Things to Do in Ajaccio: The best places to visit in Corsican region

Ajaccio is the city of the Mediterranean Ocean, a French territory in Corsica. A port city on the western coast of the rugged island, it was French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte’s birthplace in 1769. His former house, Maison Bonaparte, now displays family heirlooms in a museum. The baroque Notre-Dame Cathedral dating from the 16th century, where Napoleon was baptized, contains paintings by Delacroix and Tintoretto. There are many interesting things to do in Ajaccio.

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Things to Do in Ajaccio

Here is the list of top things to do in Ajaccio
1. Napoleon History
2. Around Town
3. Palais Fesch Musée des Beaux-Arts
4. Pointe de la Parata
5. Route des Sanguinaires 
6. Plage de Capo di Feno

1. Napoleon History

Napoleon Bonaparte’s birth house is located on Rue St. Charles’ narrow street and is now a museum. Napoleon was born in 1769 and lived in Ajaccio until he was seven years old. Corsica is proud to be recognized as Napoleon’s hometown, and its image is everywhere: avenues, pubs, and hotels all carry the Napoleon or Bonaparte tag. There are places and monuments in his honour in the region, one of note is Napoleon’s monument and grotto at the top of Cours General Leclerc Ajaccio Corsica, at Place Austerlitz. Napoleon would have put a little kid in there. Place Foch, once the site of the medieval gate of the town, now houses the Town Hall and a “Napoleon’s Salon.” You can return Monday to Friday in the morning and afternoon so it’s unavailable on weekends. The famous statue of Napoleon as the first consul standing above the 4-Lion fountain is located at the Place Foch. You are in old Ajaccio with its tiny avenues, the cathedral and the birthplace of Napoleon after passing Place Foch. Please note the citadel is still occupied by the army and is not open here. It is one of the recommended things to do in Ajaccio.

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2. Around Town

Ajaccio is not that big and enjoys walking around easily. This is absolutely flat around the harbour, so you can always see the cruise ships arriving from Toulon, Nice or Sardinia from there. There are some gentle slopes and views of the seagoing up to the town. The central shopping street is the Rue du Cardinal Fesch, and the art gallery named after him. The Musée Fesch has a wonderful collection of European paintings, some labelling it as the most important French museum after the famous Louvre in terms of Italian paintings. The most important exhibits of the Museum are Italian Primitives, Roman Baroque Painting, and Napolitan Baroque Painting, which are one of the best things to do in Ajaccio that are worth a tour. Next to the museum is the Imperial Chapel, built about 1860, which houses not just the remains of Fesch but also the parents of Napoleon. Only the opposite is the Church of Russell, which is small but has many lovely decorations.

3. Palais Fesch Musée des Beaux-Arts

Cardinal Joseph Fesch, Napoleon’s brother, is credited for founding this museum of fine art, which is now home to the biggest collection of Italian paintings in France outside the Louvre. The elegantly designed exhibition includes paintings by artists such as Botticelli, Bellini, and Titian. There are famous Italian and Corsican artworks from the 17th-20th centuries, but it is the significant series of Napoleonic objects, including sculptures, that is granted pride of place there. It provides organized walks, painting classes, and creative seminars for those who choose to immerse themselves in the little bit more. t is one of the top things to do in Ajaccio for art buffs.

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4. Pointe de la Parata

Pointe de la Parata can always tie a spell over you, in a location where vast natural scenes are almost commonplace. Constructed on the edge of a series of robust craggy apexes that stretches offshore. It is the promontory of black granite that sets off Ajaccio’s Bay’s northern end. The foreland, reaching 55 m above sea level, is capped by a Genoese hill. It is designed as a portion of a network to protect the coast against pirate attacks by Barbary in the 1500s. Hit the nearest restaurant where you can stroll and have a better peek at the clock. You can set your feet as well to test the transparent seas. t is one of the top things to do in Ajaccio for nature lovers.

5. Route des Sanguinaires 

Away from the south coast of Ajaccio is a seaside path that leads to Pointe de Parata. This introduces the “Ajaccienne Corniche,” a raised, winding path that touches the rugged outline of the jagged coastline. The sights to be admired here are the Sanguinaires Islands, and the best beaches of Ajaccio, such as Plage de Marinella. On the road is the Saint-Antoine Graveyard, where the legendary Corsican singer Tino Rossi was laid to rest. Visitors will make a quick trip via the Sentier des Cretes, albeit on foot only. They should scamper on top of the coastal members, along with the plough. It is one of the top things to do in Ajaccio since it is in a place full of flowering myrtle, prickly pears, and pines for breathtaking sea views.

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6. Plage de Capo di Feno

There are more than 20 beaches in or close Ajaccio, which makes beaches one of the top things to do in Ajaccio.  They are often bubbling sides with calm seas, white sand and clear. Visitors may be forced to abandon the crowd and travel 10 km north of Pointe de la Parata to the south. Plage de Capo di Feno offers plenty of natural scenery, including woodland and an offshore sandbar where surfers stop. This spot isn’t for recreational swimmers, but on the light beaches, tourists will sunbathe and play in the sea. To appreciate the Plage de Cap di Feno, it’s just great to stay with blankets at an evening when the sunsets are unmatchable.

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Plan your trip with Pickyourtrail.

Ajaccio, the name of France derives from the Roman Adjaccio which was regarded as a winter resting spot for the shepherds who came down from the mountains in the winter to store provisions which sell their products. It is, of course, well regarded today as Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace, but there are a ton of interesting things to do in Ajaccio. Plan your trip the help of reputed travel agency Pickyourtrail. Log on to www.Pickyourtrail.com and with the help of your expert guides start planning your trip or check out the preset France packages. Alternatively, leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.

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