Palais Fesch, Ajaccio

The Palais Fesch is a neoclassical building with multiple floors housing over 350 paintings, including works by major Italian artists from the medieval period through the Baroque era. A chapel and a public library with thousands of volumes occupy the same building complex.

A high-ranking church official and Napoleon's relative spent his lifetime gathering thousands of artworks and left this collection to his city after his death in the mid-19th century. His inherited art collection was then established as a public museum and remains a significant repository of paintings today.

The palace bears the name of its founder, a high-ranking churchman from the Napoleonic era, and its interior reflects the tastes of French and Italian aristocracy from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can see how wealth and power shaped the selection of artworks displayed on every wall.

The museum spans multiple floors and comfortable shoes are recommended for exploring all areas. Guided tours are available during warmer months and help visitors understand the collections better, while the attached library is also open to visitors.

A chapel within the complex contains tombs in black marble holding two family members from the Napoleonic era and features muted painted decorations. This quiet chamber reveals how personal and familial the history of this place truly is.

Location: Ajaccio

Inception: 1850

Founders: Joseph Fesch

Official opening: 1852

Address: 48 bis, rue Cardinal-Fesch

Phone: +33495262626

Website: https://musee-fesch.com

GPS coordinates: 41.92167,8.73833

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45