Highlights of Ajaccio

Admire charming Ajaccio on this driving and walking tour that focuses on the life of pugnacious Napoleon Bonaparte. Pass historic churches, the former English quarter and notable monuments to the French emperor, born in Ajaccio or “Imperial Town” in 1769. Witness Napoleon in a celebrated pose at striking Austerlitz Square, donning his famous two-cornered hat and riding coat. Local lore holds he played here as a child, presciently pretending to be France’s emperor. Commence your walking tour in Ajaccio’s oldest district and discover another tribute to the emperor at the eye-catching neo-classical town hall. Amble leisurely down one of the region’s first streets, aptly named Rue Bonaparte, to Napoleon’s birthplace. Envision his boyhood in this unadorned home, now a museum beautifully furnished with period pieces. See the modest cathedral, site of his christening, and yet another impressive commemoration in the expansive Place de Gaulle. At the end of your enlightening tour, you may choose to remain in town to browse the engaging, shop-lined Rue Fesch, where Napoleon’s image is a central theme.