Ajaccio France, established by Genoans in 1492, is the capital city of the island of Corsica, and famous especially for being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Corsica has been a part of France since 1780, when Genoan Republic sold the island to France (as a response to the local population’s efforts for independence).
On the other hand, Ajaccio has been the capital city of Corsica since 1811, from a decree by Napoleon during his reign.
Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio in 1769, and today, his four-story house of birth is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city.
Napoleon’s name and the associations from his reign are very visible throughout the city, including street names and the city’s public statues.
As a Southern European and a Mediterranean city, tourists come here for the pleasant climate, for the chance to enjoy Corsica’s beautiful nature, and for the maritime life that the region enjoys.
Many continental tourists from France come to the city for the weekend with the ferries, which travel here from Marseille, Toulon, and Nice.
Thanks to its beautiful landscape and year-around pleasant weather, Corsica has gained a lot of friends from tourists who come here for mountain biking and to hike.
For these tourists, the island has several long and many shorter routes…the longest and most famous of which is the “Mare e Monti”, route G20, which goes through the entire island, taking a total of 15 days to walk through.
From Ajaccio, it is easy to visit some of the other cities and villages, thanks to the island’s compact size.
To travel the island, you can choose Chemins de fer de Corse (Corsica Railways), traveling a picturesque mountain route, connecting Ajaccio to the villages of Corte, Bastia and Calvi.
As for buses, which depart from Ajaccio’s Gare Routiére station, you can use them to get to some of the smaller villages in Corsica, such as the coastal village of Porto, on the Western side of the island.
The cathedral of Ajaccio which is also known as Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption d’Ajaccio, was completed in 1593, and Napoleon Bonaparte was baptized in this very church in 1771.
Ajaccio Bus and Harbor Terminal
Ajaccio bus and harbor terminal offers ferry connections to Italy and France, as well as bus routes to villages within Corsica.
Musée Fesch, located within the Palais Fesch in Ajaccio, offers a collection of 14th – 19th century European art.
Fontaine des Quatre Lions fountain in Ajaccio is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city, portraying Emperor Napoleon, surrounded by four lions.
Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon’s birthplace in Ajaccio, is a four-story, centrally located museum building, documenting Bonaparte family’s life in Corsica.
Salon Napoleonien in Ajaccio is a museum (open since 1830) within the city hall, showcasing events and successes from Napoleon Bonaparte’s life.
Napoléon et Ses Frèrès is a monument in Ajaccio, portraying Napoleon Bonaparte and his brothers.
Grotte Napoleon is a monument in Ajaccio, build to honor Ajaccio-born Emperor Napoleon, at a location, where the young Napoleon used to hide into a nearby cave.
Corsica ferries are available from French harbor cities Marseille, Toulon and Nice, and from Italian ports of Savona, Genoa, and Livorno.
Among the choices for hotels in Ajaccio are Hôtel Napoléon, Relais Mercure, as well as Hôtel Castel Vecchi.
Saint Roch church in Ajaccio is a Neoclassical architecture style building from 1897.
Citadelle d’Ajaccio, the fortress of Ajaccio, has a history going back to the 12th century, and a Genoan fortress called ‘Castel Lombardo’.