Maréchal Foch Square

The Place du Maréchal Foch, in Ajaccio

The Place du Maréchal Foch, commonly called Place des Palmiers, is a fine shaded square open onto the port, dominated by the statue of Napoleon as first consul. The Ajaccio audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this vast rectangle planted with palm trees, one of the most charming squares of the town, neighbouring the town hall.

The Place des Palmiers and the statue of the first consul

Commonly called Place des Palmiers, the Place du Maréchal Foch was created at the beginning of the nineteenth century to mark the start of the faubourg that led to the old Genoese town. A vast rectangle shaded with palm trees and open onto the port, it offers one of the prettiest pictures of Ajaccio. Overlooking it, the gaze fixed on the sea, stands the statue of Napoleon represented as first consul, guarded by a fountain with four reclining lions. This marble is the work of the Italian sculptor Maximilien Laboureur; bought by Cardinal Fesch and bequeathed to the town at his death, it was placed on a base engraved with allegories and inaugurated on 5 May 1850, for the anniversary of the death of the emperor. White marble, blue sky, palm trees and colourful façades compose here a Mediterranean picture to immortalise. A little lower, on the left, stands the fine façade of the town hall, an elegant square house built at the beginning of the nineteenth century, known for its richly decorated state room. Lined with small restaurants and embellished with benches, the square is a pleasant place of life, where you like to linger in the shade of the palm trees. A shaded square and a setting of the consular statue, the Place du Maréchal Foch is a fine stop of the discovery of Ajaccio.

What to see

You admire the vast rectangle shaded with palm trees open onto the port, dominated by the statue of Napoleon as first consul, work of the Italian sculptor Laboureur, bought by Cardinal Fesch, placed on a base of allegories and inaugurated on 5 May 1850, guarded by a fountain with four reclining lions; nearby stands the fine façade of the town hall and its state room. The Place du Maréchal Foch is one of the most charming of Ajaccio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Place du Maréchal Foch lies in the heart of Ajaccio, open onto the port, on the edge of the old town, reachable on foot. It is a freely accessible public square, shaded with palm trees, lined with small restaurants and neighbouring the town hall. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

What do you see on the Place du Maréchal Foch in Ajaccio?

A vast rectangle shaded with palm trees open onto the port, dominated by the statue of Napoleon as first consul, work of the Italian sculptor Laboureur bought by Cardinal Fesch and inaugurated on 5 May 1850, guarded by a fountain with four reclining lions; nearby stands the fine façade of the town hall, known for its state room.

Where is the Place du Maréchal Foch in Ajaccio?

In the heart of Ajaccio, open onto the port, on the edge of the old town, in Corsica.