A square tower, it is approximately 9 metres (30 ft) tall and has views over Lake Geneva.

Some believe that the tower was built in the 9th century by Queen Berthe of Souabe to protect the Lavaux from the Saracens.

The first mention of the tower in the historical record can be found in a document from 1279 under the Latin name "Castrum Gurzi".

[1] The tower was destroyed by fire in the beginning of the 14th century after a conflict involving the bishops of Lausanne.

Due to its wide-ranging views of the surrounding area, the tower has been used extensively as a geodetic datum.