Ajaccio Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Ajaccio
Ajaccio, the charismatic capital city of Corsica, carries a layered history shaped by Roman roots, Genoese ingenuity, and unmistakably French panache. Founded by Genoese adventurers in the year 1492, the city swiftly established itself as a Mediterranean trading post fortified dramatically by a citadel that continues to gaze across the sparkling bay.
Yet, truth be told, Ajaccio’s claim to global fame rests squarely upon the shoulders of its most illustrious son, none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born here in 1769. Today, his childhood abode, the lovingly preserved Bonaparte House, welcomes legions of history buffs, admirers, and casual curiosity-seekers as a museum brimming with imperial nostalgia. Napoleon’s influence permeates Ajaccio’s culture through monuments, statues, street names, and historical landmarks. And let’s not forget a certain grand palace nestled among newer boulevards to the north, displaying art treasures collected by Napoleon’s aesthetically astute uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch.
Corsica’s transition into French hands in 1768 nudged Ajaccio toward its destiny as an administrative cornerstone, yet the city’s narrative took another dramatic turn during World War II. Occupied by Axis forces, Ajaccio seized a golden moment of liberation in 1943, proudly etching itself into history as the very first French city freed—a triumph commemorated each year by its residents.
Today, Ajaccio attracts visitors eager to explore its Napoleonic lore, cultural marvels, scenic waterfront promenades, and irresistibly pristine beaches. Its lively streets, bursting with contemporary cafés and stylish boutiques, reflect an enduring Mediterranean flair. Ajaccio remains a proud emblem of Corsican spirit, balancing a multifaceted history with timeless allure and celebrating its eternal bond to Napoleon—one of history’s most compelling figures.
Embark on our self-guided walk and let Ajaccio’s stories unfold step by step, guiding you through history, beauty, and Corsican charm.
Yet, truth be told, Ajaccio’s claim to global fame rests squarely upon the shoulders of its most illustrious son, none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born here in 1769. Today, his childhood abode, the lovingly preserved Bonaparte House, welcomes legions of history buffs, admirers, and casual curiosity-seekers as a museum brimming with imperial nostalgia. Napoleon’s influence permeates Ajaccio’s culture through monuments, statues, street names, and historical landmarks. And let’s not forget a certain grand palace nestled among newer boulevards to the north, displaying art treasures collected by Napoleon’s aesthetically astute uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch.
Corsica’s transition into French hands in 1768 nudged Ajaccio toward its destiny as an administrative cornerstone, yet the city’s narrative took another dramatic turn during World War II. Occupied by Axis forces, Ajaccio seized a golden moment of liberation in 1943, proudly etching itself into history as the very first French city freed—a triumph commemorated each year by its residents.
Today, Ajaccio attracts visitors eager to explore its Napoleonic lore, cultural marvels, scenic waterfront promenades, and irresistibly pristine beaches. Its lively streets, bursting with contemporary cafés and stylish boutiques, reflect an enduring Mediterranean flair. Ajaccio remains a proud emblem of Corsican spirit, balancing a multifaceted history with timeless allure and celebrating its eternal bond to Napoleon—one of history’s most compelling figures.
Embark on our self-guided walk and let Ajaccio’s stories unfold step by step, guiding you through history, beauty, and Corsican charm.
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Ajaccio Introduction Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Ajaccio Introduction Walking Tour
Guide Location: France » Ajaccio (See other walking tours in Ajaccio)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: nataly
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: France » Ajaccio (See other walking tours in Ajaccio)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: nataly
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Gare Maritime d'Ajaccio (Ajaccio Port)
- Rue Cardinal Fesch (Cardinal Fesch Street)
- Musee Fesch (Fesch Museum)
- Chapelle imperiale (Imperial Chapel)
- Marche d'Ajaccio (Ajaccio Market)
- Place Foch (Foch Square)
- Maison Bonaparte (Bonaparte House)
- Oratory of Saint John the Baptist
- Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption)
- Citadelle d'Ajaccio (Citadel of Ajaccio)
- Plage Saint-Francois (Saint Francois Beach)
1) Gare Maritime d'Ajaccio (Ajaccio Port)
The Port of Ajaccio is a bustling maritime hub in Corsica’s capital, serving cruise ships, ferries, yachts, and fishing boats. It features several piers, jetties, and marinas, with the cruise terminal located at Herminier Quay. To the east, the port is home to the ferry terminal, accommodating various ferry companies connecting Ajaccio to mainland France and other Mediterranean destinations. On the west side, a fishing port remains active, maintaining the city’s seafaring traditions. The port’s strategic location makes it a vital gateway for both commercial and leisure travel.
Ajaccio’s cruise terminal is small yet modern, offering basic but essential amenities. Passengers will find booking desks, public telephones, toilets, and taxi services available upon arrival. Most cruise ships dock directly at Herminier Quay, which is only 300 meters (330 yards) from Place Foch, the city's main square and tourist hub. However, on busier days or when larger ships arrive, Ajaccio operates as a tender port, requiring passengers to board smaller boats that transport them from the ship to the pier.
Thanks to its compact layout, the Port of Ajaccio provides easy access to the city center, with the main tourist office and key attractions just a short walk away. The area surrounding the port is lively and inviting, offering visitors an authentic Corsican experience right upon arrival. Whether you’re arriving by cruise, ferry, or private yacht, the Ajaccio Port serves as a convenient and scenic entry point to explore the historic streets, waterfront cafes, and cultural landmarks of Corsica’s capital.
Ajaccio’s cruise terminal is small yet modern, offering basic but essential amenities. Passengers will find booking desks, public telephones, toilets, and taxi services available upon arrival. Most cruise ships dock directly at Herminier Quay, which is only 300 meters (330 yards) from Place Foch, the city's main square and tourist hub. However, on busier days or when larger ships arrive, Ajaccio operates as a tender port, requiring passengers to board smaller boats that transport them from the ship to the pier.
Thanks to its compact layout, the Port of Ajaccio provides easy access to the city center, with the main tourist office and key attractions just a short walk away. The area surrounding the port is lively and inviting, offering visitors an authentic Corsican experience right upon arrival. Whether you’re arriving by cruise, ferry, or private yacht, the Ajaccio Port serves as a convenient and scenic entry point to explore the historic streets, waterfront cafes, and cultural landmarks of Corsica’s capital.
2) Rue Cardinal Fesch (Cardinal Fesch Street)
Cardinal Fesch Street (Rue Cardinal Fesch) is one of Ajaccio’s most charming and lively pedestrian streets, stretching from Place Abbatucci to Place Foch (known locally as Palms Square). Its narrow and relatively straight layout makes it an ideal place for a leisurely shopping stroll, attracting both locals and visitors alike. Unlike the grander and busier Napoleon Avenue, Fesch Street has retained its neighborhood charm, where generations of families have lived and worked, fostering a warm and familiar atmosphere. The pedestrianization of the street has further enhanced its promenade-like ambiance, making it an inviting destination for both shopping and sightseeing.
Despite its historical character, Fesch Street is a dynamic and evolving space, adapting to the modern tastes and needs of Ajaccio’s residents. It remains the city’s primary shopping hub, home to a mix of fashion boutiques, artisanal craft stores, and gourmet shops offering local Corsican products. From national brands to small, family-run businesses, the variety ensures that every shopper finds something unique. The street’s blend of tradition and modernity creates an authentic shopping experience, where visitors can browse for handmade goods, stylish clothing, or indulge in Corsican delicacies.
Adding to its vibrancy, Fesch Street comes alive in summer with its Night Shopping event held every Friday evening. This festive occasion allows visitors to enjoy extended store hours, live entertainment, and a lively atmosphere, making summer nights in Ajaccio even more memorable.
Despite its historical character, Fesch Street is a dynamic and evolving space, adapting to the modern tastes and needs of Ajaccio’s residents. It remains the city’s primary shopping hub, home to a mix of fashion boutiques, artisanal craft stores, and gourmet shops offering local Corsican products. From national brands to small, family-run businesses, the variety ensures that every shopper finds something unique. The street’s blend of tradition and modernity creates an authentic shopping experience, where visitors can browse for handmade goods, stylish clothing, or indulge in Corsican delicacies.
Adding to its vibrancy, Fesch Street comes alive in summer with its Night Shopping event held every Friday evening. This festive occasion allows visitors to enjoy extended store hours, live entertainment, and a lively atmosphere, making summer nights in Ajaccio even more memorable.
3) Musee Fesch (Fesch Museum)
The Fesch Museum is one of France’s top art museums, second only to the Louvre in Italian paintings. Founded by Cardinal Joseph Fesch (Napoleon’s uncle), it once held 17,000 works, including Giotto, Mantegna, Raphael, and Rembrandt. Though many were sold, 1,000 paintings were left to Ajaccio, forming today’s collection.
Designed in 1806, the museum’s building faced political delays and was completed in 1837, just before Fesch’s death. Built in a neoclassical style, it features a square courtyard and grand architecture. After serving various functions, it was restored in 1987 to fulfill Fesch’s vision of a public gallery.
The museum displays 350 paintings across four levels, arranged chronologically. Its highlights include Italian Primitives (Botticelli, Bellini), Roman Baroque (Poussin, Pozzo), and Neapolitan Baroque. Additional works feature Titian, Veronese, Nordic painting, Napoleonic art, and Corsican artists.
Visitors are invited to begin their journey on the second floor with the Italian Primitives, progressing through the galleries to Corsican works on the ground floor, offering a comprehensive exploration of European artistic heritage.
Designed in 1806, the museum’s building faced political delays and was completed in 1837, just before Fesch’s death. Built in a neoclassical style, it features a square courtyard and grand architecture. After serving various functions, it was restored in 1987 to fulfill Fesch’s vision of a public gallery.
The museum displays 350 paintings across four levels, arranged chronologically. Its highlights include Italian Primitives (Botticelli, Bellini), Roman Baroque (Poussin, Pozzo), and Neapolitan Baroque. Additional works feature Titian, Veronese, Nordic painting, Napoleonic art, and Corsican artists.
Visitors are invited to begin their journey on the second floor with the Italian Primitives, progressing through the galleries to Corsican works on the ground floor, offering a comprehensive exploration of European artistic heritage.
4) Chapelle imperiale (Imperial Chapel)
The Imperial Chapel, also known as the Palatine Chapel, is a historic monument forming the right wing of the Fesch Palace. Built from Saint-Florent stone, it was financed by funds bequeathed by Cardinal Fesch and Napoleon III.
The chapel was blessed on September 9, 1860, and serves as the sanctuary of the Bonaparte family, housing a crypt where several family members are buried, including Napoleon’s parents and Cardinal Fesch. It was classified as a Historic Monument in 1924 and remains one of Ajaccio’s most significant Napoleonic sites.
Commissioned in 1859 by Napoleon III, the chapel was designed in neo-Renaissance style with a Latin cross layout. It was built based on plans by Alexis Paccard, architect of the crown, and constructed by Jean Caseneuve, first inspector of the Palace of Fontainebleau. It adjoins the Palais Fesch, constructed two decades earlier, forming its southern wing.
The crypt, now at full capacity, holds numerous Bonaparte family members, including Letizia Bonaparte (Napoleon I’s mother), Cardinal Joseph Fesch, and Charles Bonaparte (Napoleon’s father), who was transferred here in 1951.
The chapel was blessed on September 9, 1860, and serves as the sanctuary of the Bonaparte family, housing a crypt where several family members are buried, including Napoleon’s parents and Cardinal Fesch. It was classified as a Historic Monument in 1924 and remains one of Ajaccio’s most significant Napoleonic sites.
Commissioned in 1859 by Napoleon III, the chapel was designed in neo-Renaissance style with a Latin cross layout. It was built based on plans by Alexis Paccard, architect of the crown, and constructed by Jean Caseneuve, first inspector of the Palace of Fontainebleau. It adjoins the Palais Fesch, constructed two decades earlier, forming its southern wing.
The crypt, now at full capacity, holds numerous Bonaparte family members, including Letizia Bonaparte (Napoleon I’s mother), Cardinal Joseph Fesch, and Charles Bonaparte (Napoleon’s father), who was transferred here in 1951.
5) Marche d'Ajaccio (Ajaccio Market) (must see)
The Ajaccio Market is a lively meeting point where locals and visitors come to experience Corsican gastronomy and culture. Especially bustling on weekends, the market attracts residents shopping for Sunday lunch with family and friends. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, a street market runs alongside the food stalls, offering an even greater variety of goods.
The market features a gourmet hall, a covered space that houses specialty stalls, including a fish market supplied by local fishermen, delicatessens, a cheese shop, a patisserie, a wine merchant, a roaster, and even a restaurant.
Shoppers can sample Corsican delicacies, such as prisuttu, coppa, and lonzu, paired with local cheeses like brocciu and casgiu merzu. The selection of fresh seafood, including sea bream and langoustines, highlights the island’s Mediterranean flavors, while Corsican wines and fruit-infused liqueurs add a perfect finishing touch to any meal.
For those with a sweet tooth, the market offers canistrelli biscuits, fiadone cheesecake, and fig and clementine jams, all made using traditional recipes. Corsican olive oil, prized for its quality, makes for a perfect souvenir to take home.
The market features a gourmet hall, a covered space that houses specialty stalls, including a fish market supplied by local fishermen, delicatessens, a cheese shop, a patisserie, a wine merchant, a roaster, and even a restaurant.
Shoppers can sample Corsican delicacies, such as prisuttu, coppa, and lonzu, paired with local cheeses like brocciu and casgiu merzu. The selection of fresh seafood, including sea bream and langoustines, highlights the island’s Mediterranean flavors, while Corsican wines and fruit-infused liqueurs add a perfect finishing touch to any meal.
For those with a sweet tooth, the market offers canistrelli biscuits, fiadone cheesecake, and fig and clementine jams, all made using traditional recipes. Corsican olive oil, prized for its quality, makes for a perfect souvenir to take home.
6) Place Foch (Foch Square) (must see)
Foch Square (Place Foch), also known as Place des Palmiers (Palms Square), is one of Ajaccio’s most picturesque and historic squares, linking the old town to Fesch Street, once considered a suburb. Built in the early 19th century, it serves as an architectural and cultural landmark, featuring a striking white marble statue of Napoleon Bonaparte dressed as a Roman consul, created by Italian sculptor Massimiliano Laboureur.
The Four Lions Fountain, designed by architect Jerome Maglioli, enhances the elegance of the square, with its granite structure and protective lion sculptures surrounding Napoleon’s statue. Adding to its historical charm, a niche along Bonaparte Street houses the statue of the Virgin of Mercy (A Madonuccia), the patroness of Ajaccio, celebrated annually on March 18.
A lively market fills the square most mornings, offering a variety of Corsican specialties, including nougat, chorizo, cheeses, jams, spices, and wines. Visitors can sample local delicacies before purchasing, creating an immersive culinary experience. In the evenings, the square transforms into a vibrant social hub, with lights illuminating the palm trees and market stalls selling light dinners and refreshments. Nearby, several bars and cafés invite visitors to relax with a coffee or a crêpe, making it an ideal spot to unwind and soak in the city’s lively atmosphere. The square’s numerous benches and shaded areas make it a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
Historically, Foch Square functioned as a key access point between the town and the port, offering beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and Ajaccio’s waterfront. It remains a central location in the city, surrounded by important sites such as the Congress Palace, Bonaparte House Museum, and Fesch Museum. Every Thursday in July and August, the 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs of the Guard gathers in full historical attire to perform the Changing of the Guard, adding a touch of Napoleonic tradition to the square.
The Four Lions Fountain, designed by architect Jerome Maglioli, enhances the elegance of the square, with its granite structure and protective lion sculptures surrounding Napoleon’s statue. Adding to its historical charm, a niche along Bonaparte Street houses the statue of the Virgin of Mercy (A Madonuccia), the patroness of Ajaccio, celebrated annually on March 18.
A lively market fills the square most mornings, offering a variety of Corsican specialties, including nougat, chorizo, cheeses, jams, spices, and wines. Visitors can sample local delicacies before purchasing, creating an immersive culinary experience. In the evenings, the square transforms into a vibrant social hub, with lights illuminating the palm trees and market stalls selling light dinners and refreshments. Nearby, several bars and cafés invite visitors to relax with a coffee or a crêpe, making it an ideal spot to unwind and soak in the city’s lively atmosphere. The square’s numerous benches and shaded areas make it a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
Historically, Foch Square functioned as a key access point between the town and the port, offering beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and Ajaccio’s waterfront. It remains a central location in the city, surrounded by important sites such as the Congress Palace, Bonaparte House Museum, and Fesch Museum. Every Thursday in July and August, the 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs of the Guard gathers in full historical attire to perform the Changing of the Guard, adding a touch of Napoleonic tradition to the square.
7) Maison Bonaparte (Bonaparte House) (must see)
Bonaparte House (Maison Bonaparte) is the ancestral home of the Bonaparte family, standing as a symbol of Ajaccio’s rich historical heritage. The house was continuously owned by the Bonaparte family from 1682 to 1923, making it one of the most significant landmarks in Corsica.
Today, it serves as a museum dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte’s early years, offering visitors a chance to explore the childhood home of one of history’s most iconic figures. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, artworks, personal belongings, and historical documents, providing a fascinating insight into Napoleon’s formative years and the legacy of the Bonaparte family.
Visitors begin their tour on the ground floor, where they can explore the living quarters of the Bonaparte family, preserved with original furniture and décor. Walking through these rooms, visitors can imagine the daily life of young Napoleon, surrounded by the ambiance of his childhood home.
As the museum tour continues, displays chronicle Napoleon’s military career, highlighting his rise to power as a brilliant strategist. Restored artifacts from his campaigns showcase his tactical genius, illustrating how he reshaped European history through his relentless pursuit of victory on the battlefield.
One of the most compelling exhibits at Bonaparte House is the room dedicated to Napoleon’s family, featuring portraits, personal belongings, and letters exchanged between Napoleon and his siblings. These artifacts offer a rare glimpse into the close bonds that shaped his ambitions and success.
Today, it serves as a museum dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte’s early years, offering visitors a chance to explore the childhood home of one of history’s most iconic figures. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, artworks, personal belongings, and historical documents, providing a fascinating insight into Napoleon’s formative years and the legacy of the Bonaparte family.
Visitors begin their tour on the ground floor, where they can explore the living quarters of the Bonaparte family, preserved with original furniture and décor. Walking through these rooms, visitors can imagine the daily life of young Napoleon, surrounded by the ambiance of his childhood home.
As the museum tour continues, displays chronicle Napoleon’s military career, highlighting his rise to power as a brilliant strategist. Restored artifacts from his campaigns showcase his tactical genius, illustrating how he reshaped European history through his relentless pursuit of victory on the battlefield.
One of the most compelling exhibits at Bonaparte House is the room dedicated to Napoleon’s family, featuring portraits, personal belongings, and letters exchanged between Napoleon and his siblings. These artifacts offer a rare glimpse into the close bonds that shaped his ambitions and success.
8) Oratory of Saint John the Baptist
The Oratory of Saint John the Baptist, built in 1565, was originally the seat of the Brotherhood of Saint Jerome and Saint John the Baptist, which managed the hospital for the poor. This historic site holds deep connections to Ajaccio’s past, as several members of the Bonaparte family were baptized here. After the French Revolution, the oratory was repurposed as a ballroom and performance hall, but it was restored as a place of worship following the Concordat.
Architecturally, the oratory is a Mannerist-style building, characterized by a facade with flat pilasters, topped by a triangular pediment. A bell tower rises above the structure on its northern side, adding to its distinctive silhouette. Inside, the single nave is adorned with a vault painted in the 19th century, while fluted pilasters accentuate the side walls, giving the space a refined and elegant feel.
The oratory’s high altar is a striking focal point, featuring intricate stucco decoration. Above it stands a columned altarpiece, crowned by an interrupted pediment, showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of the period. Today, this restored religious site serves as a reminder of Ajaccio’s religious and historical heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s past.
Architecturally, the oratory is a Mannerist-style building, characterized by a facade with flat pilasters, topped by a triangular pediment. A bell tower rises above the structure on its northern side, adding to its distinctive silhouette. Inside, the single nave is adorned with a vault painted in the 19th century, while fluted pilasters accentuate the side walls, giving the space a refined and elegant feel.
The oratory’s high altar is a striking focal point, featuring intricate stucco decoration. Above it stands a columned altarpiece, crowned by an interrupted pediment, showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of the period. Today, this restored religious site serves as a reminder of Ajaccio’s religious and historical heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s past.
9) Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) (must see)
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is a historic religious landmark in Ajaccio’s old town. Completed in 1593, it reflects the Counter-Reformation architectural style, featuring a Latin cross layout and a central dome. The cathedral is also dedicated to Saint Euphrasius and Saint Francis Xavier. It holds great historical significance, as it was here that Napoleon Bonaparte was baptized on June 21, 1771. In 1906, the cathedral was officially listed as a historic monument, cementing its status as one of Ajaccio’s most important religious sites.
Inside, the high altar, a gift from Napoleon’s sister, Elisa, in 1811, serves as a focal point. Several side chapels add to the cathedral’s artistic and historical value. The Chapel of the Madonna del Pianto houses a painting by Eugène Delacroix, The Virgin of the Sacred Heart, while the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy honors Ajaccio’s patron saint, credited with saving the city from the plague in 1656. The Bonaparte family tomb is located beneath the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, further linking the cathedral to Napoleon’s legacy.
Notable highlights include the baptistery where Napoleon was baptized, adorned with the coat of arms of Mgr Giustiniani, and the altarpiece from the Church of the Dead in Lucca, another gift from Princess Elisa Bacchiochi. The Cavaille-Coll organ, donated by King Louis Philippe in 1847, adds to the cathedral’s grandeur.
Inside, the high altar, a gift from Napoleon’s sister, Elisa, in 1811, serves as a focal point. Several side chapels add to the cathedral’s artistic and historical value. The Chapel of the Madonna del Pianto houses a painting by Eugène Delacroix, The Virgin of the Sacred Heart, while the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy honors Ajaccio’s patron saint, credited with saving the city from the plague in 1656. The Bonaparte family tomb is located beneath the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, further linking the cathedral to Napoleon’s legacy.
Notable highlights include the baptistery where Napoleon was baptized, adorned with the coat of arms of Mgr Giustiniani, and the altarpiece from the Church of the Dead in Lucca, another gift from Princess Elisa Bacchiochi. The Cavaille-Coll organ, donated by King Louis Philippe in 1847, adds to the cathedral’s grandeur.
10) Citadelle d'Ajaccio (Citadel of Ajaccio)
The Citadel of Ajaccio, also known as the Miollis Citadel, is a historic fortress in the heart of the city, originally constructed in 1492 by the Genoese to defend against maritime attacks. Built on a strategic coastal site, it initially consisted of a central keep and lower defensive walls. Over time, the fortifications were expanded, particularly in 1553 and 1559, when French forces and engineers strengthened the structure, giving it its hexagonal shape with six bastions.
As tensions between Genoa and Corsican rebels grew in the 18th century, France gradually took control of the island, officially acquiring it in 1768. The Citadel was further reinforced during the French rule, housing up to 800 soldiers and becoming a key military stronghold.
During the 19th century, the Citadel's role shifted from defense to military barracks, serving as a garrison rather than a battlefield fortification. In the First World War, it was used as a rallying point for Ajaccio’s soldiers before their deployment to the front. During World War II, it fell under Italian fascist occupation and became infamous as the place of detention of resistance fighter Fred Scamaroni, who was captured by Italian counter-espionage (OVRA) and chose to take his own life rather than betray his comrades.
Until 2020, the Citadel was occupied by the military, making it one of France’s last active coastal fortresses. Since its transfer to the Town of Ajaccio, it has been at the center of an urban redevelopment plan aimed at integrating it into the city’s cultural and historical landscape. The goal is to restore and open up the fortress, turning it into an accessible heritage site that reconnects the Citadel with the old Genoese town.
As tensions between Genoa and Corsican rebels grew in the 18th century, France gradually took control of the island, officially acquiring it in 1768. The Citadel was further reinforced during the French rule, housing up to 800 soldiers and becoming a key military stronghold.
During the 19th century, the Citadel's role shifted from defense to military barracks, serving as a garrison rather than a battlefield fortification. In the First World War, it was used as a rallying point for Ajaccio’s soldiers before their deployment to the front. During World War II, it fell under Italian fascist occupation and became infamous as the place of detention of resistance fighter Fred Scamaroni, who was captured by Italian counter-espionage (OVRA) and chose to take his own life rather than betray his comrades.
Until 2020, the Citadel was occupied by the military, making it one of France’s last active coastal fortresses. Since its transfer to the Town of Ajaccio, it has been at the center of an urban redevelopment plan aimed at integrating it into the city’s cultural and historical landscape. The goal is to restore and open up the fortress, turning it into an accessible heritage site that reconnects the Citadel with the old Genoese town.
11) Plage Saint-Francois (Saint Francois Beach)
Saint Francois Beach is a picturesque urban beach located just before the Citadel and near the port of Ajaccio. It is bordered by the elegant palm-lined promenade on Lantivy Boulevard, making it a scenic and easily accessible spot for both locals and visitors. Due to its central location, the beach offers stunning views of Ajaccio’s historic landmarks, including the Citadel and Cathedral, creating a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Despite being one of the best-placed beaches in Ajaccio, parking can be challenging, so it is best reached on foot. The wide, sandy stretch near the Citadel provides ample space for relaxation, while the beach narrows as it extends toward the Sanguinaires road. The calm waters and gentle entry into the sea make it a great choice for families, swimmers, and sunbathers. A set of stairs from the esplanade offers easy access, making it a convenient stop for those exploring the city or arriving from the cruise port.
The atmosphere at Saint Francois Beach is lively, attracting a diverse crowd, yet it remains quieter near the Citadel, where visitors can enjoy a more relaxed swim.
Despite being one of the best-placed beaches in Ajaccio, parking can be challenging, so it is best reached on foot. The wide, sandy stretch near the Citadel provides ample space for relaxation, while the beach narrows as it extends toward the Sanguinaires road. The calm waters and gentle entry into the sea make it a great choice for families, swimmers, and sunbathers. A set of stairs from the esplanade offers easy access, making it a convenient stop for those exploring the city or arriving from the cruise port.
The atmosphere at Saint Francois Beach is lively, attracting a diverse crowd, yet it remains quieter near the Citadel, where visitors can enjoy a more relaxed swim.
Walking Tours in Ajaccio, France
Create Your Own Walk in Ajaccio
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ajaccio is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ajaccio in Napoleon's Footsteps Walking Tour
Napoleon Bonaparte—a name that echoes boldly through history—first set his foot on the world's stage right here in Ajaccio on August 15, 1769. The winding lanes, pastel-colored houses, and cozy corners of the old town weren't just scenery; they shaped the young Napoleon's imagination, laying the groundwork for the ambitions to come.
Ajaccio, understandably proud of its most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Ajaccio, understandably proud of its most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
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