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From Ajaccio to Waterloo Following in Napoleon’s Footsteps It is nearly impossible to escape Napoleon’s presence in Ajaccio France. The power of the Bonaparte family has never faded, and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte remains an ever-present figure in the capital of the island of Corsica belonging to France. And when one visits Waterloo, not far from Belgium’s capital, Brussels, it is to imagine the final battle of the emperor often regarded as one of France’s greatest. Even at the waiting area of the international airport, a bust of Napoleon greets visitors. The airport, located about five kilometers east of Ajaccio’s port, has been renamed Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte, replacing its former name, "Campo dell’Oro." Once inside the city, one quickly notices that Napoleon’s statues and images are everywhere. He can be seen standing alone, alongside a lion, or even with a woman. There are statues of Napoleon on horseback, cast in bronze or carved from marble. At night, his statues glow under the bright beams of spotlights, keeping his legacy illuminated. Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, is Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace. Situated on the rugged western coast of Corsica, Ajaccio has managed to maintain a balance between its past as a fishing village and its present as an administrative center. This balance has made it a tourist magnet, even before mass tourism became a phenomenon. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, massive cruise ships regularly docked in Ajaccio’s port, bringing in waves of visitors who would flood the city in large numbers. In Ajaccio, we chose to stay in the foreign quarter, renting a spacious Airbnb for two. Since it was in the city center, the price was steep—$100 per night, double the rate of accommodations in the suburbs. According to historical records, the last 30 years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century marked the golden age of this international quarter, as Ajaccio expanded southward. Without taking time to freshen up, still carrying the scent of crowded airports and packed flights, we headed straight out to explore. Wandering through the foreign quarter alone was already worth the trip. This beautiful district is dotted with grand mansions, luxury hotels, and charming villas lining pine tree-shaded streets that stretch all the way to Ajaccio’s port. In the 19th century, many aristocratic European families owned second homes here, which is how the area earned the name "the foreign quarter." Napoleon is ever-present. In the expansive Général-de-Gaulle Square, which opens toward the harbor, a statue of Napoleon stands in Roman attire, flanked by equally grand statues of his brothers. Each figure exudes an air of authority. Yet the most fascinating sight - still tied to Napoleon - is the location that separates the foreign quarter from the rest of the city. It is perched on a hill. While a tram ticket could have taken us there, we opted to save money and embrace the challenge of a leisurely uphill walk, treating it as a bit of exercise.
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provence, rhone, nature, avignon, bridge, south france, summer, flow, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon
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scooter, vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, locomotion, vespa, city life, downtown, france, avignon, scooter, motorcycle, bicycle, bicycle, bicycle, city life, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon
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