Tourist Attractions & Monuments Channel Islands

This is a beautiful park with spectacular views over Saint-Peter-Port and the nearby islands of Herm, Sark and Jethou. In season, the gardens are abundantly flowered with camellias and mimosas. A statue depicts Victor Hugo with his hair and coat blowing in the wind. On the base of the statue, the islanders have reproduced the dedication of his book Les Travailleurs de la mer: "To the rock of hospitality and freedom, to this corner of old Norman land where the noble little people of the sea live, to the severe and gentle island of Guernsey. "

We reach this chasm on the side of the cliff by a small and short path. Even if the slope will seem a bit steep on the way back. Make sure you get there at high tide so that it is more impressive (at low tide it is nothing exceptional). You will notice a very kitsch statue of a devil whose hoofed feet are dipping in a greenish pond. It is only the umpteenth replica (the others have been stolen) of a figurehead of a 19th century ship which would have run aground not far away and would have given the name of "Devil's Hole" to the geological formation.

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.

It is for us without any doubt the most beautiful bay of the island of Jersey. In any case, it is the most accessible from the capital. At the end of the beach, the small fishing port is one of the most charming postcards of the island. To take advantage of the landscape, many quality restaurants have been set up around the basin and the parish hall, which stands in the center of the village. Opposite the beach is the fort of Saint-Aubin, accessible at low tide. This is the place to go for a nice walk or a long swim.

The dolmen of Déhus is a dolmen with a gallery under a tumulus of 10 m length and 4 m width, dating from 2000 BC. It was discovered in 1930. The corridor leads to six small chambers and a larger "bottle-shaped" room, typical of many megalithic monuments in the region. A drawing is engraved in the stone, inside, and seems to represent a bearded man armed with a bow and arrows. Of more recent construction (1000 B.C.), it would seem to have been the magical guardian of the tumulus. A good excuse for a nice walk.

The Pleinmont Observation Tower is a five-story observation tower built by the German Army during World War II and used between 1942 and 1945. The tower was intended to defend the south and west coasts as part of the Atlantic Wall defense system and is still equipped with working rangefinders. You can also visit the barracks on the days the site is open.

This chapel, tiny as its name suggests, was built between 1914 and 1923. Its builder, Brother Déodat, wanted to build a replica of the Lourdes basilica. He was a member of the Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle congregation, a great founder of schools and of an order known in France as the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Déodat also created several schools in the large building above the chapel, thanks to donations from Catholic communities in Europe and even America, who supported the work. The chapel, however, took him 3 tries. The first chapel, deemed ugly, was demolished. The second couldn't even accommodate the bishop and his retinue who came to consecrate it. The third is just as small (5 m x 3 m, 2.75 m high) and just as unattractive, though well worth the detour and highly original, with its interior and exterior lining of shells, pebbles and locally-colored porcelain.

It has its own crypt and a grotto of the Notre-Dame de Lourdes type. It has never been consecrated, except perhaps to the British Crown, judging by the portraits of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V on the walls.

Today, a foundation has been set up to maintain the edifice, after having completely restored it. This highly photogenic tourist site makes a pleasant detour during your visit to the island. Remember to leave a small donation to help conserve the chapel.

Built during the Second World War to serve as a hospital for German soldiers wounded during the war in France and then during the Allied landings in Normandy, it is also a maze of tunnels dug by prisoners to protect the fuel tanks of German submarines from bombs. In three years, 2 km of galleries were dug by prisoners deported from Eastern Europe, who had to extract 60,000 tons of rock.

The fortifications of this castle are almost eight centuries old. When King John Lackland lost Normandy to France in 1204, Guernsey chose to remain loyal to the English king. The island was immediately threatened by the French and the islanders decided to build Castle Cornet to protect themselves. Construction began in 1206 and lasted nearly twenty years. During the Hundred Years' War, the French and the English fought bitterly over it and it passed from hand to hand several times, after fierce battles.

As military techniques progressed, the castle was constantly reinforced and modified. During the civil war that tore England apart, the governor of Guernsey, Peter Osborne, withdrew there and challenged the rest of the island who had sided with Cromwell. The castle had to endure a siege of nearly nine years, during which it received the invaluable support of Jersey, which remained loyal to its sovereign. More than 100,000 cannonballs were fired against the castle.

At the time of the restoration of royalty, it was the prison of Sir John Lambert, Cromwell's former general, who was feared to be taking over the succession. But Lambert had become peaceful again, and he spent his captivity lovingly landscaping the castle gardens, which can be visited today. In 1672, a dramatic accident occurred. During a violent storm, lightning fell on the ammunition depot, which exploded. The blast caused the keep to collapse, taking with it the dwelling where Lady Hatton, the governor's wife, was staying.

During the Napoleonic era, for fear of another French attack, Castle Cornet was modernized and armed with formidable cannons, which were never used. When hostilities between the English and French ended, the castle was used as an arsenal, prison and barracks. Its military function was abandoned until 1940, when the Germans invaded the island. The Germans concreted some parts of the castle in order to integrate it into their defense system, the Atlantic Wall.

The gardens are maintained with a very English care. The many rooms of the fortress present a wide variety of exhibits, 4 small museums are housed there: the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum, 201 Squadron RAF, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum (former armory of the castle presenting a collection of weapons from the Middle Ages to the present) and a painting gallery, The Story of Castle Cornet Museum.

This Market Place, or French Halles, or Commercial Arcane (depending on the period), dates back to 1780. As the population grew, they soon became too small. They had to be enlarged, and the architect John Wilson was commissioned to build a new market with three halls: a fish market (1877), a vegetable market (1879) and a meat market (1822). From these halls, you can reach High Street, a pedestrian street, which, along with Le Pollet, is one of the main shopping streets of the island.

Located in the tower of a fortress, this Martello tower dates back to 1804, now painted white, has long served as a landmark to sailors approaching the coast of Guernsey. Today, the tower houses a museum that evokes the shipwrecks and great maritime tragedies that took place in the island's waters. One can observe maps, various objects recovered from the wrecks, photographs, explanatory panels and even a video film. Interesting.

It's hard not to find answers to your questions here. Everything is here! Brochures, posters and other leaflets will inform you about hotels, restaurants, walks; but also about the heritage, the fauna, the flora, the events and many others... Coming here is an imperative step for any visit of Alderney. The reception is charming and smiling. The website is very complete. Please note that the tourist office proposes during the high season activities such as tours of the island by bus or boat.

The only way to reach the peninsula of Little Sark, it is to pass by the Coupée, a rocky ridge which dominates the sea on both sides and can give the vertigo. The crossing is impressive. It links the two Sark islands by a cement road. This 90 m long road, lined with railings, was built by German prisoners of war. The road replaces an old narrow and particularly dangerous path where even horses refused to venture! Small pleasant beaches border the cliff, at low tide. Caves, covered with anemones, offer their marine treasures.

Coming from the Grand Sark, by descending a series of steps (not easy), one can reach just below the small beach of the Grande Grève creek, on the west side. South of the Coupée, one reaches Adonis Pool, a pond located in front of the islet called Moie de la Bretagne, and visible 2 hours before and after low tide. The sea rises very quickly here: do not underestimate the duration of the journey.

You have to cross a kind of deep ravine to reach the hole whose clear waters are 2 m deep. You can also pass by the shafts of the old silver mine, at Port Gorey, and, quite to the south, go to Venus Pool, an extraordinary rocky pool almost as deep (6 m) as it is wide (10 m diameter). You can swim there at low tide (2 hours before and after too). The flat rocks surrounding it allow to dry off and to sunbathe. Offshore, at 500 m, the Etac rock stands up to the waves.

During the warmer months Alderney Tours organises this lovely tour once a day in a minibus (with a maximum capacity of twelve people) to discover the essentials of the island. With commentary along the way, this organized tour will tell you all you need to know about the history of Alderney and the island's flora and fauna. Departure from the bottom of Victoria Street, in front of the Braye Hotel. Packages with lunch in a restaurant on the island can be arranged on request. An excellent agency.

Norman chapel of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Tugual, a saint whose history is not known for sure. Two myths coexist: according to one, he was the son of the king of England, according to the other he was a Welsh woman murdered by the Saxons. But perhaps it is simply Tugdual of Tréguier, a Breton who founded the city of Tréguier in the^5th century and became Saint Tugdual.

In the middle of the 11th century, the Duke of Normandy, Robert the Devil, ceded the island of Herm to the Benedictines of Mont Saint-Michel. They built a very simple chapel which has survived the passage of time.

The former tenants of the island, the Wood family, had it completely restored in 1949. The four colorful stained glass windows are post-war works commissioned by Peter and Jenny Wood. They depict Christ calming the storm (a work dated 1964), Christ calling his disciples, King Samuel in the Temple, and Noah and the animals before the Ark (the latter three dated 1984). Look closely to appreciate the details that represent landscapes and animals of the island. The work is truly superb.

St. Tugual's Chapel is listed in the Register of Ancient Monuments and Protected Buildings of the States of Guernsey. It also appears on a stamp printed in Guernsey in 1970. It was last restored about ten years ago, in 2011. During the work, two human skeletons were found: an adult skeleton and a child's skeleton, which would date from 4 to 5 centuries ago.

The remains of several dolmens are visible around the Petit Mont mound. Neolithic tombs, 3,500 to 4,000 years old, testify to the function of the island at that time. At the crossroads of Robert's Cross, elements of the gallery of the most important dolmen, which must have been 5 m long, remain. But the "Long Stone" fell prey to quarrymen in the 19th century. To the north, in the dunes of the Mouisonnière beach, stood a menhir visible from the sea: the " Pierre aux rats ". There is now only a masonry obelisk in its place.

This is the website of the society of islanders and affiliates who manage the island of Herm. It is an indispensable tool when planning a getaway to Herm. You can use it to get practical information about the island, to manage all your hotel reservations, to consult the list of all the restaurants and cafes on the island, to organize all your transfers to/from Herm, to find shopping addresses or to plan activities, but also to consult the weather reports, to watch the webcams, etc.

Shell Beach. Shell Beach" is Herm Island's most famous beach. Situated at the north-eastern end of the island, it is covered with shell debris accumulated with each rising tide. In summer and winter alike, it's naturally one of the most popular beaches for a stroll. And in summer, it's a delight for kayakers and paddleboarders. The natural rock pool is a delight for the little ones. There's also a kiosk to quench your thirst in summer.

Belvoir Beach. Next to Shell Beach, this so-called "Belvoir" beach is located in a small, well-protected bay which, in summer, can fill up very quickly with holidaymakers. It's also a good spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. From the beach, there's a lovely view of the island of Sark. There's also a small café.

Bear's Beach. Well sheltered thanks to a natural windbreak with its rocks, the delightful "Bear's Beach" is perfect for holidaymakers in search of sun (in summer) or beautiful walks sheltered from the wind (in winter). The beach is also a little secluded and will delight tourists looking to get off the beaten track. It's also an ideal beach from which to enjoy a superb view of the island of Guernsey, just across the road. A must for photographers. Last but not least, it's a well-known spot for local fishermen.

Fisherman's Beach. Accessible by steps alongside the Mermaid Tavern, this beach, known as "Fisherman's Beach", is perfect for exploring the natural pools that form in the rocks at low tide. An ideal spot for families with young children.

Harbour Beach. Close to the stores and the port, this aptly named "Harbour Beach" is well known among families for its easy access.

Hotel Beach. Hotel Beach" is - as the name suggests - right in front of the White House Hotel. And the harbour protects it from the wind, which is a nice touch. Yet in a corner of the island somewhat shunned by visitors, the beach offers a natural pool in the rocks and a breathtaking view of the islands of Guernsey and Jethou.

North Beach. Unlike the other beaches in the north of the island, this "north beach" features several natural rock pools. Beware of strong currents.

Oyster Point. The island's family secret. Located in the north of the island, it is sheltered and very isolated. Seagulls may be your only company. At low tide, bags of oysters form pools of seawater.

On the Braye Harbour breakwater, Fort Doyle and Fort Grosnez were both built by General Doyle during the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century and had many cannons at the time. But they were also used by the German occupiers during World War II as part of the defense system called the Atlantic Wall. Today they are part of the landscape of the island and can be the object of a nice walk.

On the edge and off the coast of the bay of the same name, this military building is set on a rocky spur and is connected to the coast by a causeway covered at high tide. Its architect, William Jervois, wanted to respect the environment and tried to blend its fortifications into the landscape from the 19th century. It has since been transformed into apartments, which you can rent if you wish. Also worth seeing is Fort Tourgis, another hillside barracks, much more showy and also built in the mid-nineteenth century.

It is difficult to miss Fort Essex, this huge Victorian fort with Tudor ramparts that majestically dominates Longis Bay. It was the first fortification in Alderney: the fort was built by King Henry VIII between 1549 and 1554 but was never actually completed. The fort can be seen from most points on the Alderney footpath and was used by the Germans as an important observation post during the Second World War.

Today, the fort is unfortunately no longer open to the public as it has been renovated and converted into private apartments. Closer to the edge of the cliff, you can see Hanging Rock, a 15-meter high rock overlooking the sea. Off Longis Bay, Fort Raz is only accessible at low tide. Notice to walkers!

The beach of Longis Bay is in fact one of the best sheltered on the island, thanks to the anti-tank wall built by the German army to counter any attempt of landing by the Allies. On the shores of Longis Bay, high walls (which do not admit their origin) form an enclosure named by legend, or by the English soldiers in the 18th century, the Nunnery (the "convent of women"). It looks like a big fortified farm, but it would be in fact an old fortification of the end of the Roman Empire. It is one of the oldest on the island of Alderney. It was rebuilt in 1793 to house an English garrison.

Built of Caen stone in 1850, St. Anne's Anglican Church was built by the last hereditary governor of the island, John Le Mesurier, in memory of his parents. It is without doubt one of the most beautiful Victorian buildings in the Channel Islands. During the Occupation of the Second World War, some of its bells were sent to France to be melted down and transformed into munitions. The inhabitants having almost all deserted the island, the church was then used as a warehouse. After the war, the islanders were surprised to discover that not all the bells had been melted down. Four of them were found near Cherbourg. Unfortunately, they were in such a state of deterioration that they had to be melted down in England. Inside the church, you will also notice some modern stained glass windows. While visiting St. Ann's Church, you should not miss the cemetery adjacent to the church. Delightfully shaded, it is very quiet and always full of flowers. It must be said that the islanders pay a very touching attention to their dead, to whom they lavish a thousand cares. At the location of some graves, a tree has grown; others are surrounded by flowers and small bluish pebbles. Small wooden benches are installed all along the paths. It is pleasant to sit on them, to meditate and to enjoy the quietness of this place, which is definitely out of time.

The rationale for the Alderney Railway (1847) was the need to bring stone from the Mannez quarry near Fort Grosnez to build and maintain the breakwater - the long dike that serves as a breakwater in Braye Harbor. The railroad track even extended along the breakwater. The first stone of the breakwater was laid on February 12, 1847, and then fourteen wagons, each carrying three and a half tons, made the trip as needed. The stone quarried at Mannez is hard sandstone, which has metamorphosed over geological time into quartz aggregates known as quartzite. The Alderney Railway Company was only established in February 1978, as much for tourism purposes as to maintain the tradition. Today, its traction equipment is regularly renewed by the purchase of decommissioned material. On special occasions (especially during the festive season), a small diesel locomotive pulls two large red cars recovered from the London Underground. While usually, you'll get on a nice little train more discreet ... On certain days, a miniature train - not one you can sit on, but one you can ride - is also in operation. The youngest should love it! In any case, it's a great activity to do with the family during a trip to Alderney. And above all, it's a great way to explore the island's beautiful scenery and coastline.

This ruin was the most important fort of the island in the last century (Albert was the husband of Queen Victoria). It dominates the Braye creek and the harbor. Then the castle at Etoc, between Saye Bay and Corblets Bay, where a tunnel allowed the "vraic tchérieux" (the seaweed collectors) to leave the beach with their ox carts. Going back south,Fort Hommeaux Florains, located on an islet, Fort Quesnard which occupies the point, and Fort Houmet Herbé, which overlooks the Raz Blanchard, protected the eastern coast. They are now all in ruins.

Located at the western end of the island, this 32-meter lighthouse, built in 1912, was intended to help ships dock in Alderney. Automated in 1997, it no longer houses a keeper since 1972, when it was electrified. Even today, the lighthouse is lined with a gigantic foghorn that guides sailors when visibility is poor. From the top, there is a superb view of the French coast in good weather. Note that it is easy to get there by train.

Since its creation, the association has been fighting for the protection of nature in Alderney. The volunteers have built many birdwatching posts around the island, built bunkers and fortifications and cleaned the island to enhance its nature. In addition to the 270 species of birds, Alderney is home to rare species such as the black rabbit and the blonde hedgehog, also known as the "Alderney spice-girl"! If you find yourself here, you will be able to take part in many guided tours.

Built by a family from Alderney to commemorate the deported workers from all over Europe, this very flowery monument commemorates in 6 different languages the tragic death of the prisoners subjected to forced labor during the Second World War. These thousands of prisoners had to build an impressive number of bunkers, bastions and anti-tank walls. Only 40% of what was planned was completed. Longis Bay, the only beach in the northeast that is easily accessible, is bordered by a 500-meter defensive wall that the Germans had built.

Awarded a prize in 1999, the museum displays records of Alderney's history, from prehistory to the period following the Second World War. It occupies the buildings of the Old School, founded in 1790, and transformed into a museum in 1972 by the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, Sir Charles Hill. Managed by volunteers, it is really well done, complete and rather pleasant to visit.

In the main hall, some old-fashioned showcases display the remains of the island, from the Neolithic period to the Liberation. You will see a number of objects gathered by theme: archaeology, numismatics, geology, ethnology, military history, life on the island during the German occupation (furniture, clothing, everyday objects, documents, etc.). The infamous blue and white uniform of the Todt prisoners is on display, as well as medals offered to some islanders by the Germans for their good and loyal services. A beautiful tribute is also paid to the Alderney cow, now extinct. A small natural history room is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the island. On the second floor, a room recounts the horror of the storms which, in their fury, threw the boats against the sharp cliffs. For example, the Stella, the " Titanic of the Channel Islands", smashed into the rocks in 1899 in strong winds. The passengers all lost their lives despite their rescue equipment. The last body was found almost nine months after the disaster, washed up on Telegraph Bay.

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!

Granite menhir, 1.60 m high, dated to about 4000 B.C. Like the menhir of Castel Church, it would have been retouched in the Bronze Age (700 B.C.), to take on a more feminine appearance evoking, according to archaeologists, the grandmother or the goddess of fertility. According to Christian custom, this place was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. However, in the minds of the islanders, she remained the grandmother. The newlyweds bring her bouquets and coins to attract her favor.

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.

If the weather permits, and you want to go on a trip to see the marine life of Alderney, this is a great option. The crew of the Sula of Braye will take you on a half day sailing tour of the exceptional natural heritage of the Alderney coastline. On board the boat, you will meet the famous puffins and more than 1% of the world's population of gannets along the beautiful coastal landscapes of the island. An outing by reservation only.

The Jersey Wetland Centre overlooks a beautiful bird sanctuary, the St. Ouen Pond, which has been protected since 1975. The center is a nature center and an interpretation center where you can observe birds in their natural environment and even nest. In addition to the many observation posts (no less than 16 windows), the center offers many explanatory panels and an exhibition for explanations on the different species and wetlands. Harriers and other wading birds await you!

A visit to the charming feudal island of Sark is all about bays, beaches and coves. There are plenty of them here, and some are quite easy to get to. They're ideal for fishing enthusiasts (don't forget to pack your fishing gear before you leave!) and for wilderness lovers in all seasons.

Banquette Landing

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This cove is a little difficult to access. At the end of Banquette Landing is a flat rock from which you can fish from mid-tide to high tide.

Derrible Bay

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Numerous steps lead up to the sandy beach of Derrible Bay. A beach we recommend when the tide is high.

Dixcart Bay. A short, easy, shady walk through the valley serves as a warm-up before joining the steps down to the pleasant beach of Dixcart Bay, where a swim break is well deserved.

L'Eperquerie and Fontaine Bay. The access path to this cove offers a splendid view. At the bottom of the path, you'll find rocks where you can try your hand at fishing.

Gouliot Passage. Gouliot Passage offers two easy-to-access platforms at high tide.

La Grande Grève. The Grande Grève steps lead down to a sandy beach. On the left, in the seaweed, you'll find perch at low tide. Greens can also be caught here.

Grève de la Ville

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Access to this beautiful beach is a little steep. At the bottom is a pebble beach where you can fish for wrasse in abundance and conger eels after dark.

Les Laches. It's a tough walk (and slippery if it rains) to get here. A good place to find worms (for fishermen, that is).

Little Sark. Access to the sea is quite difficult and steep at Little Sark. The easiest access is Port Gorey beach, near the old gold mines.

Le Manoir. Just beyond the prison, this was the first residence of the lords of Sark. An ordinary, utilitarian (for its time) granite building.

Maseline Bay. Maseline Bay is home to many species. After the rocks, a stretch of sand runs parallel to the harbour wall. A great place to sunbathe on sunny summer days!

The former armory of Castel Cornet exhibits a fine collection of weapons covering a period from the Middle Ages to the present day, from blunderbusses to automatic rifles. It has thus become a museum of the armies which also allows a better understanding of the role of the Channel Islands and especially of Guernsey during the First World War. After joining the British forces, the island's soldiers participated in the effort under the Guernsey banner.

The splendid trip lasts about 2h30 (two departures per day, usually around 11am and 2pm depending on the weather) and this locally built fishing boat (with a capacity of 12 people) is really the ideal way to explore the bays, coves and secret caves of the island of Sark. You can also take the opportunity to admire the seabirds that roam the area such as puffins, guillemots, razorbacks, cormorants, etc. The lucky ones will also be able to see dolphins or seals.

The Maîtresse-Île is the largest of the islands of the Ecréhous archipelago. It is above all an ornithological reserve of 300 meters long and 150 meters wide, on which are the ruins of a monastic chapel of the XIIIth century. Mammalogists - or even the most experienced - will be able to observe the presence of the famous grey seal. On the east side of the island, a marine pit serves as a refuge for sailors and can accommodate some boats.

This is a great way to visit the Jersey coastline and especially the small archipelagos around Jersey. For half a day or a full day, we set course for the Ecréhous, the Minquiers, the Chausey islands and Sark. These small pieces of land will have no more secrets for you and, at the same time, you will discover the avian fauna (puffins, cormorants, waders, gulls, etc.) and the maritime fauna of the archipelago (seals, dolphins...). With beautiful sunsets as a bonus... Guaranteed sensations and discoveries!

Maîtresse-Île is the only inhabitable islet of the Minquiers archipelago which contains about fifty islets, reefs and sandbars. And for good reason, at high tide, only this one island of less than 1 km2 (150 meters long by 40 meters wide) remains. An island that emerges five or ten meters above the sea. Although there are naturally a few fishermen's houses, they are uninhabited and are only used occasionally as a refuge during the peak fishing season in the archipelago. As early as the 18th century, the islet was occupied by about twenty Jersey fishermen, because the bad season, with its storms and terrible winds, obviously forbade any residence. Maîtresse-Île, which was also a den of smugglers in the 19th century, was also exploited for a long time as a granite quarry. A customs post was also built there by the inhabitants of Jersey. Here too, the houses protect each other from the elements. These constructions are of English origin. Note the tax house which bears the coat of arms of the States of Jersey and the inscription: taxes. Note that the Minquiers and Maîtresse-Île are mentioned at length by Victor Hugo in Quatre-Vingt-Treize (1874). The archipelago is also evoked in Les Travailleurs de la mer (1866) by the French writer who makes one of his heroes say that Les Minquiers "is a very bad rock". It must be said that having lived in Jersey and Guernsey, the novelist knew the place rather well.

Philippe Pinel, a fisherman from Jersey, lived there for nearly fifty years from 1848. As the first sovereign of the Ecréhous, he received Queen Victoria as an equal and as a neighbour, during her stay in Jersey in 1857. He gave her, as a royal gift, one of the products of his kingdom: a basket made from dried seaweed. A pebble beach discovered at low tide allows to reach Marmotier. Blanche-Île is only inhabited during the summer season

This small island of 150 meters long by 80 meters wide, has a dozen houses huddled together. These houses are not inhabited all year round. They are used as a refuge for local fishermen and as a vacation spot for the inhabitants of Jersey when the weather is fine. One of them is even a family home of the famous British skipper of Hugo Boss Alex Thomson. Otherwise, an ancient and modest monastery probably depended on Mont-Saint-Michel, just like the churches or chapels of Guernsey. Moreover, there is, near Tours, in the Val-de-Loire, an ancient monastery founded by Saint Martin in 372, the abbey of Marmoutiers, of which only the remains remain. Is there a connection? On the "square" of Marmotier, there is a granite lintel with the inscription "Saint Martin de Jersey" and the date 1882. On the opposite wall, a white wall, there is a red and white buoy and a granite coat of arms. This is the Customs House. A house on which flies the Union Jack, the English flag. A large marine pit serves as a mooring for boats, and mooring buoys are arranged there. At low tide, huge sandbanks and pebbles extend as far as the eye can see. Nearby is the islet of Pommère, which appears at low tide on a field of pebbles. Les Ecréhous is a truly timeless spot. To be seen during a trip from Jersey.

At Jersey Yachting, we will organize discovery trips to Les Minquiers and Ecréhous, but especially charming afternoons (or mornings) or beautiful days on a boat to discover the island of Jersey. Aboard a superb catamaran (and with the help of a skipper), you will discover the superb coasts of the Channel Islands. Relaxed atmosphere, especially since the beautiful sailboat can also be rented for romantic dinners... Jersey Yachting also offers training courses to skipper this type of boat.

This is an original activity not to be missed during a visit to Sark! Sark Carriage Tours offers you to go back in time in a carriage and visit the island, rocked by the soft sounds of the carriage. But not only that! The stories told by the coachman will add a magical touch to this unique experience. The horses have a good temperament and everything should go smoothly for a really nice family outing. At sunset or in the moonlight, the experience is even more magical.

These vintage buses will allow you to visit the island or to go to certain attractions such as the Jersey War Tunnels or the Durell Wildlife Park. Whether you come for a day or a longer stay, this is a very interesting activity, as it allows you to visit a large part of the island in a few hours and discover very different landscapes. These green convertible buses are reserved for the visit of the island and you will have the choice between an East or West circuit. Note: audio-visit in French in all the buses.

Surrounded by green hills and surrounded by cliffs, Grève de Lecq is a small and friendly beach located between Saint-Ouen and Sainte-Marie in the southwest of the island. Here, it is the absolute calm and a perfect spot for a day at the beach with family, lovers or friends. Conveniently, there are a few restaurant options, in high season, above the beach. Ideal for a drink, an ice cream or a quick lunch on the go. In short, a dream spot for idleness! We love it.

Since 1831, successive owners of this beautiful granite mansion (built in 1797) had devoted themselves to wine, but the tradition was gradually lost. Fortunately, in 1968, the Blayney family, with the help of German and French winemakers (the grape varieties are German and French), managed to save the farm from ruin and re-establish a 6-hectare vineyard of quality. Annual production ranges from 13,000 to 21,000 bottles, with a range of dry white, red and rosé wines of excellent quality (Sainte-Marie, Baliwick, Perquage) sold on the estate.

On your tour (10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm), you'll learn about the distillation process used to make wine and Jersey's famous cider brandy. What's more, it's all accompanied by a wine tasting (and delicious local apple juice for young and old alike)! In addition to wine, you'll also find Grapple (a refreshing blend of wine and cider), ciders, Jersey Apple Brandy and house gin, as well as many other local products such as traditional Jersey Black Butter, chocolates, fudges and cookies. A café is also available for lunch or tea. And, of course, there's a well-stocked store where you can do your shopping and slip a few goodies into your suitcase before boarding the boat home. An unmissable visit to the area.

This orchid foundation houses gigantic tropical greenhouses in which hundreds of varieties of orchids from all over the world are gently growing. This collection, which began in 1958, is today one of the most important in the world. The foundation has received several awards and proudly displays its titles in the entrance hall. For the amateurs and also those who would like to enjoy the gardens for a nice walk or a picnic.

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.

This family attraction has received numerous awards for the quality of the thirty or so activities offered. In particular for its corn maze, offered in summer, for a unique treasure hunt! Actors offer you to solve enigmas to discover hidden treasures. But you can also go go-karting, have water gun battles, meet the farm animals, and many other fun activities. An ideal getaway for families with children of all ages.