Hotel de Ville (City Hall), Ajaccio

The City Hall of Ajaccio (Hotel de Ville), built between 1824 and 1830, is a historic monument housing the Salon Napoléonien, a collection of Napoleonic artifacts, portraits, and memorabilia. Enriched by bequests from Cardinal Fesch (1839), the Duke of Treviso (1892), and Prince Napoleon (1898), it offers insights into Napoleon Bonaparte’s legacy. Some items were lost during the world wars, while others are displayed at the Fesch Museum.

Inside, visitors find a statue of King Jerome, portraits of Letizia Bonaparte and Napoleon, and a Bohemian crystal chandelier, a gift from Czechoslovakia in 1969. The imperial portrait collection includes works by Girodet, Gerard, and Canova, along with Napoleon’s birth certificate and Winterhalter’s portraits of Empress Eugenie and Napoleon III. A ceiling painting by Dominique Frassati (1940) honors Napoleon, while Egyptian-style furniture from Cardinal Fesch completes the décor.

The second room displays Napoleonic coins and medals, donated by Prince Napoleon and Danish collectors (1974), marking key events of the Empire. As both a government building and historical landmark, Ajaccio City Hall offers a unique glimpse into Napoleon’s imperial legacy.