THE CHANNEL ISLANDS – GUERNSEY & JERSEY

 

These two beautiful islands off the coasts of Brittany and Normandy form part of the larger group known in English-speaking countries as the Channel Islands, or les Iles de la Manche from the French perspective.  Easily accessible by the regular car ferries plying back and forth from St Malo a couple of times a day, they offer a fascinating, and quite unique, addition to a European itinerary.

Although the islands are dependencies of the British crown with the Queen as official Head of State, they aren’t part of the UK, nor are they members of either the British Commonwealth or European Union, instead they are known as “Bailiwicks”.

Once part of the now-defunct Duchy of Normandy, one of the other chief landowners of the islands was the abbey of Mont St Michel.  Separated from Normandy since 1204, each of these two islands has their own administrative systems which can be traced back to the customs of 13^th century Normandy.  They both have independent laws, elections and representative bodies, although the UK is responsible for defence and international relations.  The islands have their own tax systems, and oddly (at least to us), their own currencies, and issue their own postage stamps. The two largest islands administer the other smaller ones in the group.

The islands’ Norman origins can still be discerned in the family names of many of the islanders, street signs and place names.  Although English is the universal language, many inhabitants still speak a centuries-old patois based on Norman French.

The geography of the islands is rugged with dramatic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, attractive fishing ports and coves, and undulating, gentle green

fields under agriculture and dotted with the famous Guernsey cows.  Summers are very pleasant.  Although never reaching very high temperatures, the Channel Islands are still said to be warmer than the UK.  However, since it’s a maritime climate they can be prone to squalls, winds and fog.

Nestling in the Bay of St Malo, Guernsey is smaller than Jersey, with a smaller town and perhaps less open countryside than Jersey.  Nowadays, Guernsey is a favourite destination of holidaymakers and yachtsmen, but its early growth was largely thanks to smuggling and privateering, and one might say that this free enterprise spirit is alive and well today. The island is regarded as quite wealthy, thanks to its status as a tax haven, somewhat euphemistically referred to as “financial services”, evidenced by the numerous investment banks, funds managers and financial advisory services in the town.

It’s clear that heritage is an important aspect of the island, given the care and respect afforded their historic buildings and natural sites, and the number of buildings that have been sensitively adapted for new uses.  We were delighted to discover that the main town of Guernsey, St Peter Port, is a charming English Georgian town with pretty, pastel painted houses perched on steep streets, which must be quite challenging in wet weather.

The commercial streets are lined with fine buildings, many of which still retain their beautiful, original shopfronts, narrow, cobblestone streets and a genteel air of prosperity.

 

There are a number of established British retailers in the High Street such as Boots pharmacy, Marks & Spencer, Next, Monsoon, Miss Selfridge, Paperchase, and the very elegant Regent St. London jewellers, Mappin & Webb, who advertise that they’ve been in St Peter Port since the early 19^th century.

There are numerous attractive tea shops serving British high teas and the local fruit loaf called gâche (pronounced gosh), served with thick, golden Guernsey butter.  As well, there are several authentic pubs offering the usual pub fare.  One of the best though is the hotel we stayed in, the Duke of Normandie, whose in-house restaurant, ‘The Pickled Pig’, decorated in traditional British pub style, serves some of the best, most imaginative, modern food on the island.

There are lovely beaches and secluded bays, woodland valleys, perilously narrow, picturesque country roads and stunning cliff-top walks.  A prominent landmark is the 800 year old fort, Castle Cornet, guarding the entrance to the pretty St Peter Port harbour which has fascinating exhibits and ramparts to walk around. French writer, Victor Hugo lived on the island for 14 years, and installed his mistress next door to his home, Hauteville House, which is now a popular museum—currently undergoing restoration.

Since the recent release of the film, ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’, many non-islanders are aware that the islands were under Nazi occupation during WW2.  The book (and to a lesser extent, the film) describes the hazards and hardships endured by the local population during those dark years of starvation and privation.  It was adapted from diaries written by Peter de Sausmarez’s great aunt, Kathleen Scott.  These were adapted into a novel firstly by Mary Ann Shaffer, and later by her niece Annie Barrows.  Visitors can take a tour of Sausmarez Manor, mentioned in the book, and hear readings from the diaries.

The extensive remains of the Nazi occupation are much in evidence, and quite a number of these are open to the public.  It amazed us how enormous some of these are:  both islands have huge concrete bunkers, gun emplacements and military installations.  Guernsey has a number of huge tunnels, one of which was a military hospital that extends for an incredible distance under the hills.

Another are the six vast underground tunnels near St Peter Port that now houses the excellent La Valette Underground Military Museum with military collections and memorabilia from both World Wars.

 

The German Occupation Museum walks the visitor through Guernsey’s wartime experience via weaponry, uniforms, a recreated wartime street, and a kitchen with the father listening to an illegal radio while the mother anxiously watches out for the Germans.  There’s a fascinating collection of original documentation and memorabilia such as informers’ letters, memoires by islanders about their experiences in Nazi concentration camps, public notices setting out punishments for infringements and civil disobedience, as well as a startling diamond-studded swastika necklace!  .

The most striking feature of Guernsey though is the island itself.  Its beautiful coastline is dotted with stone Martello towers, most of which were constructed during the American War of Independence.  Since the French sided with the Americans and as the Channel Islands remained loyal to Britain, there was a very real threat of French invasion.

There are remnants of Napoleonic-era defences such as Fort Grey, now the Maritime and Shipwreck Museum.  Nearby is a very interesting display featuring the remains of a Roman trading vessel raised from the sea-bed.  As you travel around the island you can also see the many menacing reminders of the Occupation.

However, it’s not all reminders of disasters and past conflicts.  The island has a number of local distilleries producing cider, gin, craft beers and fruit liqueurs flavoured with locally grown fruit and wild herbs.

Take a visit to the very pretty Candie Gardens, perched on a hillside with spectacular views overlooking St Peter Port.  A delightful green space with statues to both Queen Victoria and Victor Hugo, the park is also the site of the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, and there’s an excellent café on site very popular with locals and visitors.

The Jersey Blog will follow shortly.