Things to see and do Saint-Martin

Protected by the imposing fortress of Mont Orgueil Castle, it was, in the Middle Ages, the most important port on the island of Jersey. It then declined from the 16th century. Even if, until the 19th century, many shipyards were still installed there. Today, it is lined with very pretty and colorful houses. Most of them are home to restaurants that unfold their pleasant terraces in the shadow of the castle or small souvenir stores. A very nice stroll awaits you here, especially at sunset.

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!

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 long beach is dominated by gentle hills where pretty manors are scattered here and there. It is really nice and, when the weather is (very) good, you can see France in the distance. For swimming, it is better to go there at low tide for safety reasons. Otherwise, kayaking and sailing are particularly popular activities in the bay. It is bounded on the south by the Archirondel tower (1794) and on the north by a long jetty which advances towards the sea. The jetty, very popular with anglers, is long and can be the object of a nice little stroll. It protects some boats (but also geese and ducks!). At its entrance, not far from the popular Breakwater Café and the parking lot, you will notice a plaque commemorating the exploit of a young Jersey man who swam around the island. This Victorian jetty was one of the elements of one of the two large naval bases of the islands (the other is in Alderney). The purpose was to face a possible French attack coming from Cherbourg. Construction began in 1847 and quickly became a financial drain. Before becoming useless anyway, militarily speaking. The second pier, which was to start from the Archirondel tower and close the bay, was never built. The Sainte-Catherine's Breakwater was completed in 1855... but proved to be unsuitable to receive warships. It was to be the largest port on the south side of the English Channel after Le Havre.