Ajaccio (Corsica, France)

Capital and second-largest port of the French island of Corsica; population (1990) 59,300, Ajaccio was founded by the Genoese in 1492, Ajaccio was also the birthplace of Napoleon.

It is without doubt one of the warmest places in France, the "White City" was once a wintering spot for Victorian gentry. These romantic connotations are still suggested by certain broad boulevards, squares with statues and fountains and faded villas with huge, exotic gardens.

However, the overall aspect of the "imperial city" was disrupted by the building of multistorey administrative buildings and concrete blocks of flats in the 1950s and 1960s; the steepish hill rising from the small 15th-century citadel, the charming old Genoese quarter and the port (with regular car ferries from mainland France) is now a visual "concrete jungle".

Fortunately, such massive despoilment has not taken away the relaxing quality of Ajaccio, with its glorious views of the bay and distant mountains, plentiful animated cafe terraces, a bustling yacht marina and handsome, well-frequented beaches stretching into the outskirts of town. Main streets are choked with impatient traffic all day long, yet side streets are a haven for old-fashioned shops and tranquillity. This is a thriving little city in its own right, and the wealth of restaurants, souvenir shops, travel agencies and large hotels is merely an addition to its summer plumage.

Locality:

Ajaccio is located on the SW coast of Corsica, 95 mls SW of Bastia. 4 mls W of airport. Ajaccio is situated on a hillside overlooking Bay of Ajaccio with fine views of distant mountains.