The tower sits at an elevation of 55 metres (180 ft) on a rocky promontory, the Pointe de la Parata, to the north-east of the Îles Sanguinaires archipelago.

It was one of a series of coastal defences constructed by the Republic of Genoa between 1530 and 1620 to stem the attacks by Barbary pirates.

[2] In Genoese documents the tower is called the Sanguinera di Terra.

[3] The Grande Sanguinaire tower was demolished in the 19th century when the existing lighthouse was constructed.

[4] A second small tower at the south-west end of the Grande Sanguinaire island has survived.