Car & Van Hire - Ajaccio

The capital of Corsica is rich in both history and natural surroundings. Whether you're coming to see the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte or just want to relax on a white sand beach, you're in luck. This Mediterranean island is one of Europe's most enchanting destinations, and you're sure to fall in love with its beauty and atmosphere.

Car hire in Ajaccio allows you to enjoy one of the city's top attractions: the Route des Sanguinaires. The name of this rugged road translates as Road of the Bloodthirsty Ones and dates back to the 16th century when Corsica was regularly plundered by Barbary pirates. You'll have an epic drive along this twisted road that hugs the curves of the rocky coastline, with stunning views of the beaches and the nearby Sanguinaires Islands. At the end of the road is the rocky outcrop of Pointe de la Parata, topped with a sturdy old watchtower built to defend the coast against the pirates. Today, you'll find a restaurant close to the watchtower, where you can enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch before driving back to the city.

There's plenty to see within Ajaccio itself, with the city's top attraction being Maison Bonaparte. This building was home to the Bonaparte family from the 17th century until the early 20th, and Napoleon was born here. The house contains original Bonaparte family furniture. For more Napoleonic history, visit the Salons Napoléoniens at the town hall. This is a collection of artwork, medals and memorabilia from Napoleon's life, including the old register recording his baptism. It's a fascinating glimpse into the early days of a man who came close to conquering all of Europe.

Enough history for one day? No problem. With car or van hire in Ajaccio, you can also visit some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. Plage d'Argent has clear water that's perfect for snorkelling and soft white sands. Plage de Capo di Feno is a wild, rocky beach with great waves for surfers. This is a good choice if you want to get off the beaten track, as it's not as family-friendly as other nearby beaches.

Don't neglect the inland parts of Corsica. For something totally different, head to the artificial lake of Lac de Tolla. Here you can enjoy all the fun of a freshwater, lakeside beach. There are also great hiking trails. One of the best leads to the Tête de Mort, an enormous rock that looks rather like a giant skull. Local legend claims it is the skull of Satan himself!

There are several large car parks around Ajaccio, including near seaside attractions like the Citadel Pier or the Tino Rossi Port. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. From Monday to Saturday, parking is charged from 09:00 to 12:00 and again from 14:00 to 19:00. It's a good idea to carry cash, as parking meters may not always accept cards. Alternatively, there is an app you can use to pay for your parking with your mobile.

Ajaccio depends largely on the tourist industry. As such, you'll see more cars on the roads if you're visiting in the peak summer months. Most beaches have their own car parks. In high season, make sure you get there early to be sure you'll find a space. If you leave it too late, you may struggle to find a spot to park.

Around Ajaccio, you will find a large number of speedbumps. This is common to all towns and cities on Corsica. You'll even encounter them in small villages. The Corsican people have been vocally opposed to tourists driving dangerously, so the speedbumps are designed to force safer behaviour on the roads.

Generally, Corsica's roads are very curvy. This is a particularly mountainous island, and straight roads are few and far between. The roads are not especially narrow, but you may have problems overtaking other vehicles, particularly in the summer months when coach trips are common. Most roads are in good condition, but access roads leading to beaches are often in a poor state. Go slowly over these bumpy roads, as potholes are a frequent problem.

Although the roads are bendy, they are rarely dangerous. There are a few points where you will need to be particularly cautious: the Calanques de Piana carved out of rock. The narrow roads on the west coast of Cap Corse and the narrow, dizzying drive through the Restonica Valley. It's a good idea to get up early if you'd like to take any of these roads, as this way, you'll minimise your chances of meeting other vehicles on these very narrow passes.

Across Corsica, animals are a common sight on the roads. Watch out for pigs, cows, donkeys and goats. These creatures often seem to be in no great hurry, but don't honk your horn at them - they may respond aggressively. Instead, you'll just need to wait for them to move on.