Phare des îles Sanguinaires, Maritime navigation lighthouse on Mezu Mare island near Ajaccio, France
The Phare des îles Sanguinaires is a lighthouse standing on a rocky island off Ajaccio and rises approximately 37 meters in height. Its white tower with red bands emits light signals visible from up to 23 nautical miles away.
The structure replaced an older Genoese tower in 1844 to improve maritime safety after numerous shipwrecks occurred along this coast. Since then it has served as a vital navigation aid for vessels traveling through these waters.
The islands take their name from the reddish glow of their rocky shores at sunset, a visual quality that gives the place its distinctive character. This natural phenomenon has shaped how locals and visitors perceive the area over time.
The lighthouse is best reached by boat, either through guided tours departing from Ajaccio or by hiking along the cliffs at Pointe de la Parata. Access from shore works best during calm weather, which allows for safer boat departures and clearer views of the islands.
The four volcanic islands contain around 150 plant species, including a rare arum species found nowhere else on Earth. This botanical diversity makes the location a special natural preserve that extends well beyond its role as a navigation beacon.
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