The Napoleonic experience
Visit the Chapelle Impériale, where Napoleon's parents are buried, the Maison Bonaparte where he was born and spent his early years, the Place Austerlitz and its grottoes, where the future Emperor did his homework as a child, the Notre Dame de l'Assomption cathedral where he was baptised, the Place De Gaulle, or «Place du Diamant», where you can admire the statue of «Napoleon on horseback surrounded by his 4 brothers» and enjoy the magnificent view over the Bay of Ajaccio...
The city centre
Stroll through the town centre to the Place du Diamant (Place De Gaulle), designed under the direction of Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul, and dominated by the statue of the town's illustrious son, depicted on horseback as a Roman Emperor and surrounded by his four brothers.
Originally, the Cours Grandval was lined exclusively with private residences and luxury hotels. Some of these buildings still stand today: Le Grand Hôtel, which now houses the Territorial Collectivity of Corsica, Its magnificent façade and charming garden separating it from the street make it particularly striking.
Place d'Austerlitz
Discover the great monument dedicated to Napoleon, built in 1938 on the Place d'Austerlitz.
There is a rock shelter, known as La Grotte Napoléon, where the future emperor is said to have played and meditated as a child. The main attraction, however, remains the vast granite monument, engraved with the names of the major battles and achievements of the First Empire.
The bronze statue of Napoleon is a replica of the one in the courtyard of Les Invalides in Paris.
Saint-François beach
Situated just below the Citadelle, less than 10 minutes' walk from Ajaccio harbour, this beach's exceptional location means that anyone can take a break from swimming, whatever their plans for the day.
For the more courageous who want to walk a little further and enjoy the lively Parc Berthault area, the beautiful Trottel beach and its typical restaurants is another alternative.
The Pointe de la Parata and the Sanguinaires archipelago
The Sanguinaires archipelago is an exceptional place, located just 8km from the town, and has been awarded the «Grand Site de France» label since 2017. Closing the bay of Ajaccio to the north, it includes the Pointe de la Parata and the Sanguinaires islands.
You can explore the site on foot, a walk of around 500 metres from the car park will take you to the tip of the Iles Sanguinaires, where you'll find a restaurant for a refreshing break. Adapted vehicles are available for people with reduced mobility. For the more adventurous, a coastal path leads to a magnificent sixteenth-century Genoese tower, offering a breathtaking view of a semaphore on Mezzu Mare, the largest of the four islands.
The site is also the starting point for a number of easy hikes to discover the endemic flora of the coastline and spectacular panoramic views. From the pontoon opposite the car park, you can embark on a friendly tour of the island of Mezzu Mare, home to several colonies of seabirds.
