Discover the Isles Sanguinaires by boat

Over the years, several hypotheses have been put forward as to the origin of the name of these 4 islets off the Gulf of Ajaccio. While sanguinaire refers to blood and its red colour, some believe that the name refers to the red of the flora that makes up the archipelago's landscape. In fact, two species of plant found on the site, frankenias and nivéoles, are small pinkish flowers that form a carpet on the ground. What's more, sunset and its sepia-toned light can accentuate the warm colours of the Isles Sanguinaires. Another hypothesis refers to Sagone, a small village in the Gulf of Ajaccio. More precisely, a map dated 1595 names the archipelago "Sagonares insulae", in other words "the islands that announce Sagone".

The Isles Sanguinaires are located in the Mediterranean, at the entrance of the Ajaccio Gulf. The archipelago is made up of 4 islets called :

• Mezu Mare or - Grande Sanguinaire
• Cormorants or Isolotto
• Cala d'Alga
• Porri

The archipelago is made up of what is known as porphyry, a magmatic rock formation with large crystals. Some describe them as dark red.

It seems that before the first explorers arrived, the Isles Sanguinaires were uninhabited by man for a long time. The famous writer Alphonse Daudet lived on the Isles Sanguinaires for a time. He described the life and buildings of the archipelago in his work "Les lettres de mon moulin", writing: "the Sanguinaires lighthouse, over there on the Corsican coast, at the entrance of the Gulf of Ajaccio. Another pretty spot I'd found to dream and be alone. Just imagine a reddish, fierce-looking island.

👉 The Parata tower

In 1551, the Genoese built the Parata tower, located on the Corsican shores. The 12 m-high tower can still be seen from where the boats leave. It's a great vantage point with an orientation table for admiring the Isles Sanguinaires.

👉 The semaphore on the island of Mezu Mare

In 1806, a sanitary station and lazaretto were built on the main island of the archipelago, called Mezu Mare or Grande Sanguinaire. The lazaretto was designed to quarantine coral fishermen returning from Africa, to prevent the spread of disease. The building also houses a semaphore, a coastal defence post.

👉 Mezu Mare lighthouse

The lighthouse, which is still in use, was built in 1870. It was automated in 1985, the year the last resident left the island.

The Isles Sanguinaires are a veritable refuge for certain species of flora and fauna. Every year, colonies of seabirds rest there in complete tranquillity, notably the Yellow-legged Gull and, more rarely, the Common Shearwater, the Black-headed Gull and Audouin's Gull. Mezu Mare has a rich and abundant flora, with over 150 species of plant. Some of these species are very rare and sometimes even absent from the rest of Corsica or France, such as the spectacular arum flower that eats flies, with its nauseating odour.

There are several ways to reach the site by boat. We can recommend the "Neptune Croisière" company, based in Ajaccio. Departing from the port of Ajaccio, the boat takes us to see the Sanguinaires islands. On these islands, you will be offered a meal and wine platter. Finally, the escapade ends with the observation of a sunset over the sea. Several excursions are available to discover Corsica by sea.