Travelstone: Ajaccio, Corsica

Ajaccio, Corsica France

Ajaccio is the capital of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, set on the island’s west coast. It’s best known as the birthplace of Emperor Napoleon, and his presence is felt everywhere – from street names and squares to buildings and restaurants. Napoleon repaid his hometown by giving it its first sewer system, planting eucalyptus trees to drain the marshes, and elevating Ajaccio to the capital of Corsica. Ajaccio’s centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. The main shopping street is rue du Cardinal Fesch, home to a museum displaying the art collection gathered by Cardinal Joseph Fesch. Beside the museum stands the Imperial Chapel, built around 1860, which contains the tombs of Fesch and Napoleon’s parents. At the end of the street you reach Place Foch, where the town hall stands. This pretty square, once the site of the medieval town gate, is lined with cafés and restaurants and features a statue of Napoleon as First Consul above the Four Lions Fountain. Beyond Place Foch you’ll find the cathedral and Napoleon’s birthplace, now a museum. The Cathedral of La Madonuccia, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, dates from the late 16th century. Its main altar was gifted to the city by Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon’s sister, who was baptised here in 1771. Ajaccio may be small, but it has a big heart and a strong sense of authenticity. Nature is never far away and, if you slow down and sink into the relaxed Mediterranean rhythm, you might just find yourself captivated by the place.

Recommended airport

Campo Dell Oro (AJA)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations

Ajaccio, Corsica, France

Ajaccio, Corsica France