Monuments to visit Jersey

Elizabeth Castle is built on an islet in the middle of Saint-Aubin Bay and has defended the island of Jersey for no less than 400 years. It is accessible on foot at low tide, from the Jardins de la Mer, by a 1 km long paved road. When the tide is high, a shuttle service is provided by World War II amphibious vehicles, the famous DUKWs, or ducks(departing daily from Victoria Avenue from mid-March to mid-October). Intended to replace Mont Orgueil Castle, which could not withstand cannon fire, construction began in 1590 and lasted nearly ten years. It was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth^I by Sir Walter Raleigh, then governor of the island (the castle was then used as the governor's residence). A Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, the fortress had to capitulate to Cromwell in 1651 after a 50-day siege. It was also used to repel French troops during the Battle of Jersey in 1781. The troops then moved to Fort Regent. Elizabeth Castle opened to the public in 1923. You can visit the barracks, which have been converted into a museum. They are particularly interesting: the exhibits illustrate the role of the castle in the history of the island and present many surprising details about the life of the soldiers and officers. From the upper courtyard, you can access the dungeon, the top of which offers a superb view. Visit and photos are mandatory!

Built in the 13th century to protect the island of Jersey against the French enemy, the spectacular castle of Mont Orgeuil, built on the side of a granite rock, overlooking the small port of Gorey, was notably besieged by Bertrand du Guesclin in 1373, during the Hundred Years War. As the art of war continued to progress, the castle became more and more vulnerable to the new power of cannons. In spite of important fortification works, it lost all strategic value after the construction of the Elizabeth Castle in Saint-Hélier. It was thus transformed into barracks and prison. During the Civil War, parliamentarians and royalists were imprisoned there. During the French Revolution, many emigrant French nobles resided there. The castle was first restored in 1907, before it was opened to the public, then in 1945, after the Germans left, and finally in 2003. At the entrance of the castle, you can access 3 exterior courtyards.

To the left of the Outer Ward is the Harliston Tower, built in 1470 to protect the entrance. It was the first part of the castle to be reinforced to resist cannon attacks. A long open corridor leads to the old castle gate. To the right is the Barbican Postern.

The Lower Ward. On the left side is the great rampart built by George de Carteret in 1640, during the English Civil War, when the castle was held by the Royalists. The carved coat of arms of Charles II can be seen here. At the end is Queen's Gate, behind which a grand staircase leads to St. George's Tower. The Middle Ward. It appears very small today because of the buildings dating from the 16th century, when the walls were thickened and the imposing Somerset Towe keep built. In the middle of the courtyard are the ruined walls of St. George's Chapel and the Burgros Tower. On the left you can see Castle Hall, the old medieval keep, and on the right the new keep built in the^second half of the 16th century. From here one can reach the terrace above Sumerset Tower to observe the view of the entire east coast of Jersey and the French coast.

Within the castle walls, an exhibition recounts the great episodes of Jersey's history, its many heroes being represented by wax figures. The comments are also in French. In another room, various objects that belonged to the guests of Mont Orgueil are on display. A visit is mandatory!

On the top of the cliffs, this castle was probably built in the 14th century. Only a few ruins remain: an ogival door, remains of ramparts and machicolations. The view is superb and you will have the possibility of sumptuous walks. The name of Grosnez would be of Viking origin. In old Norwegian nes is roughly equivalent to "promontory". The Vikings gave a name to each of the promontories they had to pass: Gris Nez, Blanc Nez, Nez de Jobourg. Gros would come from grjot which would mean "rock".

The covered market was moved here in 1800, after having been held in Royal Square. The first building dates from 1803. But it was largely rebuilt in 1882. It is a typical Victorian building. Its architecture (metal columns, glass windows, central fountain) and its layout make it a pleasant place. This market does not only offer fruits and vegetables. You can also find books, jewellery, Belgian chocolates, flowers and pastries or sandwiches.

Housed in the galleries of a former underground hospital, this museum depicts life in Jersey during the German occupation (July¹, 1940 - May 9, 1945). Outside, the site includes a library where visitors can consult archives, a large garden, The Garden of Reflection, and a photo exhibition held in the adjoining café. Hospital Ho8 (or Hohlgangsanlage 8) was excavated in galleries 40 metres deep and several kilometers long (some corridors are over 100 metres long). This formidable work was carried out between September 1941 and June 1944 by prisoners specially brought to the island to build German defense structures under inhuman conditions. The hospital had a capacity of over 500 people, but was so ill-adapted that it was virtually never occupied. Throughout the tunnels, visitors discover the true and terribly realistic story of the German Occupation, from the invasion of France to the liberation of the island, the social life of the Jersians, the hospital's medical facilities, the fate of forced laborers.. It's a truly interactive museum (you can touch a lot of things), as demonstrated by the facsimile identity card you'll be given at the entrance, which will enable you to follow the life of an islander during the occupation as you go on to the café. This is one of Jersey's finest museums, and since 2022 it has been offering two greatescape game courses.

Starting from Grosnez Castel, a little further south and lost in the Jersey moors, is a needle-shaped rock over 60 meters high called the Pinnacle. It was a place of worship for thousands of years and is believed to date back to 4800 BC. From the point, you can clearly see Sark and Guernsey. A superb view on a sunny day and a great reward after a long walk in a rugged and sea-swept area. The fauna and flora here are superb. Get your walking shoes on!

Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governor (the man who rules Jersey on behalf of the King) and his wife. It is also the King's residence when he visits Jersey, as was the case with the late Queen during the last royal visit in 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Jersey. This vast residence was built in 1814 and has been occupied by the Lieutenant-Governors since 1822. During the Second World War, it was also the residence of the German Command.

This dolmen is one of the best preserved on the Island of Jersey, although the burial mound which covered this Neolithic burial site has disappeared. It dates from approximately 4500 BC. The huge flat stone that sits at the end of the chamber (which is actually double, which is very unusual) is thought to weigh over 24 tonnes. It was discovered and excavated between 1839 and 1868. And the dolmen inspired Victor Hugo for his poem Nomen, numen, lumen written in 1855, during his exile in Jersey.

Located at the end of a small winding road, Le Couperon is a burial chamber. Dating from 2400 B.C., this megalithic site is a covered walkway about 7 meters long and surrounded by an enclosure of raised stones (18 pieces supporting covering tables) in the center of which stands a dolmen 8 meters high. This ensemble is in a very good state of conservation. It was discovered in 1868. It can be the object of a nice walk and a beautiful point of view, a little lost in the North-East of Jersey.

Noirmont Point is the southernmost point on the island of Jersey. Beyond its superb view, this promontory is also a War Museum. This open-air spot, displays heavy artillery pieces from various eras. The promontory also bears three observation towers built by the Germans during the Second World War, as well as the Lothringen artillery battery. The latter was part of the famous Atlantic Wall, the set of coastal fortifications built by the Third Reich to defend itself.

The Quétivel Mill is a water mill that was built in the 14th century. It was carefully restored by the National Trust for Jersey in 1978. The restoration of the water wheel has made it a living monument to the island's heritage. It is the last one in operation in Jersey. And what about the decor, which seems to come straight out of a children's book illustration? Charming. All around, the woods and meadows of St. Peter's Valley also invite you to take a delightful bucolic stroll.

Les Monts Grantez is a gallery dolmen in the commune of Saint-Ouen. This megalithic monument has been dated to the Middle Neolithic (between 4000 and 3250 BC). If it has lost its main table, it is still relatively imposing. This dolmen was discovered in 1839 and the excavations date back to 1912. Eight skeletons, animal remains and a beautiful variety of pottery were also found. It is a site with a rather intriguing atmosphere. A beautiful mystical walk in perspective, especially if the fog is of the part.

The dolmen of Mont Ubé is a Neolithic corridor tomb. This dolmen dates back to 4000 BC and was discovered and excavated in 1848. At the time of its discovery, we also found vases, tools, axes, a polished stone pendant and... human bones. It is presented as a gallery passage, with lateral niches in the burial chamber. It is today partially destroyed. But prehistory enthusiasts will have to go there to discover what remains of the dolmen. Notice to the amateurs!

It is easily identifiable, thanks to its large white dome that covers the hill overlooking the city center. It was King Edward VI who decided in 1550 that a fort should be built on this strategic hill. The aim was to provide the island with a defensive fort, a place of retreat for the inhabitants in case of invasion. But in the end, it would be a long time before the fort was built, long after the fortresses of Gorey and Elizabeth Castle. The plans for the Regent were drawn up during the Napoleonic Wars (there was a fear of invasion by Napoleon's troops) by John Hambly Humphrey. The beginning of the work was delayed for financial reasons. The fort was nevertheless built between 1806 and 1814 and named Regent, in honor of the Prince Regent of the time who would later become George IV.

The defensive system included towers, batteries, ramparts, arsenals and barracks. All this... for nothing. Because before its completion, the battle of Waterloo put an end to the reign of "the one for whom" the fort had been built: Napoleon. The British troops nevertheless remained there until 1928.

After the departure of the military, the islanders did not know what to do with this immense building that dominates the city. In the 1970s, it was finally transformed into a temple of sports and leisure. Swimming pool, tennis, gym, games, auditorium, etc., and always a beautiful view on the city and the sea. There are also promenades.

The right wing of this building, which houses the States, was built at the end of the 19th century, as was the left wing, which houses, on the first floor, the very interesting session room of the States. It is a small amphitheatre with three rows of seats, a hemicycle with oak panelling. Framed texts are affixed on both sides of the seats. These are the addresses offered to the King of England during his visits to the island. The Jersey Parliament, the States Assembly, administers its own particular affairs in a completely autonomous manner according to age-old traditions. While foreign policy and defence matters are managed by London, the Island can refuse to comply with any measure if it feels its independence and interests are threatened. Like Guernsey, it had refused to become part of the European Union. There was no question of harmonising with other European countries a tax system that had made and still makes it rich. All members of Parliament are elected by universal suffrage for a term of 3 to 6 years, and none of them is expected to represent a political party. The Parliament is composed of 12 representatives of the parishes, 10 senators and 29 deputies. They each participate in the various committees in charge of the different areas of the island's administration. The Lieutenant-Governor and the Legal Advisers are appointed by the Crown. The Bailiff is appointed for life by the King or Queen.

The Royal Court was built later than the State building, in 1856. It sits every two months for criminal trials. The courtroom includes, like ours, a courtroom, boxes for lawyers and clerks, and a gallery for the public. However, there was also a bench for the lords, as a result of the feudal system.

Two sessions are very important for the perpetuation of the feudal system of the island, the Assises d'Héritage (the Thursday following May 4 and the Thursday preceding October 11), because the lords of the manors of each parish must "appear": if the holder of the fiefdom fails to answer the call 4 times, the fiefdom is confiscated for the benefit of the king. On the fateful day, all the lords took their places on the bench. The Court was presided over by the Bailiff, assisted by 12 jurats. The island's lieutenant-governor was also present with his entire staff. Halberdiers stood guard. The attorney general then calls out the names of the fiefs. Each lord rose in turn and replied, "I keep my day," reaffirming his allegiance to the Duke of Normandy. The bishop of Coutances and the abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel were then called. This time, it was the lieutenant-governor who answered. No lord has ever failed to answer the call and it will be so until the end of time. If you are passionate about this institution, read Roger Vercel's excellent book(Les Iles Anglo-Normandes, Albin Michel, 1956). His descriptions of the ceremonies are a delight!