Top 10 Things To Do In Ajaccio

Top 10 Things To Do In Ajaccio

Whether you have a taste for outdoor activities, churches and cathedrals, monuments and statues, sights and landmarks or tours and sightseeing, Ajaccio promises quite a ride, in form of the different things you could do, that is as diversified as it gets.

Ajaccio is a Mediterranean port on the west coast of the island of Corsica. It is quite telling that its economy is made up largely on tourism! Its 50 peaks stretching over 2,000 metres has a lot to discover in between- bays, mountains, museums; here’s a list of the Top Ten Things to Do in Ajaccio.

1. Maison Bonaparte

Musée de la maison Bonaparte- by Sebring12Hrs- Wikimedia Commons

The first emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte is famed as the great military leader who rose to fame during the French Revolution. The Bonaparte family is famous in Ajaccio, France and the world. Maison Bonaparte is the Bonaparte ancestral home, now turned museum.

While the Bonaparte home suffered ransacking in 1793 leading to loss of its original furnishings and décor, you will find interesting displays and memorabilia. So revered is the Bonaparte lineage that the museum holds a glass medallion containing a lock of Napoléon’s hair!

If you visit Maison Bonaparte in the afternoon, you will be privy to an audio guide with explanations about the museum.

2. Salons Napoléoniens

Napoleon Totenmaske- by Ladislaus Hoffner-Wikimedia Commons

Salons Napoléoniens continues with the Bonaparte narrative- this is Ajaccio’s town hall turned gallery displaying memorabilia of the family as well as paintings and statues. Part of the collection was donated by the Bonaparte family, and other various donations and gifts – so massive are the collection that part of it is on show at a separate place, Musée Fesch.

You will enjoy paintings, sculptures and engravings featuring the Bonaparte family, Napoleonic material, divers works, 118 medals, two large paintings by Vernet and Pils, two bronzes by Barre and part of the Bacciochi collection.

3. Plage de Capo di Feno

Tour de Capo di Feno Corsica- by Aa77zz- Wikimedia Commons

This sparsely populated beach with clear waters is something out of a novel.

You can hire a sun- lounger and enjoy the view, or settle down at one of the restaurants or bars for lunch or a drink, as you wait for the unbelievable sunset views from this beach.

The 20 minutes or so from Ajaccio to Plage de Capo di Feno is worth it, whether you’ll drive there or take a hike to it.

4. Ajaccio Cathedral

Corsica Ajaccio Cathédrale interior- by Isiwal- Wikimedia Commons

Also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Ajaccio, this Cathedral is famed for being Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of baptism, making it a historical monument.

The church has seven side Chapels, each decorated according to its dedication. You will observe the intricate marble altar at The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, murals at The Chapel of the Madonna of Pianto, and a stucco altar and series of boxes representing the Glorious, Joyful, Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary of the Virgin at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary. The craft and workmanship in the various chapels are great to look at.

5. Lac de Tolla

Tolla Lac- by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT- Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy a day of canoeing, kayaking or paddle boating at Lac de Tolla, a man made lake found on a mountainous area of Ajaccio. Views of the lake from Tolla town are equally breathtaking. The winding roads with deep gorges and high cliffs make it quite picturesque. You are also welcome to take a dip here.

6. Monument commemoratif de Napoleon Ier

Corsica Ajaccio Place Austerlitz Napoleon- by Isiwal- Wikimedia Commons

You probably shouldn’t leave town without seeing this monument of Napoleon Bonaparte the great. He is celebrated in his city of birth, Ajaccio, as you probably might have noted during your arrival and stay. The Monument commemoratif de Napoleon Ier immortalizes Bonaparte on a large square in Austerlitz.

The monument stands on a powerful stone pyramid, with narrow stairs on each side leading up to it. You’ll find that the statue has a lot of information inscribed such as the engraved marble slabs that have Napoleon’s life, his rule and information on conquests.

If you persist to the top of the many stairs to the monument, you’ll discover the small wooded park that is said to have been Napoleon’s play area.

7. Plage d’Argent

Immerse yourself in the warm clear waters of Plage d’Argent and sink your toes in the white sandy beach. This beautiful beach is not too crowded, but expect quite a number of people especially on the weekends. The water is also largely calm, and quite shallow, giving room for you to wade far out.

You can drive for about an hour to the beach or go via speedboat and arrive within about 20 minutes. The speedboats are available at roughly 15 Euros per person.

8. Tête de Mort

Tête de Mort- by Pir6mon- Wikimedia Commons

You have to confirm for yourself whether the strange-looking boulder in Ajaccio does look anything like Lucifer’s head, as the local legend has it- not that you would be able to recognize it! Tête de Mort translates to “death’s head”.

A walk to Tête de Mort unveils groves of wild olive, mastic and Barbary fig, as well as distinct aromas of the maquis and the scent of myrtle flowers.

Tête de Mort has a dive site, where divers get to experience a variety of marine life. While there, you will have scenic views of the city and bay, making your early morning or late evening walk totally worth it.

9. Place Foch

Korsika Ajaccio Plaza Foch Monument Napoleon Bonaparte- by giggel- Wikimedia Commons

This historic market square has activity almost 24 hours a day, all year round. There is so much you can accomplish in a days’ visit here, without having to pay an entrance fee. Place Foch’s location allows you to view the boats and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and also gaze at the white façades of the buildings that surround it.

While at the square, sample Ajaccio’s jams, cheeses, spices, wines, snacks, refreshments and light dinners from the many food vendors found there. The square wouldn’t be complete without a Napoleon statue- this makes the center of the Four Lions Fountain.

A night visit to Place Foch changes the game; the area is illuminated and becomes stunning! This square is definitely one of the Top 10 Things To Do In Ajaccio.

10. Musée Fesch

Ajaccio musee Fesch- by Velvet- Wikimedia Commons

Musée Fesch is Ajaccio’s central museum of fine arts. As you may have guessed, it has an abundance of works of the Bonaparte lineage. However, you would be wrong to assume that’s all there is. The museum boasts 16th and 17th-century Italian paintings exhibited closely together, 17th- and 18th-century paintings and large canvases.

The museum was begun by Napoleon’s uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch, who had wished to found an Institute of Arts and Sciences in his hometown- he donated quite a number of his extravagant painting collection to the museum.

The Top 10 Things To Do In Ajaccio listed here are sure to give you a good idea of what Ajaccio is made of. Whether you approached the city via water or land, you will enjoy your time in Ajaccio. Unraveling Napoleonic history first hand is also a plus to the many fun activities. This island gives quite the experience.