An electric bike ride in the footsteps of Napoleon

A cycle tour through the streets of Ajaccio... in the footsteps of the Emperor

We meet at 10am in front of the Ajaccio tourist office. Our guide for the morning is Gregory from the company AppeBike. Easily recognisable thanks to its small green baskets, the fleet of VAE (electric bikes) is parked up in front of the office. Today we’re a dozen or so amateur cyclists taking part in this outing to celebrate spring and the beautiful days on their way. We set off in the footsteps of Napoleon, who is celebrating his 250th birthday this year.

Our first stop is the Chapelle Impériale on Rue Fesch, the main pedestrianised shopping street in Ajaccio. Classified as a historic monument, the chapel unites the tombs of the Bonaparte family in a single holy place.

Then we cross the streets of the old town, quietly and without much effort thanks to the electric assistance. We make a stop at Maison Bonaparte, where Napoleon was born and spent his youth.

Our guide takes us to Place Casone, where an impressive statue honours the Emperor. At the foot of the statue is a grotto where, according to legend, Napoleon played when he was small. Then we leave the city and its hectic buzz for the Route des Sanguinaires, reaching the Pointe de Parata after an hour of pedalling along the sea in the sweet spring sunshine.

The Maison Tino Rossi, Chapel of the Greeks, Marinella beach, Sacred Earth beach and marine cemetery are all places that speak to our subsconscious. We arrive at the Pointe de la Parata, where the Sentier des Douaniers marks the end of our journey. The emperor was almost murdered here, but fortunately he escaped! The lighthouse and tower of the Sanguinaires Islands dear to Daudet lie ahead of us, and the view is conducive to a well-deserved rest.

The return is quiet, along the sea and Place Miot, away from traffic. Ajaccio and its citadel stand out from the landscape and we arrive in the city tired, but happy to have learned more about this Emperor who gave Ajaccio the well-deserved title of Imperial City.

Place du Casone et Maison Bonaparte ©ATC

Pointe de la Parata

If you want to experience an electric bike, check out the offers on our website.

The "plus" of the electric-assisted bike: less physical effort than with a conventional bike, easily rechargeable (mains or terminal), very easy to use (conventional speeds + different AE modes), aesthetic side , nice retro line!

Discover in video the electric bike ride with ©Sylvain Alessandri