Ajaccio is located on the west coast of the Isle of Corsica and lies 390 km southeast of Marseille. It is the capital of the Corsica region of France, and in addition to a thriving tourist economy, the city is supported by thriving shipping, fishing, manufacturing and fruit-growing industries. The picturesque harbour lies on the Mediterranean Sea and is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful bays in the entire world.

Perhaps most notable, Ajaccio was the birthplace of Napoleon I. Today, tourists can still pay a visit to Bonaparte House – the home where he was born. In addition, the city’s old citadel can be traced back to the 16th century and is a charming reminder of what it must have been like many years ago when the city was still merely a village.

Ajaccio’s Fesh Museum is a must-see for art enthusiasts, as it has one of the largest collections of Italian baroque paintings in the world. Rumored to be second only to the collection found at the Louvre, Ajaccio’s collection was donated to the city by Cardinal Fesh, Napoleon’s uncle. Although the beaches are beautiful and remain a main attraction in July and August, they can become quite crowded, so consider renting a car and driving up the coast to visit a few of the many smaller mountain villages in the area as well.