Departures 2024
Corsica's largest town, Ajaccio is also the capital of the département of Southern Corsica in France. A few days ago, Ajaccio has been elected as the nicest place to live in France for families by the Figaro magazine in France. The "Imperial City" as we like to call it, is widely known as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. But it has so much more to offer that we thought it deserved a full article!
A bit of history
The modern version of the city was founded in 1492 around its citadelle by the Genoese. In 1739, Pascal Paoli, a famous Corsican patriot and military leader, launched his first campaign for an independent republic, but the Ajacciens (the inhabitants of Ajaccio) decided to stay faithful to the Genoese. However, in 1768, Corsica became French and the ramparts were demolished on the orders of Napoleon. Since World War II - when Ajaccio became the first town to be liberated in France - the tourist industry has become the most important income-provider.
Things to do in Ajaccio
With its palm trees, street cafés and yacht-filled marina, Ajaccio looks like the classic French Mediterranean city. Its exceptional weather conditions make it one of the most sunny towns of France, with an average of 300 days of sunshine, and open the opportunity for tourists to enjoy many outdoor activities.
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The archipelago of Sanguinaires islands
These islands, which are part of the natural and cultural heritage of Ajaccio, are a real spectacle to the visitors coming everyday, with, in the foreground, the pininsula of Parata and its Genoese tower dated from the 16th century and built to protect Ajaccio in the first place.
You can visit the "Iles Sanguinaires" (the bloody islands if we translate) by boat everyday in summer.
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Hiking on the "sentier des crêtes"
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The beaches
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La Maison Bonaparte / The Bonaparte's House
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The Fesch Museum
The museum is open all year long, every day except for Tuesday.
What about you ? Have you ever been to Ajaccio ?
