Two Passports

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Ajaccio is Napoleon’s birthplace and nobody there lets you forget it. We gave the little guy his due, then spent the morning eating through the central market — copa, olives, ripe cheese.

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Napoleon Complex in Ajaccio (That Was Obvious)

Tuesday, we awoke at the port of Ajaccio, Corsica, a French territory, off the western coast of Italy. That is not a typo, we had no idea and that is the beauty of travel, erase preconceptions and ignorance. We have never visited Corsica, so expectations were high.

The Equinox's funnel and its white X rising above the rooftops and trees of Ajaccio

Why visit Ajaccio? Well, there was this chap named Napoleon who was born and christened there. Naturally, the main draw is his birthplace and the church that claims his christening.

A marble statue of Napoleon in Roman dress on a tall pedestal, a stone lion couched at its base
A marble plaque above a doorway recording that Napoleon was born in this house on 15 August 1769
The honey-coloured stone front of Ajaccio Cathedral with its arched doorway

With the little guy out of the way, the focus of our visit was a trip to the town’s central market. Open daily, the market serves as the primary source for the locals’ vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, olives, fruits, and pastries. We sampled many of these delicacies and oh how we love our copa. If only we could share the smell of ripe olives and cheese with you.

A stallholder in gloves cutting samples of pastries on a cloth-covered table at the Ajaccio market
Terracotta bowls of black, green and marinated olives at a market stall, handwritten price cards propped among them
Trays of coloured soaps laid out on a market stall

After a successful morning we realized there is not a heck of a lot else to see, so we returned to our ship for a lazy afternoon at the pool while watching the small harbor teeming with boat traffic.

Ajaccio's marina from above, yachts moored in rows along the bay with the town behind

As the evening sun set, the captain set sail for Palma de Mallorca! We have not been to Spain for a few years, nor have we experienced Mallorca. We will have to wait however, for Wednesday is a day at sea.

The sun low over Ajaccio harbour as the ship pulls away past the breakwater

2 responses to “Napoleon Complex in Ajaccio (That Was Obvious)”

  1. Tiger and cock Avatar
    Tiger and cock

    I have friends from Corsica. I have always heard great things about the island. Say hello to Rafa Nadal when you get to Mallorca.

    Keep enjoying your trip and remember: I expect my musical photo album no later than a week after you come back.

    PS Where are Tiger & cock?

    1. chrisandjenmoss Avatar

      We honestly have no idea where the tiger and cock are after the move. 😳

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