Lantivy Palace

The Palais Lantivy, in Ajaccio

The Palais Lantivy is a fine neoclassical building of yellow colour, surrounded by a garden, that shelters the seat of the prefecture of Corsica, on the Cours Napoléon. The Ajaccio audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this nineteenth-century monument, partially classified historic monument, that keeps in its hall a rare antique sarcophagus.

The prefecture of Corsica and the sarcophagus of the Good Shepherd

This fine yellow neoclassical building, standing in the middle of its garden of tropical essences, is the Palais Lantivy, seat of the prefecture of Corsica and residence of the prefects of the region. Its construction, authorised by royal ordinance in 1822, was carried out from the plans of the architect Alphonse de Gisors and completed in 1830. The building bears the name of Gabriel de Lantivy de Kerveno, prefect of Corsica in office at that time. Originally, the palace comprised only the central body; the two lateral wings are more recent. Partially classified historic monument, it keeps in its entrance hall a true curiosity: the sarcophagus called of the Good Shepherd, a vestige of the third century in Carrara marble, discovered in 1938 in the Saint-Jean district, in the property of mister Manganelli, who donated it to the archaeological association of Corsica. This precious witness of late Antiquity, adorned with the figure of the Good Shepherd, one of the oldest Christian symbols, adds to the prestige of the place. With its fine ochre façade, its verdant garden and its role of administrative heart of the island, the Palais Lantivy is one of the great buildings of the Cours Napoléon. A prefectural palace and a setting of an antique treasure, the Palais Lantivy is a fine stop of the discovery of Ajaccio.

What to see

You admire the fine yellow neoclassical building, surrounded by its tropical garden, seat of the prefecture of Corsica, built from 1822 to 1830 on the plans of Alphonse de Gisors and named after the prefect Gabriel de Lantivy de Kerveno; partially classified historic monument, it keeps in its hall the sarcophagus of the Good Shepherd, vestige of the third century in Carrara marble. The Palais Lantivy is a great building of the Cours Napoléon. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Palais Lantivy lies on the Cours Napoléon, in the heart of Ajaccio, reachable on foot. It is an administrative building in activity, seat of the prefecture, whose façade and garden you admire from the cours; the interior access follows the conditions of the prefecture, which vary. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

What is the Palais Lantivy in Ajaccio?

A fine yellow neoclassical building, surrounded by a tropical garden, seat of the prefecture of Corsica, built from 1822 to 1830 on the plans of Alphonse de Gisors and named after the prefect Gabriel de Lantivy de Kerveno; partially classified historic monument, it keeps in its hall the sarcophagus of the Good Shepherd, vestige of the third century in Carrara marble.

Where is the Palais Lantivy in Ajaccio?

On the Cours Napoléon, in the heart of Ajaccio, in Corsica.