The 10 things to do in Guernsey

On the French coast? Follow the guide to discover our must-sees to visit Guernsey, the famous green island!

Guernsey is the Anglo-Norman island most far from the French coast. A true gateway for all browsers, it has long been known as a safe anchor point. Guernsey is also known for hosting Victor Hugo during his fifteen years of exile.

Tranquil, Guernsey is a world apart from the time seems to have stopped. She surprises as much as she seduces with her rich historical cultural heritage. On foot or by bike, it invites you mainly to walk and rest along its coasts, to discover its landscapes a little celtic.

So today we take you to this quiet island. Here is our selection of uncontourable things to do and to see to visit Guernsey the time of a stay.

1. Cobo Bay

Cobo Bay, or Cobo Bay , is one of the treasures of Guernsey. It is located north of the island. Its long sandy beach, its blue and crystalline water and its rocks with pink reflections make it all its charm. Some even compare it to a Caribbean beach — less heat. So if you’re in a romantic mood and you’re wondering what to do in Guernsey, go to sunset. It's breathtaking.

2. Castle Cornet

Today, Cornet Castle houses several museums that content Guernsey’s history. Every noon, a small ceremony takes place with two guards, pulling a gunshot. During your visit, enjoy the breathtaking view that the castle offers on the city: it is worth a look! The gardens on their side are waiting for a little walk.

3. Hauteville House

It is impossible to visit Guernsey without stopping to stop Hauteville House . And for cause, Victor Hugo elected his home for fifteen years, between 1856 and 1870.

To find out how the writer arrived there, we have to go back until 1851. After the coup d’état of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, Victo Hugo is openly opposed to the Second Empire. He leaves France, passes through Belgium and then settles in Jersey for a few years. He was expelled from the country until 1855 when, after having spoken inappropriately to Queen Victoria. Victor Hugo then buys Hauteville House in Guernsey, on the heights of Saint-Pierre-Port. He manages his design and decoration, thinks and realizes everything in detail. d

Installed to Hauteville House , the writer gives birth to many works. Among them, The Miserable and Seaworkers which pays tribute to the inhabitants of the Anglo-Norman Islands. In 1870, Victor Hugo took advantage of the fall of the Second Empire to leave Guernsey and his home.

In 1927, the descendants of the writer Hauteville House Paris. Today, the capital still owns the place.

4. La Petite Chapelle

Inspiring and inspired, Petite Chapelle was born in 1920 in Saint-André. Built by Brother Déodat-Antoine, she is inspired by the site of Lourdes. When he arrived in Guernsey in 1913, Brother Deodat-Antoine sought to create a place similar to the cave of Lourdes and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire. Inspired, he started building the chapel. For the sake of detail, he took it three times before finalizing the place in 1923.

Since then, the Little Chapel has remained intact. Only the Guernseys brought their stone to the building, by laying down porcelain tips.

Visiting Guernsey is also going through this collection site, typical of the region.

5. The islands of Herm and Sercq

The islands of Sercq and Herm are part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. You can explore them on foot, by bike or by calèche. Sercq offers an incredible green setting, suitable for hiking. Herm is the smallest Anglo-Norman island, known for its paradise beaches. To get there, there's nothing simpler: ferries depart daily from Saint-Pierre-Port. A maritime link is also possible between the two islands.

6. The Victorian Garden Candie Gardens

If you love flowers and you wonder what to do in Guernsey, the garden Candie Garden is a must. This beautiful on two park levels houses many kinds of flowers! They come from all over the world and fully benefit from Guernsey's favourable climate.

It is also here that the statue stands in tribute to Victor Hugo. Sculpted in 1914 in a granite block by artist Jean Boucher, it is a symbol of the place.

7. Sandy beaches

What if you mold the jersey? For a relaxing moment in Guernsey, direction its beautiful beaches!

- The bay of Petit Bot : located all south of the island, it is surrounded by cliffs and greenery. - Sifty Port : north of Guernsey, it is the ideal beach to swim in the summer. - The bay of Vazon : to the west of the island, this beach was elected the cleanest beach in the United Kingdom. It is perfect for water sports.

8. The site of Fouaillages

In general, the Anglo-Norman Islands are a reference to megalithic sites. The remaining places are incredibly well preserved. So it goes without saying that you can not visit Guernsey without discovering the site of Fouaillages. Considered as the oldest megalithic ensemble in Europe, it dates from the fifth millennium before Jesus Christ.

Fouillages is a bit the archaeological site of Guernsey. Tumulus formed by two dolmens, it bears witness to an ancestral time and culture.

9. Moulin Huet Bay

Are you a paint fan? Take the path of Renoir! A Moulin Huet Bay , the latter invites you to follow the traces of the famous painter Renoir. An hour walk during which you will discover the different views that inspired the artist’s paintings.

10. A boat ride

Do you need to fill in oxygen? If you don’t have the seaache, choose a boat ride. It is possible to take a tour of the island from Barneville-Carteret, a town on the Norman side. The opportunity to discover Guernsey and its landscapes other than from the farmland!

How to go to Guernsey?

By plane

Guernsey has an airport. From France, you can visit Guenersey via the air. However, the flight will not be direct: depending on your departure city, you will have a stopover in London Southend or Southampton. The island is about an hour away from the United Kingdom. To find the most suitable flight for your trip, consider using a flight comparison as Ulysses . You will find a selection of the best rates according to your departure dates.

By boat

If you want to visit Guernsey, you can also opt for the boat. Several French coastal cities propose the crossing:

- From Saint-Malo : direct journey, 2 hours of crossing. - From Diélette : direct journey, in summer season on 15 days a month, 1 h 10 of crossing. - From Granville : stopover in Jersey, 2:30 a.m.

Enjoy your crossing to make some purchases at Duty free or to change your currency in pounds sterling. To start your serenemental getaway, plan to arrive one hour before your boat leaves for customs formalities.

But you can also choose to go there by boat, by your own means! For that nothing simpler, just enjoy the boat rental in Barneville-Carteret , and to navigate towards Guernsey to stay there for a day or a weekend.

How to move to Guernsey?

By bus

The Guernsey bus network serves all the attractions of the island. The ticket costs £1 per trip. To get the bus schedules, just go to the tourist office or to the bus station.

By bike

The bike is a pleasant way of transport to visit Guernsey. You can rent it on site. Private an electric bike if you don’t have the habit of pedaling to fully enjoy the walk!

By car or scooter

You can rent a car or a scooter to move to Guernsey. For this, you will need to be over 21 years old and a valid driver's license. Roads are limited to 56 km/h — and it is often necessary to slow down again to drive safely.

To park, there is a disk system on which you will need to indicate your arrival time. They are available from newspaper merchants and the tourist office. The operation is indicated at the back of the discs.

Where to stay in Guernsey?

Now that you know what to do in Guernsey, you still have to find your accommodation. If you are planning to leave in high tourist season (mainly between June and September), it is necessary to book your accommodation. The offer is wide: you can choose a campsite, if you stay a week or more. Warning: the wild campsite is forbidden.

For a short stay, guest rooms and hotels are all indicated. Regarding the latter, the Guernsey Tourist Office visits the establishments every year. He assigns them a number of stars in function. You can also compare hotels with one Compare hotels to get your room at the best price!

You can now plan your discoveries to visit Guernsey! What are you going to start with?