Musée d'archéologie de la Corse
Archaeology museum in Sartène: prehistory, the Bronze Age, Roman times and the Middle Ages in Corsica, with numerous statue-menhirs.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of the Centre de préhistoire corse, whose collections it took over. Today it presents an overview of the island's archaeology, from the first settlements nearly 10,000 years ago to the end of the Genoese period in the 15th century.
The most important holdings concern prehistory, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age: weapons, ceramics, tools and ornaments. The museum also holds a large collection of statue-menhirs, a major element of Corsican and Mediterranean megalithism. Roman times, notably through underwater archaeology, and the Middle Ages are represented by crafts, sculpture, ceramics and ammunition.
The route traces the history of settlement on Corsica, at the heart of the Mediterranean. As the museum receives the material from most excavations carried out on the island, it shows the current state of archaeological research. The visit complements that of Corsica's great megalithic sites, such as Cauria.
The recent building stands at the top of the old town, next to the former prison, and offers a view over the Gulf of Valinco. The museum belongs to the Collectivité de Corse.
Highlights
- Large collection of statue-menhirs
- Prehistory, Bronze Age and Iron Age: weapons, ceramics, tools and ornaments
- Underwater archaeology from Roman times
- Medieval objects: crafts, sculpture, ceramics, ammunition
- View over the Gulf of Valinco from the old town
- Founded
- 1977
- Operated by
- Collectivité de Corse
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3People over 65, young people aged 10 to 25, students, groups of 10 or more, families of 4 or more. |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 9 · Free for under-10s; reduced rate for ages 10 to 25. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced rate from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Reduced rate. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of 10 or more; school groups enter free. |
| Families | €3Reduced rate for families of 4 or more. |
| Tour operator | €2.50 |
| Visit with a tour guide (in addition to admission) | €6 |
Free admission also for job seekers, young people under 25 living in Corsica, tour guides, teachers, heritage professionals, holders of ICOM/ICOMOS cards, members of the Amis des musées de Corse and staff of the Collectivité de Corse. Payment by bank card, cheque payable to the Trésor public, or cash.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 9 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €3 · Reduced rate for families of 4 or more. |
A reduced rate applies to families of 4 or more.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Two car parks are listed: Bassaccia, paid in high season, about 10 minutes' walk with a slight uphill climb; Lycée, free, about 5 minutes' walk downhill.
Via the T40: from Ajaccio (towards Bonifacio) about 2 hours; from Bonifacio (towards Ajaccio) about 1 hour; from Porto-Vecchio via the D859 and then the T40 about 1 hour; from Bocca di Bavedda via the D268 and then the T40 about 1 hour.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits with a tour guide can be booked at the museum reception, by phone or by email. Tour operators and the public services department have dedicated contacts. The official page states that reservations are mandatory. |
