Corsica’s museums are often the best places to understand the island before heading out to explore it. All of them are open in 2026. Opening hours change with the season: check each museum’s official website before you go.
Museums in Ajaccio
The Palais Fesch, the fine arts museum, grew out of the bequest of Cardinal Fesch, Napoleon’s uncle. Its collection of Italian paintings is the second largest in France after the Louvre’s. Practical information on musee-fesch.com.
The Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon’s birthplace, is a national museum. It is closed on Mondays. Practical information on the website of the Malmaison national museums. See also visiting Ajaccio.
Museum in Bastia
The Bastia museum, housed in the Governors’ Palace in the citadel, tells the story of the town. Practical information on musee.bastia.corsica. See visiting Bastia.
Museum in Corte
The Museum of Corsica (Museu di a Corsica), in the citadel, opened in June 1997. It presents the island’s life and traditions through the ethnographic collections of Father Doazan, and hosts temporary exhibitions. The ticket also gives access to the citadel’s eagle’s nest. Practical information on museudiacorsica.corsica. See visiting Corte.
Museum in Aléria
The Jérôme-Carcopino archaeology museum, in the Matra fort, displays finds from the ancient city of Aleria, next to the museum. Practical information on the website of the Collectivité de Corse (Corsica’s regional authority).
Museum in Sartène
The Corsican archaeology museum, on boulevard Jacques-Nicolaï, covers the island’s prehistory and protohistory. Practical information on the website of the Collectivité de Corse. See visiting Sartène.
Museum in Levie
The Alta Rocca museum, in the Pratu quarter, presents the archaeology and history of this small area at the foot of Bavella. Practical information on the website of the Collectivité de Corse.
Museum in Cervione
The Anton Dumenicu Monti museum, run by the ADECEC association, is devoted to traditional life in the Castagniccia and on the east coast. See its page on the website of the Agence du tourisme de la Corse (the Corsican tourist board).
Museum in Sollacaro: Filitosa
The prehistoric site of Filitosa, discovered in 1946, holds statue-menhirs; a small museum displays the finds. Practical information and guided tours on filitosa.fr. See visiting Propriano.
