A Corsica cycling holiday starting in Ajaccio, a bustling and beautiful city in the south of Corsica
Located on the south-western coast of Corsica, by the Mediterranean Sea, Ajaccio is a busy and lively city, yet with a holiday feel, offering plenty of café and restaurant terraces, shaded squares, colourful streets, white sandy beaches right in the heart of the city centre, daily local market and historic monuments. It is a relaxed city, with a slow-paced lifestyle.
There is an international airport in Ajaccio, with daily flights from mainland France and from other European cities, such as Geneva, Barcelona or London. Ajaccio is also linked to mainland France via daily ferry crossings from Marseille, Toulon and Nice. Easy access for a self-guided cycling tour of Corsica!
Ajaccio is one of the busiest ports in France, proving very popular with cruise liners but is also an important fishing port.
What to do when visiting Ajaccio on your cycling holiday in Corsica?
The famous “Maison Bonaparte”
1769 was the year that Napoleon Bonaparte, imperial ruler of the French Empire, was born in Ajaccio, thus becoming the city’s biggest claim to fame. He was born and raised in the “Maison Bonaparte” a house located in the heart of the old town. Throughout his lifetime, Napoleon invested in the house and its upkeep. In 1924, the house was given to the French state and became a national museum in 1967.
The Fresch Museum
Joseph Fresch, cardinal and imperial prince of France (and uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte) was one of the most influential people during the rule of his nephew. A French Diplomat, Cardinal, Archbishop of Lyon and Grand Almoner of France, he was known an avid art collector and was the proud owner of over 17 000 artworks. Many of them where donated in his will with 1 000 pieces given to the city of Ajaccio. And it is in this museum that you can discover many neo-classical Italian, French, Corsican and Dutch paintings. The Napoleon collection is also on display in this museum.
A cycling stay in Corsica: from Ajaccio to Calvi
We offer self-guided cycling itineraries in Corsica, beginning in the beautiful city of Ajaccio, cycling along the west coast, heading North to Calvi. We lead you through some of the prettiest villages and along wild and stunning beaches, on top notch rental bikes.
