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Corsica, France

On September 25, 2023, I paid a short visit to the city of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica, France. Ajaccio is probably most known as the birthplace and early childhood home of Napoleon. There seems to be a strong sense of Corsican identity on the island. I noticed about ten Corsican flags for every one of France.

This was one of my favorite stops on the cruise. Ajaccio has a population of only 70,000, so it doesn’t take long to see the basics. Like most island people, I found the people there to be friendly and easy-going. The city is clean and very pedestrian friendly. I spent my day in Ajaccio doing a bus tour, walking about the city and swimming at the beach. This newsletter is by no means the best summary of Ajaccio or Corscia, but I hope it gives you a little feeling for the place.

Bonaparte House
This is the Bonaparte House, where Napoleon lived as a child. It is now a museum. For more information visit the Maison Bonaparte Museum.
Église Saint Erasme
This is the Église Saint Erasme, the church where Napoleon was baptized.
Statue of Napoleon
Statue of Napoleon and the four lions.
Pascal Paoli
If my history is right, Pascal Paoli was the leader of the short-lived Republic of Corsica. It broke away from the Republic of Genoa in 1755. However, it was not to last long. France went to war with Corsica in 1767 and conquered it in 1769. For more information, visit the Wikipedia page on Paoli.
Coast in Ajaccio
Here I am along the coast in Ajaccio, with my head in a map.
Statue of Napoleon and his four brothers
Statue of Napoleon and his four brothers.

Links:

Wikipedia page on Corsica

Wikipedia page on Ajaccio

Written by: Michael Shackleford