Just passing through Ajaccio? Take the opportunity to visit the Naporama Museum! It retraces the life of Napoleon Bonaparte with the help of small children’s figurines. They are hand-personalized by members of a local association. We really enjoyed this place, which is both educational and fun. It’s ideal for learning history while having fun!
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Naporama Museum?
Is the museum worth it? Our opinion:
Although very small, the Naporama Museum is well worth a visit. We were captivated by the 23 miniature scenes depicting the key moments in Napoleon I’s life. Over 800 personalized, hand-painted Playmobil figures bring these historical reconstructions to life, based on period lithographs. This is one of the best activities in Ajaccio to discover with your children, both educational and fun!
Our favorite moments
During our visit, we were particularly interested in 3 dioramas:
- The coronation of Napoleon I in 1804
- Crossing the Great St Bernard Pass in 1800
- The re-enactment of the 1780 Brienne snowball fight
By way of background, a diorama is a presentation device used to recreate a scene.
WHERE TO STAY IN Ajaccio
In the city center:
Hotel San Carlu and its panoramic view – see photos and availability
On the western seafront:
Hôtel Les Mouettes and its very pleasant terrace – see photos and availability
Marina side:
Best Western Amirauté Hotel, very practical – see photos and availability
In Porticcio:
Suite Home Hotel near the beach – see photos and availability
See our list of the 12 best hotels in Ajaccio, with our reviews
Access: Naporama Museum, Ajaccio
Where is the museum?
- In the capital of Corsica
- Right in downtown Ajaccio
- At 13 Rue Forcioli Conti
- Between the Miollis Citadel and Ajaccio Cathedral
- Near Maison Bonaparte
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?
If you’re already in Ajaccio’s city center, you can walk straight there. It is located in a small street overlooking the citadel.
Alternatively, the museum is easily reached by bus on the local Muvistrada network. Get off at the “Place de Gaulle” stop, then walk for 5 minutes. Find out more here.
Parking
Parking du Diamant is just a 3-minute walk from the museum.
THINGS TO DO AROUND ajaccio
Discover all our articles on the region:
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
To avoid the summer crowds, it’s best to visit outside July and August. However, it’s difficult to get around school vacations if you want to take your children. We recommend that you come at quieter times of the year to take full advantage of the explanations offered by the receptionist.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 30 minutes for your visit, or even longer if the receptionist tells you the story behind the dioramas.
The museum consists of a single room with a rather narrow central passageway, which is not ideal for wheelchair users.
Advice on how to visit
As the showroom is very small, there is no set direction for visitors. You can follow a chronological order, or let yourself be guided by the explanations of a member of the association.
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Schedules and rates
The museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 5pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm (closed Sundays and Mondays). More up-to-date info on the official website here.
Admission costs €4 for adults and €2 for children. Bring cash with you.
Guided tours
As the museum is run by an association, the person in charge of reception is also responsible for giving guided tours, depending on the number of visitors. She’ll explain the major scenes in Napoleon’s life. We loved this experience!
Catering
There are no food outlets in the museum, but there are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity. We recommend Le Petit Restaurant, a 3-minute walk away, which features in our selection of the best restaurants in Ajaccio!
Original staging
Through 23 dioramas, this small museum retraces the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. It features iconic moments from the emperor’s life, with the help of famous figurines you’re sure to recognize! The period lithographs served not only as inspiration, but also as textures covering the models themselves. You’ll discover reconstructions ranging from his birth to the siege of Toulon, via the Egyptian campaign.
A diorama of the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte
Jacques-Louis David’s famous painting, The Rite of Napoleon, takes on a new dimension in this playful museum. We were impressed by the fidelity of the reconstruction, made entirely from small hand-painted figurines by enthusiasts. Have fun looking for the differences between the 2 works with your kids!
Fun games for children
The Naporama Museum is sure to appeal to children with its original, playful approach. It’s a fun way to learn about history! Small games have been specially designed for the youngest visitors.
They can also look for famous characters, like Scoobydoo or Maléfique, mischievously hidden in certain scenes! Young visitors will love these re-enactments, which bring Napoleon’s battles to life with the help of toys. A great way to awaken a passion for history?
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
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Where to stay
