It is the surrounding pink granite which gave the name of Red Island to this town based in 1758 by Pascal Paoli in the purpose asserted competing with the Genoese cities of Calvi and Algajola. Especially, this one absolutely wanted to by-pass the blockade practice by its Genoese opponents on the city of Calvi. At the beginning of the XIX-th century the Red Island obtained the status of municipality.

Today, this one became one of the first sea resorts of Corsica. So it is possible to go on one of three beaches in the city center . The summer, it becomes in a sense an Italian fief so much the transalpins tourists seem to appreciate this town.

The most interesting places to be visited are the place Paoli (of the name of its founder) which is the place living on the city, while the market and the island of Pietra are also to admire.