We have to stand up and say with one voice - give up your weapons and end the terrorism

Dominique Bucchini, mayor

The bombers were targeting Jean-Simon's father, Dominique - the town's mayor and, for 25 years, an outspoken critic of nationalist violence.

Like his son, he is cautiously optimistic about what has been called the Matignon deal - a plan which will allow Corsica to pass some of its own laws, although the parliament in Paris will retain a veto.

'Farewell to arms'

"Now is the time for all of us Corsicans to be strong," he says.

"Whether we're nationalists or not, we have to stand up and say with one voice - 'give up your weapons and end the terrorism'.

"It's time to say farewell to arms"

But the omens are not good. Last week, nationalists buried one of their former leaders, Jean-Michel Rossi, who was gunned down in broad daylight after naming names in the underground movement.

And this weekend a bomb destroyed part of a government building in the island's capital Ajaccio. All major nationalist parties have condemned both incidents.

Political gamble

But Corsican journalist Charles Lambroschini says the violence shows the government's plans are doomed.

"This was a demonstration that you can't have a deal with the Corsican nationalists because there will always be a gang that tries to get more from the government, because they feel the government is dealing with them from a position of weakness," he says.

Mr Rossi: Thought to have supported peace effort

It is an awkward time for French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. He has taken a political gamble by granting concessions to the Corsican nationalists - many of whom have close links to the island's powerful local mafias.

But he has support from Corsica's most famous family - in the shape of Charles Napoleon, descendant of the emperor's brother:

"Before this agreement, we had very few opportunities to build our own future," says Mr Napoleon.

"It means that in the way of development of institution, economy and culture, we have new perspectives"

Lessons from UK

For years, this businessman - formerly known as Prince Napoleon - has been on a crusade to improve Corsica's image abroad. Now he is standing for mayor of Ajaccio and wants to turn the island into an affluent regional power.

And - believe it or not - this Napoleon says France can learn a lesson or two from the UK.

"Devolution in your country has brought peace," he says, referring to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.

"Also it brought opportunity to these countries to have their own parliaments and to build their future close to England, in Europe but their own way.

"And that's a form of development we want to see happening in Corsica."

The fate of the Corsican agreement will have echoes around the French mainland. If it is a success, autonomy movements around France may try to negotiate their own deals with the centre.

Devolution has never been a government policy here, but it could become one by default