10 things to do in Ajaccio

Napoleon Bonaparte's Ajaccio, from Place Foch to Maison Bonaparte, highlights one of France's most well-known historic figures who was born in Ajaccio in 1769. The city streets that were once his childhood playground are today imbued with his presence. The Corsican capital, which owes its status to its golden child, has all the components necessary to discover the history of France's first emperor.

Visit the house of his birth, now the Musée National de la Maison Bonaparte (National Museum of the Bonaparte House) dedicated to the illustrious family. Next, continue your journey and admire the statues and monuments placed in his honor (Place Foch, Place Général-de-Gaulle and Place d’Austerlitz). And in June and August, don't week miss Napoleonic week with Napoleon-themed days.

The Fesch Museum (Le Palais Fesch) lets you discover paintings by Italian masters such as Titian and Botticelli along with works by local artists whose drawings and paintings are extremely well represented here. This is the perfect opportunity to unravel the mystery of the Corsican spirit through the work of local artists, all while enjoying a moment of culture and contemplation.

Portraits of the Bonaparte family can also be found in a dedicated area. In keeping with Napoleon's legacy, this building, found on the seafront, was commissioned by Napoleon's maternal uncle, Joseph Fesch, whose ambition was to educate the young inhabitants of the island in intellectual and artistic pursuits.

A tour of the harbor shows how the history and face of Ajaccio are intrinsically linked to the sea in the Corsican capital. Enjoyment can be found at every hour of the day. At sunrise, you'll see the fishermen returning, nets full of wriggling fish; during the day, watch the comings and goings of yachts and rustic boats, or the regulars in the cafe; and at nightfall, experience the warm and friendly atmosphere well into the early hours.

Come and admire the shimmering colors of the mussels against a sparkling backdrop and listen to the gentle sound of boats knocking together.

Go shopping at a local market to get a real flavor of the town and its inhabitants. The main market (Le grand marché) is a local institution and can be found in Place Foch. It's open every morning (except Mondays from November to March) and is brimming with specialties for you to taste or to take home, while you take in the ambience of the capital.

Wines, jellies, hand-crafted biscuits and regional cheeses – everything's here so that you, and your friends and family at home, can explore Corsica through the medium of taste (fresh produce can be vacuum packed for transportation). And if you're able to do a little cooking during your stay, why not try some lovely fish, freshly caught that morning?

The luxurious Foreigners' Quarter (quartier des Étrangers) was created to accommodate mid-19th-century tourists – primarily English, German and Swiss – who started to flock to Ajaccio for the winter. Luxury hotels and other buildings emerged, today housing offices or apartments.

A tour of this former vacation quarter will take you on a journey back through time to a golden age. Start the tour at Cours Granval and admire the façade and gardens of the Grand Hôtel. A little farther on, Château Conti and Cyrnos Palace rise majestically. Other landmarks include Villa de Gregorio, Villa Costa and the Anglican church.

The Imperial Chapel (La Chapelle Imperiale) is next to the Fesch Palace (Palais Fesch) and houses the tombs of the Bonaparte family. Among others, Napoleon's parents, Charles and Letizia Bonaparte, are buried here in accordance with the wishes of Joseph Fesch, the cardinal to whom the town owes the Fesch Museum. Classified as a historic monument, this limestone building was built in 1857 on the initiative of Napoleon III.

A painter from Ajaccio was commissioned to decorate the vaulted ceilings using a range of gray colors to resemble marble, as well as exceptional trompe l'oeils. The dome that sits atop the building's Latin cross plan acts as a skylight, enhancing the chapel and enshrining it in a soft, muted light, conducive to contemplation.

Ajaccio Cathedral, although modest in size, is nonetheless spectacular once inside. Built at the end of the 16th century, it was where Napoleon Bonaparte was baptised in 1711 before being classed as a historic monument. Behind the orange façade, you'll discover a superb high altar, a gift from Napoleon's sister, as well as a number of chapels on either side of the Latin cross plan.

In the Chapel of the Madonna of Pianto, you can admire a painting by Eugène Delacroix titled 'La Vierge au Sacré-Cœur'. The second chapel is dedicated to the patron saint of the imperial city, Notre Dame de la Miséricorde. Look out for the trompe l'oeil frescoes and organs.

Place de Gaulle, at the intersection of the old town and the more recent districts, benefits from an unobstructed view across the Gulf of Ajaccio. In the center, you'll see a bronze statue of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback, wearing a toga and surrounded by his 4 brothers. However, it is named after General de Gaulle in commemoration of the town's liberation during the Second World War.

It is also the central hub for the little shopping streets, with their many bars and restaurants, and hosts year-round concerts and activities, including the Christmas market. The locals enjoy a game of petanque here, while their children make the most of the long malecon where they can ride their bikes or scooters.

The hamlets of the inland region offer unmissable cultural and natural treasures if you have some spare time and want to get a little fresh air while discovering another side of this region. You'll find a real mix of what Corsica has to offer with small medieval villages, hiking trails through the scrubland, rivers, waterfalls and even historic ruins.

Head off to Bastelica with its superb fountains and make the most of the magnificent landscape dotted with pozzines (waterholes found typically in Corsica). After this, why not get some fresh air on Vitalaca lake (Lac de Vitalaca) before heading to the village of Tulla, with its dizzying panorama.

A trip to the Blood Islands showcases their rich flora and fauna as well as their remarkable architectural heritage. The legendary Archipelago of the Blood Islands (Archipel des Îles Sanguinaires), as described by Alphonse Daudet, lies off the Pointe de la Parata. This collection of 4 islands owes its red color to the porphyry rock and constitutes a sanctuary for marine birds (such as yellow-legged gulls) and even dolphins.

Architectural highlights include the Square Tower (Tour Carrée) that dates back to 1550, the semaphore dating from 1865, the lighthouse dedicated to the aforementioned poet built in 1845, and the Genoise Tower (Tour Genoise) built in 1608. Book a cruise and discover the island either by day or on an evening cruise where you can watch the sunset accompanied by Corsican wines, a buffet and guitar music as an added bonus.