Car Hire Ajaccio - Mini guide to Ajaccio

Infamous as the birthplace of Napoleon, Ajaccio is a modern coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere, mild climate and wealth of cafés and shopping. Its interesting historical old town and encompassing bay views offer something for every visitor.

Ajaccio has many historical attractions of interest. Napoléon devotees flock to see the impressive Napoléon monument dominating Place de Gaulle. The bronze statue depicts the first Napoléon in Roman attire, surrounded by his four brothers. Musée Fesch is similarly popular for its many 17th century French and Spanish masters; however the Italian paintings of Raphael, Titian and Botticelli are the chief attractions.

At the heart of Ajaccio, Place Foch opens out to the seafront, once the site of the town's medieval gate. Nearby Place de Gaulle is the most useful point of orientation and is crossed by the main thoroughfare, Cours Napoléon. Ajaccio’s commercial centre stretches westward from here. The tourist office on Boulevard du Roi provides free inner city walking guides.

Restaurants in Ajaccio vary from basic bistros to trendy pizzerias and pricey fish restaurants, the majority of which are found in the old town. By night, Cours Napoléon jostles with bars and Place de Gaulle, home to many old-fashioned cafés and salons provides a quieter scene. Boulevard Lantivy by the seafront is lined with cocktail bars, clubs and a casino.

The surrounding region has much to offer. The northern town of Calvi is famous for its impressive gulf, thriving port and year-round festivals. South of Ajaccio, Sartene is known as the ‘most Corsician of the Corsican’ cities and is popular for its high granite houses and ingrained religious traditions.

Campo dell'Oro Airport is located 6kms south of Ajaccio and receives flights from most major European destinations. Hourly shuttles ply the route to the centre of town (15 minutes). Nouveau Port receives regular passenger ferries from the main cities of Savona, (3 hours - Express), Livorno, (4 hours) and Nice (3 hours, 30 minutes - Express). Regular buses ply the routes between the island’s main centres.