Corsica: Ajaccio

From Corte, we took the train to the southwest to Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon. There was so much Napoleon reference, John thinks they should just rename the city "Napoleon". While most of the businesses in city center are open, the tourist oriented pedestrian street is mostly closed.

We walked to the west of town a couple of times. First, the beginning of Sentier des Crêtes in Bois des Anglais, and enjoyed views to the city. Later, we took the bus to the headland, Pointe de la Parata, where the Sentier des Crêtes ends, and walked around the Pointes, and the beginning of Sentier des Douaniers, and enjoyed views of the Sanguinaires Islands.

SL et moi arrive at Gara di Corti; and soon we are underway.






We get our first view of the Ajaccio Ferry Terminal as we arrive on the train.


We walked up to the Grotto Napoleon above Place d’Austerlitz for some great views back to town, and the sea and mountains beyond.




On the way back we passed the monumental Grand Hotel Continental, Lycee Fesch, and the modernist, so-called Twin Buildings.






Ajaccio Cathedral - Where Napoleon Bonaparte was baptized on July 21, 1771.




Model ships abounded inside the Church of Saint Erasmus, aka Fishermen's Church,


For many years, trendy seaside resort towns in France have typically had a casino. The one in Ajaccio has just been refurbished.


The market hall in Ajaccio with signage in Corsican.


One day we walked a loop in the Bois des Anglais (English Forest) with great views of the sea and town, and we took the best selfie of the trip so far






Lunch at Green Farmer's.


We love to visit library reading rooms. Below is the reading room at Bibliothèque Fesch, founded by Lucien Bonaparte. The entrance is guarded by two lions.




And as SL said above: Later, we took the bus to the headland, Pointe de la Parata, where the Sentier des Crêtes ends, and walked around the Pointes and the beginning of Sentier des Douaniers, and enjoyed views of the Sanguinaires Islands.