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Corsica, France

On September 25, 2023, I took a brief trip to Ajaccio, located on the beautiful island of Corsica, France. This city is widely recognized as the birthplace and formative home of Napoleon Bonaparte. The residents of Corsica appear to have a strong sense of regional pride, as I was struck by the sight of numerous Corsican flags adorning the streets—much more prevalent than those of France.

This stop was definitely one of the highlights of my cruise experience. Ajaccio, with its modest population of around 70,000, allows visitors to quickly grasp its main attractions. In keeping with the charm typical of island communities, I found the locals to be exceptionally warm and laid-back. The city is well-maintained and easily navigable on foot. During my time in Ajaccio, I engaged in a bus tour, strolled through its charming streets, and enjoyed a relaxing swim at the beach. While this newsletter may not capture every intricate detail about Ajaccio or Corsica, I hope it provides a glimpse into the beauty of the area.

Bonaparte House
This is the Bonaparte House, which served as the childhood residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. Today, it has been transformed into a museum. For additional details, you can visit the Maison Bonaparte Museum .
Église Saint Erasme
Here stands the Église Saint Erasme, the historical church where Napoleon received his baptism.
Statue of Napoleon
Statue of Napoleon and the four lions.
Pascal Paoli
If I recall correctly, Pascal Paoli was the leader of the brief Corsican Republic, which gained independence from the Republic of Genoa in 1755. Unfortunately, this independence was short-lived, as France waged war on Corsica in 1767 and ultimately took control in 1769. For further information, check out the Wikipedia page on Paoli .
Coast in Ajaccio
Here I am on Ajaccio's scenic coastline, studying a map with great interest.
A monument dedicated to Napoleon and his four siblings.
A statue representing Napoleon alongside his four brothers.

Links:

Wikipedia page on Corsica

Wikipedia page on Ajaccio