Did you know that there’s a British archipelago right next to Normandy in France? We’re talking about the Channel Islands, which Victor Hugo described as “pieces of France that fell into the sea and were reclaimed by England”. We’d like to take you on a tour of one of these islands: Guernsey, which lies 53.7 m off the coast of Port Diélette, itself an hour’s drive from our Utah Beach campsite in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.
Here are the must-see places on the island of Guernsey, to be visited for a change of pace after visiting the various World War II museums around Utah Beach.
The town of Saint-Peter-Port
Saint-Peter-Port, the capital of the island of Guernsey, is a pretty harbor town that stands out for its architectural style, beautiful beaches and magnificent scenery. But the town has another special feature: low taxes mean that prices are very attractive, so much so that it has become a paradise for shoppers of all kinds (clothes, fashion accessories, perfumes, jewelry, spirits, electronics…).
The island’s beaches
Guernsey is also a great place for swimming. Among its most beautiful beaches are: Baie du Petit Bot, to the south of the island; Port Soif, to the north; and Baie de Vazo, to the west of the island.
Victorian Candie Gardens
Candie Gardens is a romantic garden on two levels, offering panoramic views of the neighboring islands of Herm and Sark. The upper garden features century-old trees and colorful flowerbeds. The lower garden features specimen flowers and exotic trees. The garden is home to a famous statue of Victor Hugo and the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery.
The islands of Herm and Sercq
After touring the capital, take a ferry to the islands of Sark and Herm. Once there, you can explore both islands on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage. Herm, the smallest of the Channel Islands, is famous for its heavenly beaches. Sark, on the other hand, is ideal for hiking.
La Cobo Bay
Located in the north of the island, Cobo Bay, or Cobo Bay, is one of the places we recommend for idleness. Its long sandy beach, crystal-clear blue water, pink rocks and sunset will leave you breathless. In terms of beauty, the bay has nothing to envy of the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.
Hauteville House
Hauteville House is a grand bourgeois mansion now transformed into the Victor Hugo Museum. The writer, in exile on the island, bought the house in 1856 and lived there with his family until 1870. A curious fact about the Hauteville House museum: the establishment, which is located on the English island off the coast of Normandy, belongs to the Paris City Council.
La Petite Chapelle
If you love religious monuments, head to Les Vauxbelets, in the parish of Saint-André-de-la-Pommeraye, to admire the Petite Chapelle. Adorned with shells, pebbles and colorful porcelain, this smallest church in the world is a true work of art.
Fouaillages website
The Channel Islands are famous for their megalithic sites, and Les Fouillages is one of them. This megalithic site in Europe dates back to the 5th millennium BC. It consists of a tumulus formed by two dolmens.
What’s more, theisland of Guernsey is home to many other wonders that will give you plenty of variety to discover on your Normandy vacation.