little to the north, and is the part that is of most interest to visitors.
The old town, around Place Marechal Foch, has narrow streets lined with attractive, typically Mediterranean, houses and is very picturesque. It is also here that you can see (and visit if you are so inclined) Napoleons birthplace. Note that it was in the unassuming cathedral, the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Misericorde, that Bonaparte was baptised.
There are a large number of cafes, bars and restaurants around Ajaccio, and it is in these that you will find the true town - the laid-back casual approach to life that Ajaccio seems to adopt so well. Place Foch especially is a very popular place to sit under shady trees and do some people-watching.
The rest of central Ajaccio merits an explore as well, to see the grand prefecture (local government office) and the Quartier des Etrangers ('foreigners quarter').
Fesch Museum
Located 200 metres north of Place Foch, the Fesch Museum has a highly regarded collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, originally collected by Napoleon's uncle.
Other highlights and places to visit near Ajaccio
- The walk that follows the hills out of Ajaccio (the Route des Cretes) is well worth following for the views across the town and coast (signposted, starts from the Bois des Anglais)
- Visit the lovely botanical gardens and olive groves covering more than 10 hectares around the Bonapartes country house at Les Milelli, 5km NW of Ajaccio
- The region outside the town has several highly rated beaches, including those to the south-west of the town around Capo di Muru.
- A popular boat trip that starts from Ajaccio is to visit the Isles Sanguinaires (best seen at sunset)
- Visit the villages of Porticcio, Bastelica, Zicavo
- Great views across the sea can be enjoyed from Punta Pozzo-di-Borgo and Pointe de la Castagna
- Head inland to escape from the tourists, admire some attractive scenery, and to visit the village of Eccica-Suarella
- Another site not to be missed is the prehistoric site at Filitosa, 40 kilometres south of Ajaccio.
See car hire in Ajaccio if planning a visit.
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