The tower was part of a chain of 90 Genoese towers built along the Corsican coastline between the 15th and 18th centuries.
The name 'Sanguinaires' is not derived from blood (sang), but likely from the 'sanguinari' coral or the red tint of the rocks at sunset.
Its primary function was to signal the approach of pirate vessels to the Ajaccio citadel using fire and smoke signals.
The site remains one of the few locations where the rare endemic flora of Corsica can be observed in a protected environment.
The tower is built from locally sourced granite blocks, matching the surrounding geological composition of the peninsula.
The Tour Génoise de la Parata is a 16th-century stone watchtower positioned on a granite promontory at the entrance of the Gulf of Ajaccio. It was constructed in 1550 by the Republic of Genoa as part of a strategic coastal defense network against Barbary pirate raids. The structure features a circular base and stands on the Parata peninsula, which is a protected natural site. Visitors access the site via a paved trail that winds through Mediterranean scrubland and granite rock formations. The tower itself remains closed to interior public access for preservation, but serves as a viewpoint for the Sanguinaires Islands. It is the final land-based point before the Sanguinaires archipelago begins. The area is classified as a Grand Site de France, reflecting its ecological and historical significance.
From the trail path looking back toward the tower with the Sanguinaires Islands in the background.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the uneven granite pathways surrounding the base.
Bring binoculars for a clearer view of the Mezu Mare island lighthouse.
Carry plenty of water as there are no retail facilities directly at the tower site.
Do not attempt to swim in the currents between the peninsula and the islands, which are notoriously dangerous.
The tower interior is permanently closed to the public; the exterior site is accessible year-round.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile endemic plant species; do not climb on the tower ruins.
