St. Peter Port, Guernsey Photos - Channel Islands Map, Europe Maps Andp Information - World Atlas St. Peter Port, Guernsey Photos - Channel Islands Map, Europe Maps andp Information Print this map St. Peter Port, Guernsey Positioned just off the coast of France within the English Channel, the beautiful Channel Islands, all British Crown dependencies, are fiercely independent and justifiably proud of their history and traditions. They are considered the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy, and are not part of the United Kingdom. They include the two separate territories (or bailiwicks) of Guernsey and Jersey, both administered separately since the late 13th century. The islands are quite famous for their stoic resistance during German occupation in World War II, with remnants of that war still dotting the local landscape. Saint Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey as well as the main port in the islands. In fact, Guernsey's capital has been a busy port since Roman times. This small town has a number of interesting attractions and a fascinating history. With its cobbled streets and picturesque seafront marina, it is easy to see why St Peter Port is considered one of Europe's most attractive harbor towns.

Victor Hugo, the French poet, playwright and novelist lived on Guernsey in exile for a number of years. In fact, while there, he wrote "Les Miserables." The town of St. Peter Port is built on hills and this is a look at some steps leading up one of the hills. This narrow pathway is named Constitution Way, and if you were to climb it, it would certainly challenge your constitution Born in Guernsey, Thomas de la Rue founded De La Rue plc, a company which is now the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker. This is an island of colors, and local phone booths, mailboxes and buses are no exception. Traditional Fish & Chips served here. The island's namesake cow, the Guernsey, and the cheese produced from its milk has made the breed world famous Guernsey Island lives by and from the sea, and boats are everywhere; ferries, ocean-going tankers, sailboats and small rowboats cover the harbor. Cruise shops are common in the summer months.

Tide movement is strong in the English Channel, and there are times of the day when all boats in the Guernsey Island harbor have no where to go, so they just sit in the mud until the tide rises. These are typical houses and rooftops on the island. I can see the French influence. The classic stone architecture of Guernsey's Salem Church. It stands in the middle of town, and is quite striking. Castle Cornet fronts St. Peter Port's harbor, and this ancient and historic castle is an imposing site. This is a slice of one of the outside walls. It was first fortified as a castle between 1206 and 1256 and served as the official residence of the Governor of Guernsey until 1672 when the keep was catastrophically destroyed. A bolt of lightning struck the magazine of the castle, destroying the keep and a number of living quarters. And of course...anywhere you have narrow, hilly roads in the UK, you will have sports cars. It's a given! Racing model boats is very popular on Guernsey Island, and on a large enclosed harbor side pool dozens and dozens of boats compete for bragging rights.

These are two of the sailboats in the competition. Victor Hugo - His Life & Exile in Guernsey | VisitGuernsey Victor Hugo Victor Hugo Statue at Candie Gardens Guernsey Literary lovers can walk in the footsteps of one of the most celebrated authors of the 19th century. French author and poet Victor Hugo spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey from 1855 and the island provided the inspiration for many of his fine works, including Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea. Hugo fell in love with Guernsey and his island home, Hauteville House , offers fans a chance to experience how he lived - and see where he wrote some of his most famous books and poems. His writing room, the Crystal Room, is at the top of the eclectic house and has panoramic views across the ever-changing capital St Peter Port , out to sea and across to his homeland, France. But it isn't just his unique home in the heart of the island where you can walk the paths of one of the most controversial and fascinating writers of his time.

Take a dip where he swam in the clear waters of Havelet Bay, walk his favourite coastal path to Fermain Bay or take a stroll down to one of the island's prettiest bays Moulin Huet. Walk out to the exposed headland at Pleinmont with breath-taking views across to the Hanois Lighthouse and continue on up the length of the west coast to Port Soif, a favourite stretch of the island's coastline which provided inspiration for the writer. It is not hard to see why Hugo was captivated by the islands. While the writer is remembered for his life's works, his private life was equally fascinating. Although married to childhood friend Adèle Foucher - they had five children together - he had a number of lovers throughout his life, most notably French actress Juliette Drouet. She became his secretary and travelling companion, a relationship that lasted 50 years, and sacrificed her career to follow the love of her life to Guernsey when he and his family were exiled. She is mentioned often in the biography of Victor Hugo and thousands of letters between the pair have been recorded. It is said that they secretly met at the top of Victoria Tower.

Built to commemorate a visit to the island by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it offers unparalleled views across St Peter Port. If you look closely you might find their initials - VH and JD - which were etched somewhere into its interior granite walls. Hugo began, completed or published the majority of the works for which he is best known whilst living here, in particular 'Les Contemplations' (1856), 'Les Misérables' (1862), 'La Legende des siecles' (1877), 'William Shakespeare' (1864), 'Les Chansons des rues et des bois' (1865), 'Les Travailleurs de la mer' (1866), 'L'Homme qui rit' (1869), and 'Quatre-Vingt-Treize' (1874).

Hauteville House The City of Paris preserves the two houses where Victor Hugo lived the longest: the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée in Place des Vosges in Paris, where for 16 years (from 1832 to 1848) he rented a 280 square-metre apartment on the second floor, and Hauteville House on the island of Guernsey, where he lived in exile for 15 years (from 1856 to 1870). In 1851 the banned poet left France for an exile which would last 19 years, and after unsuccessful attempts at refuge in Brussels and Jersey, Hugo arrived on the shores of Guernsey in 1855. On 16 May 1856, with the proceeds from his successful collection of poems Les Contemplations, Victor Hugo purchased Hauteville House in Guernsey; a large white building with a garden overlooking the sea.

An enthusiastic collector of second-hand furniture and bric-à-brac, he brought back a profusion of chests, sideboards, carpets, mirrors, crockery, figurines and other objects from his excursions around the island. He put his boundless imagination to work on the house, spending months overseeing a major conversion on a medieval pattern, which gave this unique building an inner force and mystery. Hugo lived in Hauteville House until 1870, when he returned to France after the fall of the Second Empire, but he returned again for a year in 1872-73, for a week in 1875 and for four months in 1878. In March 1927, the centenary year of the Romantic Movement, the house was donated to the City of Paris by the writer’s descendants Jeanne, Jean, Marguerite and François. Hauteville House has been preserved exactly as it was. Hugo's abundant creativity is displayed in the astonishing richness of its decoration. As Charles Hugo put it, the house is "a veritable three-storey autograph, a poem in several rooms".

Hauteville House has some wonderful gardens which are included on a visit to the house. Hugo's Guernsey Victor Hugo was immediately captivated by Guernsey: he was struck by the harshness of its cliffs and the gentleness of the inland scenery. He appreciated both 'the breath of the ocean' and 'the breath of the flowers'. He was led to express his gratitude to the island in the dedication of his famous novel Les Travailleurs de la mer, “I dedicate this book to the rock of hospitality, to this corner of old Norman land where resides the noble little people of the sea, to the Island of Guernsey, severe and yet gentle...”. Hugo described the Channel Islands as "fragments of France which fell into the sea and were gathered up by England". It is that fusion of French and British culture that makes Guernsey so unique and its heritage, scenery and people left a lasting impression on the author. Any visitor who follows his well trodden path will leave feeling as inspired as he did over 150 years ago. Popular travel blogger, Gareth Huw Davies, visited Guernsey to find out more about Victor Hugo's time in the island.

To read more follow this link: Gareth Huw Davies blog . Hauteville House and Guernsey are also featured as part of a travel feature in The Telegraph Online . Victor Hugo Guided Walks There are 3 local accredited walking guides who offer walks based on Victor Hugo's life in Guernsey. Walk in Victor Hugo's Footsteps Enjoy this walk around the streets of St Peter Port, hear about Victor Hugo's exile here, finishing outside his amazing house in Hauteville where he completed his masterpiece Les Miserables. This walk is led by gold accredited guide Gill Girard. Click here for more information about this walk, which is part of the 2015 Channel Islands Heritage Festival. My Affair with Victor Hugo Victor Hugo was resident in Guernsey 1855-1870. This tour around St Peter Port follows his steps and we learn more about him, his personality, influences and relationships. Contact Carla Bauer on 07781 127422 or 01481 723276. Alternatively, email carla.bauer@cwgsy.net. Starts at the Guernsey Information Centre and ends at Hauteville House.

Victor Hugo's Exile in Guernsey A guided walk, in either French or English, led by Agnès Perry which takes in the history and sights of 19th century St Peter Port. Contact Agnès on 07781 443321 or email amaryllisbelladonna@cwgsy.net 5/6/2009 • World War II Time Travel Hitler spared no expense occupying and fortifying the Channel Islands, including the construction of this five-story observation tower on Guernsey. (Photo by Stephen Budiansky.) On June 28, 1940, one week after France fell to Germany, a squadron of Luftwaffe bombers appeared over the small town of St. Peter Port on the island of Guernsey. The British government, recognizing the impossibility of defending this five-mile-wide dot of land in the English Channel, just 20 miles from the coast of Normandy, had declared Guernsey and its neighboring island of Jersey demilitarized areas.

But, as Guernsey residents like to say even today with a certain sardonic humor, “the Germans apparently didn’t receive the message.” A few minutes of bombing and strafing left 29 civilians dead. Two days later, the first Germans landed on the island’s tiny airstrip. And so began five years of Nazi rule over the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by the Germans during the war. Guernsey is exceptionally beautiful, full of wooded coves, rugged cliffs, winding lanes bounded by ancient stone walls, Norman manor houses, and pubs more English than England’s. Driving around the island one is likely to glimpse on one side a Neolithic standing stone in the middle of a green field stretching down to the sea, on the other a 14th-century church, and then straight ahead find the picture-postcard scene sent askew by a towering concrete observation post left by the Germans. It’s always been a place that was more than a little quirky, part Monty Python and part Alice in Wonderland.

Though possessions of the Crown for 1,000 years, ever since the locals pledged their continued allegiance to the Duke of Normandy—that’s now Queen Elizabeth II—the Channel Islands never became a part of England or the United Kingdom; to this day the islands (population 160,000) each have their own currency, legal systems, strangely titled officials (bailiff, doyen, greffier, procureur), distinctive if rapidly dying dialects of Norman French, and insulting terms for the residents of the other Channel Islands. The weekend I visited Guernsey the big news was the first-ever election on the even tinier island of Sark, an autonomous state within Guernsey that was Europe’s last remaining feudal territory, ruled by the hereditary seigneur. Guernsey’s major business these days is its offshore banking industry. The German occupation was thorough and bizarre. Hitler, obsessed with the symbolic significance of holding a piece of British territory, poured resources into holding the islands far out of proportion to any strategic significance.

Guernsey had evacuated most of its schoolchildren and about a third of its adult population in the two weeks before the Germans arrived, leaving some 22,000 residents; Hitler sent 15,000 troops to take charge. The Nazis ordered drivers to change from the left to the right side of the road, numbered the island’s meandering roadways, and made German language classes compulsory in the schools that remained open. The occupiers threw up a bristling ring of shore defenses and brought in thousands of slave laborers to dig 700 bunkers and tunnels. The local movie theater featured German propaganda films and military brass bands paraded through St. Peter Port. At the German Occupation Museum I met Richard Heaume, a native Guernseyman who began collecting war relics as a boy in the 1950s and has since become one of the island’s leading occupation preservationists. “Right after war everyone wanted to forget,” Heaume told me. Bunkers were filled in, and even the huge naval guns were cut up and sold for scrap. The museum is Heaume’s labor of love, and it is direct and unsparing.

Along with an astonishingly good collection of militaria and other artifacts—Nazi guns and vehicles, German signboards and posters, odds and ends of daily life under the occupation—is an understated frankness toward the moral ambiguities of the era. There were heroes and cowards. A notice from the German military government warned that “any persons marking walls with ‘V’ signs or insults against the German Armed Forces are liable to be shot.” Nearby in the museum hangs a rock marked with a V dating from the occupation. A group of men calling themselves the Guernsey Underground News Service, who typed up and circulated on tomato-wrapping paper a secret daily newspaper, were caught in 1944 and imprisoned. But there were also informers and collaborators. A woman on Jersey who gave shelter to an escaped Russian slave laborer was informed on and sent to Ravensbrück, where she was killed in the gas chamber. The island authorities meekly went along with German orders to register Jews—a bit of Hitlerian obsessiveness that would seem almost comical, given the absurdly tiny Jewish population of Guernsey, were it not for the fact, as the museum’s walls informed me, that the three Jewish women on the island perished in Auschwitz.

One can read about Hitler’s belief in the Thousand-Year Reich, but seeing it on the Channel Islands is another thing. The fortifications the Nazis built on Guernsey are staggering in their elaborate sense of permanence. These are not the hasty erections of the British or Americans; they are the work of people who worshipped war, who saw war as a perpetual state of mankind. Heaume showed me a copy of the book the local commanders produced to impress the authorities in Berlin: lovingly executed watercolors and architectural drawings documenting every gun emplacement, tunnel complex, and bunker of Festung Guernsey—Fortress Guernsey. As we drove to the southwest corner of the island, I spotted four of the island’s famous brown-and-white-spotted Guernsey dairy cattle grazing in a field stretching down to the sea; there are not many left today on an island where land is at a premium and the cheapest property an outsider can purchase starts at $1.5 million. And then dead ahead, dominating the rocky coastline, was the five-story naval observation tower at Pleinmont, a concrete version of one of the Easter Island statues, out of scale, anthropomorphic with its oversized mouthlike slits.

Heaume took me into the restored bunker of a 105mm gun position at Fort Hommet; he spent 30,000 pounds on the project back in the 1990s, removing piles of debris and painstakingly recreating the interior as it was during the war. It was almost too neat; I was drawn more to the decaying old fort at the headland where the Nazis had built a mammoth bunker crazily fused into a Napoleonic-era tower, erected by the locals to keep the French from invading back in the first years of the 19th century. Everywhere the past and present juxtapose oddly. I certainly never would have noticed it, but Heaume pointed out to me a series of new houses that used German 88mm gun emplacements as their foundations. A Neolithic tomb in the midst of a green hillside was used by the Germans as an ammunition storage depot. A bunker along the coast road is the innocuous backdrop to a bus stop. Up on the higher ground overlooking a bay on the west coast that the Germans feared might be an Allied invasion point, a house was being erected over a gun-bunker complex that will serve as its strange new basement.

Nearby we tramped across a soggy field, through a muddy fenced yard now used for paintball wars, and there amid a few vines was a series of concrete steps leading down into a vast subterranean labyrinth. Our flashlights lit up graffiti of recent vintage scrawled below Nazi eagles and slogans about victory over England. Room after room led on—the site provided housing for 72 men, storage for stacks of 12-inch shells, trolleys to move them to the gun, tunnels leading to a radar site on the other side of the tiny country lane. After D-Day, the Allies decided to simply bypass the Channel Islands to avoid a needless and bloody fight, so Guernsey entered an even stranger chapter in its history, ruled by a cutoff German garrison and slowly starving to death. Most of the 700 horses the Germans brought as draft and riding mounts were eaten; were it not for a Red Cross ship that was finally allowed to bring in food parcels, thousands would have perished. The islanders’ suffering only came to an end in the spring of 1945, after Germany surrendered.

But May 9 is still celebrated as Liberation Day there; in a place where 4,000-year-old monuments still stand in farm fields, the history of a half-century ago is not about to vanish. When You Go Guernsey is a one-hour flight from London (schedules and fares at aurigny.com and flybe.com ), and is also accessible by ferry from England and France ( condorferries.co.uk ). Many Guernsey hotels offer two- or three-day “short break” packages that include accommodations, meals, airfare, and car rental at a substantial saving. The German Occupation Museum (44 1481 238205) leads guided walks and “occupation rambles” through some of the fortifications and bunkers. Where to Stay and Eat The Fermain Valley Hotel is on a beautiful wooded hillside overlooking a sheltered cove and also has Guernsey’s only Michelin-star restaurant (doubles from $250 in summer; fermainvalley.com , 44 1481 235666).

Les Douvres, a former 18th-century manor house that’s been converted to a pub, offers nice bar lunches as well as bed-and-breakfast accommodations ($150 for a double; lesdouvreshotel.co.uk , 44 1481 238731). Locals recommend Le Nautique and The Absolute End in St. Peter Port for the best local seafood. What Else to See Hauteville House, where the French writer Victor Hugo lived in exile for 15 years (and where he wrote the novel Les Misérables), is open for tours from April to September. The Channel Islands – Crown Jewels off the Coast of France ‹ Robin Ratchford: Traveller, Writer, Adventurer [Show slideshow] The origins of this unusual status can be traced back to 933 when the islands became part of the Duchy of Normandy. In 1066, William Duke of Normandy invaded England, won the Battle of Hastings and became its King – William the Conqueror. A century and a half later, King John (the one who features unfavourably in the Robin Hood stories) lost the Norman territories to France.

Some years on, one of John’s successors surrendered his claim to the Duchy of Normandy, but kept the Channel Islands. Since then, the islands have been governed as possessions of the Crown separate from the rest of Britain. The islands are now the last remaining territories of the Duchy of Normandy. Here, Queen Elizabeth II is often referred to by her traditional title of Duke of Normandy, although since the 13th century the reigning monarch has governed as king or queen rather than as duke. Even so, at formal dinners locals toast to ‘The Queen, our Duke’, rather than to ‘Her Majesty, The Queen’ as in the UK. The eight inhabited islands and six uninhabited islets that make up the Channel Islands are divided into two separate bailiwicks (a territory run by a bailiff): the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Each bailiwick has its own currency – Jersey pounds and Guernsey pounds – and, unlike mainland Britain, still uses one pound notes rather than coins. The Channel Islands have important off shore banking industries. The two largest islands are Jersey and Guernsey.

Of the other inhabited islands, Alderney, Sark and Herm are the biggest with populations of 2000, 600 and 60 respectively. Saint Helier, the compact capital of Jersey (pop. 28 000), and Saint Peter Port (pop. 16 500), the capital of Guernsey, look much like any small seaside towns on the British mainland. The islands’ proximity to France – just 13 km at the nearest point – and their history give them a particular atmosphere. Historically, French was the lingua franca. Today, English dominates, but French remains an official language. A number of other languages with their origins in Norman French are also spoken, such as Jèrrais on Jersey and Guernésiais on Guernsey, but, sadly, the numbers of speakers is declining. During the Second World War, the Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces. There are still many historical sites and museums which trace the islands’ wartime history. Guernsey was once home to the French writer Victor Hugo.

After first going into exile in Brussels and Jersey, he moved to Saint Peter Port on Guernsey and lived there from 1855-70. His home, Hauteville House, is now owned by the City of Paris, which runs a Victor Hugo museum in part of it. On my tour of the early 19th century building, the guide explained that Hugo’s real passion was not writing, but interior design. Each room is decorated in a completely different style. More recently, Jersey was the home of naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell, who set up a small zoo on the island – the Durrell Wildlife Park – which focuses on saving endangered species from extinction. One animal you can see grazing in the fields of Jersey are the island’s famous cows. A small breed with a fawn coat, their milk is particularly rich and creamy. One way to sample it is in delicious Jersey fudge! All Content © Robin Ratchford 2016 Paris tourism, paris hotels + monuments - Paris Eiffel Tower News Victor Hugo's House in Paris by Lisa Sanderson “Adversity makes men and prosperity makes monsters”, according to Victor Hugo. This did not apply, however, to the famous French writer himself.

Victor Hugo’s house in Paris is located on Place des Vosges (the Vosges Square — see other article here ), in the quaint 3rd district of the French capital. After climbing up the many and rather steep stairs, visitors will discover a beautifully decorated and sumptuous house. Originally built in the 16th century, it retains in many ways the atmosphere of that era, with its wooden antique furniture, chandeliers and heavy curtains. It is also rather dark compared to our modern way of decorating which favors light. Victor Hugo, as well as being a wonderful writer, was an excellent interior decorator and the whole house exudes good taste. The rooms which are especially interesting are the Chinese room which is filled with Oriental art and exquisitely painted plates and the bedroom/study where Victor Hugo wrote. The high ceilings, some with beautiful chandeliers, give a feeling of extra spaciousness. The artist himself decorated these rooms and fabricated many fine pieces of furniture. Victor Hugo’s life is explained in detail so that visitors can follow it by wandering through the house. The four-storey, red-brick house overlooks the open space of the Place des Vosges.

This square, green park is one of the prettiest places in Paris, surrounded by historic buildings and expensive art galleries. Although this is a hugely expensive area to live in today, in Victor Hugo’s day it was almost a slum area, close to the Bastille Prison. A champion of the poor, Hugo wanted to be surrounded by the people he wrote about. But he lived in style! Born in 1802, Hugo was the son of a General who served under Napoleon I, but he was raised in Paris by his mother who had strong royalist sympathies. At the young age of 20 he married Adele Foucher, his childhood sweetheart, against his mother’s wishes. She thought that Adele was not good enough for him. Hugo became a famous lyric poet and novelist and well-loved by the people. But in the 1840’s tragedy struck. His verse drams Les Burgraves failed, and one of his two daughters, Leopoldine, died in a drowning accident. Hugo became a member of the constitutional government of King Louis Philippe, but when Louis Napoleon III reinstated the Empire in 1851 Hugo was horrified.

He went into exile first in Brussels, then in the Channel Islands where he wrote his wonderful novel about the poor of Paris, Les Miserables, and several volumes of poetry. There he lived with his beautiful mistress, Juliette Drouet, with whom he fell in love after his wife had an affair with his good friend. After the fall of Napoleon III in 1870, Victor Hugo returned to France to great acclaim. He became a member of the National Assembly and a senator of the Third French Republic. --- Lisa Sanderson is a talented contributor to Paris Eiffel Tower News . Hailing from "Down Under", she travels to Paris regularly and is crazy about the city. Reach her for professional writing jobs at . Island Life - the Channel Islands leading community site & now with blogs - Victor Hugo Home > Guernsey > Attractions > Places of Interest > Victor Hugo Victor Hugo Victor Hugo the famous French writer Victor Hugo arrived in Guernsey with his wife Adele on 31st October 1855 and lived her in exile from 1855 to 1870 following his expulsion from France during the coup d'etat in 1852.

At first he rented 20 Hauteville but later acquired it for his mistress of fifty years Juliette Drouet. He then purchased 38 Hauteville to give himself and family security of tenure and while in Guernsey wrote 'Les Miserables', the inspiration for the west end musical. This fascinating property was given to the city of Paris by Jeanne Hugo and the children of George Hugo in 1927. On landing in Guernsey on a rough rain-lashed day, it was love at first sight. St Peter Port enchanted him and wrote 'That corner of the old Norman land where live the noble little people of the sea, the isle of Guernsey, stern and gentle, my present refuge, my probable tomb.' He also described St Peter Port as 'A real old Norman port, hardly anglicised at all.' Later he wrote ' A gothic church, streets ancient, narrow, uneven, odd amusing, intersected by steps, clambering up and tumbling down, the houses piled on top of one another so that they all have a view of the sea.

And a little harbour where the vessels are stacked together, where the yard-arms of the schooners ever risk smashing into the windows that overlook the quay.' Victor Hugo House 38, Hauteville Another of Hugo's best known works, 'Toilers of the Sea' was dedicated to the people of Guernsey. A map entitled the 'Victor Hugo trail' is available from the Guernsey Information Centre and shows the many places in Guernsey that feature in this novel. This includes St Sampsons, the home of several of his characters. He also describes the sea channel that separated the north of island extending to Grande Havre, later filled in. The trail also includes Vale Castle, Houmet Paradis, L'Ancresse and Cobo Bay. A second trail, the southern one, takes in Fermain Bay where Hugo often bathed and continues to the Doyle Column at Jerbourg, Moulin Huet Bay, Le Gouffre, Pleinmont and back into the centre of the island to Bailiff's Cross. His life was a mixture of literature and politics and used his writings to highlight the plight of the poor of Paris.

However how many people realise that he spent a fortune looking after the poor of Guernsey. His immaculately kept diaries and accounts show every amount that he spent and from there we have learned that he used to give away £20,000 per annum to charitable causes. In addition he ran a special dining club for the poor children of St Peter Port. He referred to this as 'Le Diner des enfants pauvres'. At first he started feeding eight children once a week on a Tuesday but as news of this spread, the numbers increased to forty, with members of his own family serving. In fact he used to go out looking for poor children and would bring them back to be clothed and fed. This led to him becoming known as Guernsey's own Father Christmas. He would be seen walking the streets of St Peter Port and the cliff paths in all weathers. Whereas he had been evicted from Jersey for his drinking and cannabis smoking, the Guernsey people loved him. Hugo lived in Guernsey for just over 15 years until 9 November 1878. He died in Paris in 1885 and was given a state funeral. He is buried in the Pantheon.

Hauteville House is open 1st April to 30 September Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 11.45am and 2.00pm to 4.45pm (10.00am to 4.45 pm July & August). Closed on Sundays and bank holidays. Guided tours only (max 15 persons). St Peter Port - Topic Guernsey St Peter Port Pupil Area ‎ > ‎ St Peter Port St Peter Port is Guernsey’s capital and it's main port. As well as being a busy town, St Peter Port is also a parish with steep cliffs, residential areas and beaches. The parish is on the east coast of Guernsey and it shares borders with St Sampson’s, Vale, St Andrew’s and St Martin’s. St Peter Port is Guernsey’s main shopping centre, home to the island’s government, the main port of entry as well as being a centre for the offshore finance industry. St Peter Port started as a small fishing village. Fisherman, privateers, traders and merchants were attracted by its location, sheltered by the other islands, and turned it into a growing seaport.

It has been a busy trading post since Roman times. St Peter Port is now a large port with ferries going to England and France, and many inter-island ferries. It has three marinas for pleasure boats and it is also home to many fishing boats. Today the buildings of St Peter Port are a blend of different styles with medieval, Georgian and regency buildings as well as some French influences. Most of the town has been pedestrianised and some of the narrow cobbled streets and hidden alleyways have kept their old-fashioned charm. Town is now home to a good selection of British high-street stores but it also has many local shops. There is a huge choice of restaurants, cafes and bars. Castle Cornet is an ancient harbour fortress which dates from the 13th century. It used to be on a separate tidal island (like Lihou) until a breakwater and bridge attached it to the rest of Guernsey in the 19th century. It acted as Guernsey’s main defense against sea raiders who wanted to invade the island.

The castle has an interesting history, which includes being captured by the French in the 14th century, being struck by lightening in the 17th century, it was also occupied by the Germans in World War Two. It became the only British castle to be bombed by the Royal Air Force. Town church is considered by many people as the finest church in the Channel Islands. Records of the church date back to 1048 (that’s nearly 1000 years ago) and it is likely that the original building was made of wood. Since then the church has had an interesting history and it has undergone many transformations. The church has been used as a refuge against attack, home to the parish fire pump and it lost its windows in an explosion in the harbour during the German occupation. During the French Revolution St Peter Port was home to the famous French writer, Victor Hugo. He is thought by many to be the most famous figure ever to have lived in the Channel Islands. Two of his major works, 'Notre Dame de Paris' and 'Les Misérables', were completed in Guernsey.

Hauteville House, where he lived in exile for 15 years (from 1856 to 1870) is now open as a museum. There is also a statue of Victor Hugo gazing towards France in Candie Gardens. Also in Candie Gardens, the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery tells the story of Guernsey’s past. St Peter Port has many interesting buildings which tell us about Guernsey’s past. Elizabeth College, the boys public school was built in 1563 and stands at the top of town like a castle. Victoria tower, near the fire-station, was built to remember Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s surprise visit to Guernsey in 1846. Laid in the foundations of the tower was a time capsule which contained English and Guernsey coins. St James is an old regency church, built in 1815, which has been converted into a concert hall. The royal court house is the meeting place of the island’s parliament. The parish of St Peter Port includes the residential areas of Fort George and the stretch of cliffs that include, Soldiers’ bay, and part of Fermain.

Every year at around April or May, the woods behind Fort George are covered with bluebells. Either side of the harbours are the flatter bays of Belle Greve and Havelet. The open-air bathing pools at La Valette are filled up by the sea and are a popular place to swim in town. Many local events take place in St Peter Port. It is the centre for Liberation Day celebrations where islanders celebrate the island being liberated from the German Occupation during World war two with concerts, a cavalcade and fireworks. It is also the setting for the Harbour carnival which includes boat races, fireworks, a tug of war and the man-powered flight. The Val des Terres is home to the hill climb. Cars and bikes race up the winding hill which leads into town from the south. Find out more... Guernsey Photo Page Guernsey Photo Page Guernsey Photo Page Positioned just off the coast of France within the English Channel, the beautiful Channel Islands, all British Crown dependencies, are fiercely independent and justifiably proud of their history and traditions. They are considered the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy, and are not part of the United Kingdom.

They include the two separate territories (or bailiwicks) of Guernsey and Jersey, both administered separately since the late 13th century. The islands are quite famous for their stoic resistance during German occupation in World War II, with remnants of that war still dotting the local landscape. Saint Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey as well as the main port in the islands. In fact, Guernsey's capital has been a busy port since Roman times. This small town has a number of interesting attractions and a fascinating history. With its cobbled streets and picturesque seafront marina, it is easy to see why St Peter Port is considered one of Europe's most attractive harbor towns. Victor Hugo, the French poet, playwright and novelist lived on Guernsey in exile for a number of years. In fact, while there, he wrote "Les Miserables." The town of St. Peter Port is built on hills and this is a look at some steps leading up one of the hills. This narrow pathway is named Constitution Way, and if you were to climb it, it would certainly challenge your constitution.

Born in Guernsey, Thomas de la Rue founded De La Rue plc, a company which is now the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker This is an island of colors, and local phone booths, mailboxes and buses are no exception Traditional Fish & Chips served here. The island's namesake cow, the Guernsey, and the cheese produced from its milk has made the breed world famous. Guernsey Island lives by and from the sea, and boats are everywhere; ferries, ocean-going tankers, sailboats and small rowboats cover the harbor. Cruise shops are common in the summer months Tide movement is strong in the English Channel, and there are times of the day when all boats in the Guernsey Island harbor have no where to go, so they just sit in the mud until the tide rises. These are typical houses and rooftops on the island. I can see the French influence. The classic stone architecture of Guernsey's Salem Church. It stands in the middle of town, and is quite striking. Castle Cornet fronts St. Peter Port's harbor, and this ancient and historic castle is an imposing site. This is a slice of one of the outside walls.

It was first fortified as a castle between 1206 and 1256 and served as the official residence of the Governor of Guernsey until 1672 when the keep was catastrophically destroyed. A bolt of lightning struck the magazine of the castle, destroying the keep and a number of living quarters And of course...anywhere you have narrow, hilly roads in the UK, you will have sports cars. It's a given! Racing model boats is very popular on Guernsey Island, and on a large enclosed harbor side pool dozens and dozens of boats compete for bragging rights. These are two of the sailboats in the competition. Coach holidays to the Channel Islands 2017 | Door2Tour.com Currency: Pound Sterling Time Zone: GMT Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required.

Literally just a stone's throw away (8 miles) from the shores of Normandy and only 100 miles from the UK mainland, you will come across the beautiful Channel Islands, where French and British cultures combine creating wonderful holiday experiences for all who visit. You will discover on coach holidays to the Channel Islands that they are made up of five separate isles varying in size and popularity. Jersey and Guernsey are the largest followed by the smaller isles of Alderney, Sark and Herm – each providing a unique holiday experience for the discerning traveller. The most popular holiday destination when considering tours to the Channel Islands is of course Jersey with its magnificent coastline stretching for an eye watering 48 miles that's ideal for an abundance of activities from walking to cycling. The history of Jersey is fascinating, stretching back over thousands of years and represented via the Norman style farmhouses, narrow country lanes and French street names that you'll come across though your tour of discovery here.

Jersey covers an area of only 45 square miles but this just adds to the appeal of the island from the grandeur of La Corbière to St Aubin's Bay, lush valleys, unspoilt coastline and the stunning Elizabeth Castle – there's plenty to keep everyone entertained on coach breaks to the Channel Islands. Another popular choice when considering coach tours of the Channel Islands is Guernsey, located in the Bay of St Malo just 30 miles off the French Coast. Guernsey is popular for its stunning scenery which is partly due to the fact that the Channel Islands receive more hours of sunshine than the UK meaning that a variety of plants and flowers thrive on the island that would otherwise perish in the harsh winters of the UK. This milder climate means that outdoor activities become a way of life for both islanders and tourists with stunning walking trails that encompass the magnificent coastline and where dining al fresco is the norm. St Peters Port is a mecca for visitors on coach holidays to Guernsey as it is considered by many to be one of the prettiest harbour towns in Europe, but you'll need comfy footwear to negotiate the cobbled streets before exploring the picturesque marina.

The islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark are much smaller in size but are definitely worth visiting during your tour of the Channel Islands. Alderney is the perfect destination for a peaceful retreat from the rush of daily life as there are plenty of wide open spaces to truly escape and get back to nature. The mild climate provides fabulous opportunities to see a variety of wildflower as well as engaging in a spot of bird-watching. Whatever activity you wish to do, you won't have to travel far to achieve it! Herm is only 3 miles from the coast of Guernsey where you can really get away from it all as there are no cars and no crowds. Uncover unspoilt beaches, walk the coastal path and spot a variety of migratory birds that flock to the island. The last of the small islands is Sark where life is leisurely and no vehicles are allowed except tractors. Enjoy magnificent views from the headlands, dive in the tranquil clear waters and see what wildlife you can spot during your travels. Please note that Sark is closed to day-trippers on Sundays.

You will find that the majority of escorted tours to the Channel Islands will include travel by air or ferry and upon arrival you will be met by the coach that will take you to your hotel and will be used for the various excursions (if your tour includes these). The board basis is usually dinner, bed and breakfast. Just remember that although the islands will accept Pounds Sterling in payment, you will not be able to use Guernsey Pounds in the UK! To help you have an enjoyable holiday on the Channel Islands, take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): Tourist Office Health and Travel Insurance British Citizens are advised by some of our tour operators to have travel insurance before going on a tour or holiday, even if it happens to be in your country of residence. As a British citizen you will be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS. If you are visiting England from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from any member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can obtain free or reduced cost treatment with The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for all other nationals planning on visiting the England.

If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in England simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance. Crime Most destinations are generally trouble-free, however as with all places that you are not familiar with, keep an eye on your belongings and if necessary lock them away somewhere safe back at your hotel if possible. Keep an eye on everyone in your party and do not go off with people you do not know. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t venture off on your own. Local Laws and Customs Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk! Drug offences will carry penalties in the UK, so avoid getting involved with anything whilst in England. Please note the narcotic plant Khat/Qat is legal in the UK, but is not in a majority of other countries so never try to export this when leaving the UK. If you are visiting England from outside of the United Kingdom it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with England's custom laws.

For those people coming to England from the EU, you are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of most goods for your own use without paying tax or duty. This website will be useful before you travel: hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm However, if you are travelling to England from outside of the EU, you are given an allowance of how much alcohol, tobacco, perfume, souvenirs and other goods. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs websites before you travel for full details: hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm Entry Requirements When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man in most cases an official form of identification such as a Driver's License will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so check before you travel. If you are travelling to England from Australia, Canada or the USA, you must have a valid passport for at least three months beyond the length of your stay. EU nationals need to have either a valid passport or identity card.

Visas for the UK are not required by those travelling from Australia, Canada, USA or EU for stays of up to six months. Any other nationality looking to visit the UK must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements. Tourist offices: For further information on the Channel Islands please go to the Official Tourism Website: visitchannelislands.com/ There's plenty of things to do and see whilst in the Channel Islands, here are just a few examples: The Guernsey Tapestry Many consider this tapestry, that depicts over 1000 years of history as exquisite, and provides a fabulous insight to what life was once like on the island. The tapestry is made up of 10 embroidered panels and visitors will find out more via the audio guide as they wander around this purpose-built gallery. Hauteville House, Guernsey This is where the famous French writer, Victor Hugo, spent 14 years in exile. He personally decorated the property in between writing his literary masterpieces. You can have a guided tour of the house (in French or English) but these are by appointment only and will generally last one hour.

La Corbière, Jersey Due to the rugged coastline, it was deemed too dangerous for shipping, so in 1874 the Corbière Lighthouse was first lit. This is a popular spot for both tourists and visitors alike as it provides excellent views and the sunsets here are stunning. Noirmont Point, Jersey A permanent war memorial on the headland near to Portelet Bay where the bunkers and emplacements have been maintained by the Channel Islands Occupation Society since 1977 making it a safe place for the public to visit. Please note that L 'Ouaisnè, which surrounds Noirmont Point, is a protected area so you must keep to the pathways.

Question: Which noted French writer lived in exile in the Channel Islands from 1855-1870?
Answer: VICTOR HUGO