Ajaccio (Corsican: Aiacciu) is the capital of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica.
This is a sun-kissed tourist town with frequent visits by cruise ships. It has a boardwalk along its attractive coastline, but its sky-high prices may detract occasionally from its wonderful weather.
Although the coastline of Ajaccio and its natural harbor was almost certainly visited many times in antiquity, the development of a proper city did not happen until the late 1400s when the Genoese built a citadel that still stands to this day and serves as a military installation for the French army.
After most of Corsica was conquered by the French in the 1700s, Ajaccio remained a Genoese territory until the late 1760s.
Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone di Buonaparte) was born in Ajaccio in 1769 just after the city became the capital of Corsica. Although from mostly Italian-Corsican heritage, Napoleon rose through the ranks of the French military to become the leader of France and subsequently Emperor. For a time he also ruled most of Europe.
Ajaccio was one of the last cities to become French in Europe, but it was the first French city to be liberated in 1943 following the fall of the Third Republic in 1940.
- Tourist office, 3 bd Roi Jérôme, +33 4 95 51 53 03.
- Napoleon's house. House where Napoleon was born. Now a museum.
- Cathedral. Church of Ste. Marie.
- Church of St Erasme.
- Citadel. The Citadel was founded in 1492. Its current Genoese appearance dates to some time after 1559. You can only admire the exterior, as it remains a military base out-of-bounds to the public.
- Harbour station.
- Musee Fesch, 50 rue du Cardinal Fesch. 14th- to 19th-century Italian art collection amassed by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch. Includes works by Titian, Raphael & Botticelli. .
- Filitosa. April-Oct 09:00 to sunset. Prehistoric (mostly Bronze Age) settlement with standing stones and small museum. Easiest visited from Ajaccio, but also an easy day-trip from Bonifacio or Porto Vecchio. Other notable standing stones in the area are at Palaggiu and Stanfari., children under 8 free.
Napoleon's house. House where Napoleon was born. Now a museum.
Cathedral. Church of Ste. Marie.
Church of St Erasme.
Citadel. The Citadel was founded in 1492. Its current Genoese appearance dates to some time after 1559. You can only admire the exterior, as it remains a military base out-of-bounds to the public.
Harbour station.
Musee Fesch, 50 rue du Cardinal Fesch. 14th- to 19th-century Italian art collection amassed by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch. Includes works by Titian, Raphael & Botticelli. .
Filitosa. April-Oct 09:00 to sunset. Prehistoric (mostly Bronze Age) settlement with standing stones and small museum. Easiest visited from Ajaccio, but also an easy day-trip from Bonifacio or Porto Vecchio. Other notable standing stones in the area are at Palaggiu and Stanfari., children under 8 free.
- Le 20123, 2 rue du Roi de Rome. Open every evening. Closed Mondays in winter. Simple dishes cooked in a traditional "grandmother style". Four course set menu,.
- Mani, 7 rue du Roi de Rome, +33 4 95 50 10 42. Sophisticated bistrot serving Corsican food with modern panache.
Le 20123, 2 rue du Roi de Rome. Open every evening. Closed Mondays in winter. Simple dishes cooked in a traditional "grandmother style". Four course set menu,.
Mani, 7 rue du Roi de Rome, +33 4 95 50 10 42. Sophisticated bistrot serving Corsican food with modern panache.
- Greece Greece, 6 Quai Napoleon, +33 49-521-9137.
- Portugal Portugal, 8 Place du Général de Gaulle, Residence Diamant 2, +33 49-550-3734. M-Sa 09:00-14:00, Sa Su closed.
- Switzerland Switzerland, 38, cours Lucien Bonaparte, +33 49-521-2843.
Greece Greece, 6 Quai Napoleon, +33 49-521-9137.
Portugal Portugal, 8 Place du Général de Gaulle, Residence Diamant 2, +33 49-550-3734. M-Sa 09:00-14:00, Sa Su closed.
Switzerland Switzerland, 38, cours Lucien Bonaparte, +33 49-521-2843.
Either head south towards Porto Vecchio or Bonifacio, or inland via Corte to points north.