We highly recommend a visit to the Maison Bonaparte in Ajaccio, Corsica. It’s a must-see tourist attraction during your stay! Indeed, the town is deeply marked by its history with the emperor. Napoleon was born here on August 15, 1769, and lived here with his family.
What’s more, the museum is beautiful. From a purely aesthetic point of view, you’ll succumb to the wealth of paintings, sculptures and decorative elements on display in the various rooms.
You’ll discover a side of Napoleon we didn’t know before, one that isn’t told in history textbooks!
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit to this house of unparalleled historical importance!
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HERE ARE OUR FAVORITES IN Corsica
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Our must-do boat trip: Exploring the cliffs of Bonifacio
Our favorite towns to stay in:
- Bonifacio near the citadel – see the best rated accommodations
- Porto-Vecchio near the beaches – see top-rated accommodations
- L’Île-Rousse in Balagne – see the best-rated accommodations
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Why visit the Maison Bonaparte in Ajaccio?
Is the Maison Bonaparte worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, we think this museum is worth a visit!
His visit gave us a better understanding of the history of Napoleon, France and Corsica. The house’s authentic architecture, furnishings and period objects took us back to the heart of the 18th century. We enjoyed imagining Napoleon Bonaparte’s childhood in the salons and corridors of this historic monument. Find out more here.
We enjoyed the exhibition, which traces Napoleon’s meteoric rise, from his military beginnings to his coronation as emperor. We were impressed by the wealth of exhibits and documents on display, giving us a better understanding of its major influence on France and Europe.
In fact, this museum features in our article on must-do activities in Ajaccio.
Why is this historic monument so famous?
The historic home of the Bonaparte family is famous for many reasons:
- Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace
Born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, he is one of the most important figures in French history. He was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815, and left his mark on Europe.
- A witness to the history of the Bonaparte family
This family, originally from Corsica, played an important role in France and other European countries. The Maison Bonaparte is a witness to their daily lives in the 18th century.
- One of Corsica’s most visited monuments
The house was converted into a national museum in 1967. The museum features Bonaparte family memorabilia, as well as period furniture, paintings and objets d’art.
- The museum is located in a magnificent setting
In the historic center of Ajaccio, close to the sea. Ajaccio is a magnificent town with many tourist attractions to discover.
Our favorite moments
One of the most memorable moments of our visit to the museum was the discovery of the dining room. The atmosphere of this play transported us into the daily life of the Bonaparte family. We enjoyed imagining the meals and lively conversations that once took place there.
Another highlight was the viewing of the book entitled “Voyage de Leurs Majestés Impériales”. It’s a travel diary from another time, in which stories mingle with lithographs. The scenes depicted allowed us to project ourselves back to the 19th century.
However, what really amazed and fascinated us was the discovery of the Bonapartefamily tree, made from hair. This unique and surprising work of art left us speechless. In this creation, every branch of the tree and all its decorations are made from carefully gathered human hair.
WHERE TO STAY IN Ajaccio
To make the most of Corsica’s capital, it’s best to spend one or more nights here!
Our suggestions:
Option 1: downtown
We recommend..:
- Hotel San Carlu and its panoramic view – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: on the western seafront
We recommend..:
- Hotel Les Mouettes and its pleasant terrace – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: Marina side
We recommend..:
- Best Western Amirauté Hotel, very convenient – see prices, photos and availability
Option 4: Porticcio
We recommend these charming hotels:
- Hotel Suite Home not far from the beach – see prices, photos and availability
See our list of the 12 best hotels in Ajaccio, with our reviews
History in brief
We learned more about Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most influential figures inEuropean history. Find out more here.
- He was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica , to a family of Corsican nobility.
- He received a military education, and his exceptional talents soon propelled him to the pinnacle of power.
- In 1799, he overthrew the government and became France’s First Consul. He reorganized the country, introducing administrative and legal reforms.
- In 1804, Napoleon became Emperor of France. He redrew the map of Europe and extended France’s influence across the continent.
- However, in 1814, following a series of setbacks, he was exiled to Elba and then to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.
We also learned more about the Maison Bonaparte, a witness to the family’s history.
- You’ll discover that the history of this residence dates back to the end of the 15th century. Over the generations, the Bonaparte family settled here, enlarging and embellishing it.
- In the 19th century, the property changed hands several times, finally coming into the hands of Napoleon III in 1852. It was finally transformed into a national museum in 1967.
Access: Maison Bonaparte, Ajaccio, Corsica
Where is the museum?
- Rue Saint-Charles
- Right in downtown Ajaccio
- Near Place de Gaulle
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there?
Located in the pedestrian streets of downtown Ajaccio, you’ll need to walk to the museum entrance. The surrounding streets are narrow and cobbled. During busy periods, the lane quickly becomes congested and difficult to negotiate.
Maison Bonaparte is a 6-minute walk from Port Tino Rossi, where you can catch the shuttle to Porticcio.
- By bus: take lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the local bus network.
Two stops are possible on these lines:
– Place De Gaulle – Piazza De Gaulle is a 6-minute walk away.
– Cathedral, a 3-minute walk away.
Find out more here. - By car: there are several parking lots in the vicinity of the museum.
Parking
The museum has no on-site parking.
The nearest parking lots are
- Q-Park Diamant parking lot, a 3-minute walk away (fee payable)
- Chamber of Commerce parking lot, a 4-minute walk away (chargeable)
THINGS TO DO AROUND ajaccio
Discover all our articles on the region:
- Best things to do in Ajaccio
- Where to stay in Ajaccio
- Luxury hotels in Ajaccio
- Seaside Hotels
- Best restaurants in Ajaccio
- Visit the Palais Fesch (coming soon)
- Visit the Maison Bonaparte (coming soon)
- Best excursions from Ajaccio (coming soon)
- Ajaccio’s most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
- Discover the Sanguinaires Islands (coming soon)
- Rent a car at Ajaccio airport
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
To avoid the summer crowds, it’s best to visit out of season. Otherwise, we advise you to come as soon as the museum opens, to avoid the queue that quickly forms in front of the entrance. It’s also a great way toescape the summer heat.
Length of visit and main difficulties
We recommend you allow 1h30 to 2h for the visit to the Maison Bonaparte.
If you’re an avid reader, you’ll certainly need to allow 2 hours, as there are plenty of informative panels. If you’ve taken the audioguide, the visit is quicker, but you’ll still need to allow at least 1 hour.
The site has many staircases and the floor is somewhat raised, particularly in the cellar. Given the age of the building, the doors are sometimes a little narrow.
People with reduced mobility do not have access to the entire museum.
However, you can visit part of the second floor, the first floor and the temporary exhibition.
Advice on how to visit
The tour begins on the second floor, where paintings, sculptures and other works of art relating to Napoleon’s childhood and youth are on display. With the help of an audio guide, we retraced his youth and his last visit to Ajaccio in 1799.
On the second floor, the rooms are decorated according to the wishes of Letizia, his mother. Here you’ll see some of the finest furniture purchased in 1796. Madame Mère’s drawing room is particularly admirable. Following the direction of the tour, you’ll also pass through the study of Napoleon’s father, the birth room, the dining room, the gallery, etc. Several other rooms are dedicated to the Napoleonic legend, featuring historical objects such as paintings, books and sculptures.
Finally, we ended our visit with a visit to the cellars, which contain a variety of agricultural artefacts linked to the Bonapartes’ past as landowners. Among other things, we discovered the reconstruction of an oil mill.
The garden can be visited at the beginning or end of your visit, as you wish.
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Visiting with children
We think the Maison Bonaparte is an interesting place for children to visit. In fact, it can be a fun, concrete introduction or echo to the concepts taught at school.
A children’s audioguide is available in French and English to ensure a captivating visit for young visitors.
If you’re visiting the museum with your family, please note that strollers and metal-framed baby carriers are not allowed in the museum.
Schedules and rates
The museum is open every day except Monday:
- October 1 to March 31: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (last entry 12 pm) and 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm (last entry 4 pm),
- April 1 to September 30: 10 am to 12:30 pm (last entry 12 pm) and 1:15 pm to 5:30 pm (last entry 5 pm).
As far as ticket prices are concerned, you have to count:
- Full price: €7,
- Reduced rate: €5 (non-EU residents aged 18 to 25, members of large families on presentation of valid proof),
- Free admission for EU residents under 26.
Find out more here.
Guided tours
Guided tours are organized by the Ajaccio Tourist Office.
Before discovering the Maison Bonaparte, the program includes a stroll through the town center. You’ll see the various points of interest in the historic district: the citadel ramparts, the colorful old streets and the cathedral. Allow around 1h45. Find out more here.
Alternatively, an audioguide is included in the price of your ticket.
Catering
The museum’s location in Ajaccio’s city center means you can take advantage of a wide choice of restaurants in the surrounding area.
Here are a few restaurants we’ve really enjoyed:
- Restaurant Le Petit Restaurant
On the corner of a cobbled street in the old town, this address offers a cuisine that favors short circuits and highlights local producers. We were seduced by the chef’s fine, tasty dishes. - Restaurant Marinette
Just a few meters from Ajaccio’s Citadel, this establishment focuses on quality and fresh produce. The cuisine is refined and tasty. The quantities are just right and the cooking is light. - Restaurant L’Écrin
Located close to Place d’Austerlitz, refinement is the watchword here. Fish, meat, vegetables and fruit are transformed into tasty dishes!
For more choice, see our article on the city’s best restaurants.
Start of the tour: Corsica and Napoleon
You’ll discover that Napoleon is an important figure in Corsica. It is an essential symbol of the island’s identity. We learned more about his meteoric rise to power in France. And its central role in European history. His achievements have forged a special pride among the island’s inhabitants.
Before entering the house, we invite you to take a look at the façade. The 3-storey building is decorated with the Bonaparte coat of arms and bears a marble plaque commemorating the emperor’s birth.
Corsica in the 18th century
Our tour begins on the second floor. The exhibition presents elements that will give you a better understanding of the political and social context in which the Bonaparte family evolved.
We discover that the Genoese Republic ruled Corsica for almost 3 centuries. This led to periodic rebellions by the local population, which intensified from 1729 onwards. That same year, France supported the creation of a French party on the island, while encouraging aspirations for independence.
This part of the exhibition reveals portraits of important figures in Corsican history. For example, Pascal Paoli, nicknamed “General of the Corsicans”, was one of the campaigners for Corsican independence.
The Bonaparte family: the story of a rise
During the rest of our visit, we learned that the Bonaparte family came from humble beginnings. During the Genoese period, they led a low-key existence as small landowners, generally trading wine and wheat with Genoa.
We meet Napoleon’s parents:
- Charles Bonaparte (1746-1785), lawyer and politician in Ajaccio. Although poor, he aspired to social distinction and mastered French, a rare asset at the time. He played an important role in the Corsican resistance against the French occupation.
- Letizia Ramolino (1750-1836) was the daughter of an Inspector General of Civil Engineering. Uneducated, she was nevertheless an intelligent, ambitious woman who instilled in her children a sense of duty and love of country.
In 1769, the family owned only the second floor of this house. We understand that despite their modest farm income, Charles has high social ambitions. As for Napoleon’s mother, she juggled a social life with raising their 8 children.
You’ll see that thanks to Napoleon’s exploits, which we’ll look at next, the Bonaparte family’srise to prominence was meteoric. In just a few years, an ordinary Corsican family has become one of the most powerful in Europe.
Napoleon: training and early career
We were amazed to learn that Napoleon left Corsica in 1778 at just 9 years of age to begin his military studies on the mainland.
You’ll discover an illustration of the emperor’s childhood, helping us to better project his early years. “The snowball fight at Brienne”, the military school where he attended, is depicted in lithograph form.
We learned that at just 16, Napoleon was already a lieutenant! He learns the soldier’s trade and steadily rises in rank.
In the part of the exhibition dedicated to the young Bonaparte’s early career, you’ll find a wealth of objects and illustrations. In particular, one of his first swords.
Gradually, he turned away from the Corsican independentists and adopted the republican ideas of the Revolution.
Continuation of the tour: decor and furniture of the First Empire
In 1796, Napoleon’s mother undertook a complete refurnishing of the house. The furniture, fabrics, decorations and wallpapers you can see in the museum date from this period. We’ve learned that Letizia ordered them in Italy and Marseille, with financial help from her children. The house became one of the most beautiful in Ajaccio! What do you think?
During your visit, you’ll pass through many rooms filled with beautiful period furniture and objects. We’ve chosen to tell you about just 2 pieces, the ones that made the biggest impression on us.
Napoleon’s birthplace
Visit Napoleon’s birthplace! It is said that he was born in this room on August 15, 1769.
You’ll be able to admire some very fine period furniture. We loved the late 18th-century chest of drawers, adorned with stone and marble.
During our stay in Ajaccio, we heard a story about this room. She recounts how, in the early 19th century, the nursery was one of the strongest places of memory in Europe. So much so that the soldiers of the great army would come and kiss the floor of this room, transformed into a veritable shrine to the Napoleonic cult.
The dining room
We really enjoyed discovering the dining room. This historic room has retained its original layout.
This authenticity allowed us to imagine the time when the Bonaparte family gathered around this table. A glimpse of the lively conversations that may have taken place there.
The wall decor and green fabric were redone identically:
- the faux white marble wallpaper matches an original sample found in 1957 when some old mirrors were removed.
- the green velvet decorated with pansies that covers the chairs and table was also reconstructed from old fragments found in the house.
Discovering the evolution of the Bonaparte family
After the heyday of Napoleon’s reign, the Bonaparte family faced challenges and setbacks. Its members have been exiled, prosecuted or distanced from politics. However, you’ll see that the house has remained a tangible witness to their heritage, triumphs and trials.
A few years after Napoleon’s death, in 1852, Napoleon III, son of Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon’s younger brother), acquired the house. At that time, the house was empty. However, we learned that he was determined to bring the birthplace of his ancestors back to life. You can admire the beautification work he has carried out. In particular, the ceiling decorations were refurbished by Corsican artist Jérôme Maglioli. Find out more here.
Today, the Maison Bonaparte in Ajaccio remains an important historical site, having offered us a fascinating insight into the evolution and legacy of this family. It’s also a poignant testimony to his lasting influence on the course of history.
This part of the tour is dedicated to the Napoleonic legend. Here you’ll discover historic objects such as paintings, books and sculptures. Among them, 2 stood out for us.
The “Voyage of Their Imperial Majesties” book
We loved looking at the book “Voyage de Leurs Majestés Impériales dans le sud-est de la France en Corse et en Algérie”.
It’s a tourist reportage in images in the France and Algeria of the Second Empire. It retraces the journey of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.
The cartoonists followed them around like news reporters reporting the highlights of the leaders’ travels. They then recounted the receptions, visits, landscapes and crowds encountered at each stage.
Looking through the book, you’ll discover cities, decorated cathedrals, town hall receptions, wild excursions and more. All depicted in lithographs.
This album takes us on a journey through a cheerful France, decked out to welcome its sovereigns.
The hair family tree
We were amazed when we discovered the Bonaparte family tree, made from hair. It’s a unique and fascinating work of art created by Dr. Polazzi’s daughter Élise in 1979.
Here you’ll discover the Bonaparte lineage spanning several generations. This work was created using only human hair and cut and painted paper.
This type of meticulous work was very fashionable from the reign of Louis-Philippe onwards. They were made by amateurs or specialized craftsmen.
We really enjoyed this singular, delicate work. Flowery details, butterflies and birds are well represented. The finesse and precision of Elise’s work are admirable. In fact, it’s one of the museum’s most popular pieces.
End of visit: heritage of a modest past and garden
The tour comes to an end. We discovered a side of Napoleon that we didn’t know, the one that isn’t told in books! We didn’t know, for example, that he came from modest parents. They lived on low incomes, derived in part from working the land.
Agricultural objects
We ended our visit with a tour of the cellars, which contain farming implements linked to the Bonapartes’ past as landowners. Among the objects we discovered were millstones and jars. You’ll also see a reconstructed oil mill.
As well as evoking the agricultural past of the Bonaparte family, these tools will help you project yourself into the rural Corsica of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
We also saw a model of the house in which the emperor lived on the island of St. Helena, from 1815 until his death in 1821.
The garden, L’Aiglon’s haven of peace
We end our visit to this place steeped in history with the garden. Nestled in the heart of the old town, you’ll discover this oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Adorned with fruit trees and Mediterranean plants, it’s an invitation to stroll and contemplate.
It was created following a deed of 1805 which stipulated that the Ajaccio mansion was ceded to Letizia’s cousin, André Ramolino. Within 2 years, he was obliged to create, at his own expense, a square in front of the house. This is the origin of the garden.
It’s where we met L’Aiglon. Nickname given to Napoleon’s son, Napoléon François Joseph Charles Bonaparte, born on March 20, 1811 and died on July 22, 1832. A bronze bust erected in his honor stands on a marble pillar. You may notice that he seems to be calmly watching over his family’s home.
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