Autumn in the Ajaccio region

Ajaccio, a charming Mediterranean city, is sure to surprise you in the mild autumn months.

Birthplace of the Emperor Napoleon I, you can visit the house where he was born inAjaccio’s old town and the baroque cathedral where he was baptised in 1771. Ajaccio is also home to the Fesch Museum, which bears the name of a cardinal and uncle of Napoleon, who was a great collector of art, principally Italian Primitives. This is one of the largest collections in the world. A rainy day provides the ideal opportunity to explore this museum.

Departing from Ajaccio, you will find shuttle boats that head in the direction of the beaches of the south coast and the great nature sites,Porto and Scandola to the north and Bonifacio to the south. Open-top bus services at Impériales and little touristic trains let you visit the old town and the Route des Sanguinaires with a stop-off at Marinella, the villa of Tino Rossi and a visit to the Grand Site of La Parata that offers a superb view of the Sanguinaires Islands. 

From walking through the Maquis overlooking the Gulf of Ajaccio, to enjoying a boat trip across the waves with the Sanguinaires Islandsin the background, the Ajaccio Tourist Office provides a selection of excursions that can be enjoyed alone or as part of a group. 

The South Coast

The southern coast is dotted with 3 peninsulas: Porticcio, Isolella and Castagna.

Visitors should enjoy the beautiful walk to the Tour de Capo di Muro from the village of Aqua Doria. During this fragrant walk in the midst of the Maquis, you can admire the greatBay of Cacao and the lighthouse ofCapu di Muro that divides the gulfs of Ajaccio and of Valinco.

The Prunelli Valley

The Prunelli Valley in autumn will lead you from above the village of Bastelica to the small ski resort of Val d’Ese, where you can enjoy alpine skiing in the winter months. At this time of year, however, you can walk through the Ese plateau in the midst of the Pozzi (waterholes). The view across the sea from these snow-covered slopes is splendid.

In Bastelica and Tolla, at the start of November, the Journée de la Pomme takes place. This region is famous for its Reinette apples.

On the way back down, at theCol de Cricheto, take the little motorised train with the children and explore the wild nature that is in bloom at this time of year. Further down towards Cauro, the bee garden and the essential oil distillery will let you pick up an endless supply of honey and oils.           

The Gravona Valley                              

On the Ajaccio-Bastia road, in the place known as Vignola just15 minutes from Ajaccio, take the time to visit A Cupulatta – Europe’s number 1 tortoise park – where you can easily spend an afternoon cooing over the tortoise nursery.  Higher up the mountain at Bocognano, when the weather is fine you can take the small path through the Maquis to the Cascade du Voile de la Mariée, which boasts a dizzying 70m drop.

Most of all don’t miss the Chestnut Fair in Bocognano in late November, the essential rendezvous for all gourmets. This event brings together the island’s producers and artisans for three days. You can sample delicious gateaux and beignets made using chestnut flour and also take the opportunity to stock up before the holidays!

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