Ajaccio

Boomtown and birthplace of Napoleon

Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica and today booming metropolis. At least compared to other cities on the island. Here there are high-rise buildings, new buildings and multi-lane roads. But in the midst of the big city atmosphere you can also find the original Corsica, with narrow old town streets and cozy cafes.

In the footsteps of Napoleon

Anyone visiting the city will quickly notice that Napoleon and the Bonapartes are associated with Ajaccio: Countless squares and streets are named after Napoleon, as are inns, restaurants and stores. Numerous statues and monuments adorn the streets and squares of the city. For Ajaccio is the birthplace of Napoleon I and was declared the capital of the island by him in 1811.

Although Napoleon was not always welcome - he once had to flee through a trapdoor in the middle of the night and after his fall his bust was thrown into the water - today, however, he is a popular advertising medium and on August 15 Ajaccio celebrates Napoleon's birthday with a big city festival including parades, shows and historical costumes.

In addition, his birthplace can be visited. The Maison Bonaparte is filled with numerous documents, portraits and memorabilia. Also in the town hall, the Salon Napoléonien houses an exhibition showing portraits and busts of the imperial family, orders, decorations, Napoleon's birth certificate and Napoleon's death mask.

Opening hours Maison Bonaparte:
Open daily except Mondays
October 1 - March 31 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
April 1 - September 30 10:12:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
last admission 30 minutes before closing

Salon Napoléonien:
Sept. 16-June 14 daily (on holidays and official occasions and Monday mornings) 9:45-11:45 a.m. and 2-4:45 p.m;
from June 15, Monday to Friday (except) 9-11:45 a.m. and 2-4:45 p.m.

Prices
Maison Bonaparte: admission 7 €
Reduction (18-25 year olds residing outside the EU, members of extended families, groups of 10 or more): €5
People up to 26 years of age residing in the EU, unemployed, people with disabilities and teachers with a Pass-Education: free admission
On the first Sunday of the month, the museum is open to everyone free of charge.

Salon Napoléonien: admission free

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/statue-napoleon-bonaparte-on-horse-diamant-505338871

There is also the family tomb of the Bonapartes in the Chapelle Impériale, built by Napoleon III. However, neither he nor his famous uncle Napoleon I are buried there. His parents, Cardinal Fesch (an uncle of Napoleon through whose art collection Napoleon III had the tomb built) and other relatives, however, have found their final resting place in the chapel.

Opening hours Chapelle Impériale
Winter: daily (except Sunday and Monday) 9:15-12:15 and 14:15-17:15.
Summer: daily (except Tuesday) 10-17:30, Wednesday 21:30-00:00.

Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

Ajaccio's cathedral on Rue Forcioli also plays a role in Napoleon's history: the cross-domed building, built between 1582 and 1593 in the Venetian Renaissance style, houses the baptismal font over which Napoleon I was baptized. In addition, a plaque testifies to the fact that he wanted to be buried here, should this not be possible in Paris. The cathedral also had great significance for Napoleon III: he wanted to expand and rebuild it, but had to flee before it came to that. Inside there are various art treasures and reminiscences that recall the Bonapartes.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10 am - 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday closed.
Tickets and prices: Free admission

Musée Fesch

The largest art museum on the island is also related to Napoleon's family: the collection of the Musée Fesch goes back to the art collection of Cardinal Fesch, who bequeathed it to his hometown, and shows Italian paintings, portraits of the Bonaparte family, but also Corsican art.

Opening hours Museum Fesch
November 1 - April 30 daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed Christmas and New Year's Day) May 1 - October 31 daily 9:15 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tickets and prices
Admission 8€
Reduction 5€
Groups 5€

Ajaccio outside the imperial heritage

Ajaccio does, however, offer a few things (other than its name) not associated with the famous French emperors. These include the city beach, a boulevard of brasseries and sidewalk cafes, and the city's pedestrian mall. On Rue Cardinal Fesch, small stores and boutiques invite you to browse. Behind the Hôtel de Ville, the market with local specialties, seafood, fresh fruit, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs takes place and is well worth a visit. The privately run Musée A Bandera tells of Corsica's history, and like many Corsican cities, Ajaccio is home to a citadel. The structure was built in 1492 and expanded in 1553. Used by the military until 2005, it can still only be viewed from the outside.

Directions

From the south, the T40 leads to Ajaccio. From the north and east, the city is best reached via the T20 inland. Often an approach from the east of Corsica via Aléria - here the T50 leads inland - is faster than an east-west connection via smaller roads.

Ferries to Ajaccio

Ajaccio has the largest and most important ferry port in Corsica. It connects the island with the rest of France, and there is also a route to Sardinia. There are crossings to Nice, Toulon, Marseille and Porto Torres (in Sardinia).
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