Greeks
were the first to discover the area that is now Ajaccio, the renowned
birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Set
on a sunny bay surrounded by citrus groves, olive trees, and vineyards,
Ajaccio is bursting with history and cultural diversity.
Diversions
The
imposing hexagonal Citadel located on wide promontory over the city dominates
cruisers’ first glimpse of Ajaccio. Visitors
are often surprised by the ordinary outward appearance of Maison Bonaparte,
Napolean’s home in Ajaccio; however, Francophiles enjoy the two sumptuous
rooms that display his death mask and other memorabilia in the Town Hall’s
Napoleon Museum.
Visitors
to the Cathedral where Napolean was baptized find a beautiful Delacroix
painting and time for reflection before encountering a huge bronze statue of
Corsica’s favorite native son on the adjacent square.
At the heart of
the city, Place Foch is a beautiful oblong square shaded by palm trees and
surrounded by small restaurants. Travelers
savor a bit of respite here in view of the cooling fountain.
Shopping
Local
wines, olive oils, and French fashions top the lists of shoppers who head for
stores and boutiques along Cours Napoleon and Rue Cardinal Fesch.
Beaches
Saint-François
Beach is in the center of Ajaccio and cruisers find it a refreshing spot for a
dip in the cool clear Mediterranean waters.
Ajaccio is
famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Visit the Bonaparte family home and the
16th century church where he was baptized. Or, take a tour into the wild and
rugged outback countryside they call the maquis.
