Gallic flair and a rich history win hearts and minds in Guernsey

The first thing I noticed upon landing was the strong French atmosphere. Although a British dependency, Guernsey is only 30 miles from the Normandy coast and there are many influences to see.

Many of the signs on shop fronts in the capital, St. Peter Port, are in French and the island has that quaint feel you’d expect from a traditional French village.

Throughout my visit, it was the island’s rich history that captured my heart.

First, we checked in at the picturesque Fermain Valley Hotel, which is situated in the beautiful and unspoilt Fermain Valley near St Peter Port, with superb cliff-top views of the neighboring Channel Islands.

We make our way to the nearby Bella Luce Hotel to learn all about Wheadon’s Gin. Crafted for over a hundred years by the local Wheadon family in their small batch distillery, the gin is made in traditional copper stills and features ingredients harvested on the island such as sea fennel from the nearby cliffs and tangerine limes grown in the local greenhouses to be grown.

In fact, during our 30-minute introductory experience, I discovered a new favorite drink—samphire and pink grapefruit gin.

Then it was off to dinner at Copenhagen Bar and Grill, a place that offers great views of St. Peter Port, Castle Cornet and Havelet Bay. I chose their seafood linguini and it did not disappoint.

After satiating our appetites, we spent the rest of the evening basking in the wonderful atmosphere of the restaurant over a few drinks. I even met a Cavan colleague who works there and is originally from a town a stone’s throw from where I was born. The world is really very small.

The next morning it was time to meet Gold accredited tour guide Gill Girard who brought the local history alive for us. We met Gill in the beautiful Candie Gardens, a jewel of a Victorian garden donated to the people of Guernsey by the merchant who owned it.

Gill gave us a whistle stop tour and showed us a statue of the famous writer Victor Hugo. It was presented in 1914 by the French government in thanks for the hospitality shown to the writer during his 15 years on the island.

Hugo had the Second Empire of Napoleon III. resisted and had been banished, first from France, then from Belgium, then from neighboring Jersey. But by 1855 he had found a home in Guernsey which he called “the rock of hospitality and liberty”.

It was in Hauteville House, now a museum, that the creator of The Hunchback of Notre Dame wrote some of his best works, including the five volumes of Les Miserableswhich is still being reinvented for theater and screen.

He also spent six years outfitting the home with Gothic flourishes, carved woodwork, ornate tiling, ornate chandeliers, and statues.