The island of Jersey is between France and England. Open left menu Jersey Island What do you know about Jersey Island

The largest of the Channel Islands is Jersey, which is located in the English Channel. Its status is interesting - it is not part of Great Britain, but is a crown possession of the British Monarchy.

On the map, Jersey represents only a small piece of land (116 sq. km.), and the population is 89 thousand people, but life is in full swing on the small island.

is offshore zone, the island's main sources of income are tourism and the financial services industry.

Agriculture is also developing here (everyone knows the Jersey breed of cows and Jersey Royal potatoes), fishing and light industry (the production of jersey fabric).

History of the island

Jersey has been known for 8 thousand years, and in its rich history the English and French nations are closely intertwined.

Almost 250 thousand years ago, when the island of Jersey was still part of the continent, people already inhabited these places. Stone tools found during excavations date back to this period.

The name of the capital of the island - St. Helier - is derived from the name of the hermit Helier, who lived and preached here in the 6th century and was recognized as a saint.

Jersey was first part of the Roman Empire. In the 9th century, the Normans began to frequently attack the island. In 933, all the Channel Islands became part of the Duchy of Normandy.

Jersey was frequently attacked during the Hundred Years' War and was even occupied in the 1380s. Due to its strategic location, the island's inhabitants negotiated profitable terms for life with the King. During the War of the White and Scarlet Roses, the island was occupied by the French, but then returned to the British.

In the 18th century, political tension arose again between England and France, which naturally affected the life of the island - it was constantly under martial law.

After the Napoleonic Wars, Jersey became oriented toward English-speaking culture. The island at that time was the most important shipbuilding center in the British Isles.

During World War II, the island was occupied by the Germans, so May 9 (“Liberation Day”) is considered a public holiday here.

Sights of Jersey

There are many reasons to visit this island, since local attractions are represented by medieval castles, beautiful nature and museums.

One of the interesting castles that played a big role in the history of the island is Queen Elizabeth's Castle, built in the 1590s, and the Hermitage - a small chapel in honor of St. Helier.

Mont Orgel Castle was built even earlier - in the 13th century. It has been well preserved since that time, and since its observation deck A picturesque panorama of the sea and the island opens.

Grosnez Castle was built in the 14th century and has survived to this day in the form of ruins.. The nearby 60-meter cliff Le Pinacle is considered an object of religious worship.

Another military site was Kempt's Tower, built in 1834 and named after the commander-in-chief of the artillery general who participated in the Battle of Waterloo. The tower is surrounded by ponds, forests and sand dunes, which attracts a huge number of tourists to this place.

The Jersey Zoo and its conservation foundation were founded by the island's most famous resident – Gerald Durrell. The zoo was created in 1959, and a little later - a fund for the conservation of wild animals.

Thanks to him they were saved rare species animals, such as the pink dove, radiated tortoise, corroboree frog and others. Now the zoo is home to more than 130 species of animals.

An interesting structure on the island is a working mill, built back in 1309. For a long time it was abandoned, but in 1979 it was renovated. Now it is the only working mill on the island.

One more interesting object where you can see the life of the province, is the Museum of Provincial Life, where you can see restored buildings from a bygone era - thatched houses, a laundry, a stable, pens with pets. Costume performances are often held on the territory of this museum.

IN Maritime Museum Jersey Several exhibitions are presented: historical exhibitions, the development of shipbuilding on the island, picturesque sculptures, sea voyages, etc.

The years of the Second World War will be told in the exhibitions of the museum, which was formerly a German military hospital.. It's a big system underground tunnels and galleries, during the construction of which many local residents died unable to withstand the harsh conditions of occupation.

The lavender farm is considered the most fragrant attraction on the island.. During its flowering period (May–August), here you can observe the process of its cultivation, harvesting and drying, and purchase farm products in the local souvenir shop.

In 1957, a Shell Garden appeared on the island., which Colin Soudane began collecting for his own pleasure before realizing that others were interested in it. He still makes shell souvenirs, although management has long been transferred to someone else.

Another object worth paying attention to is the glass Church of St. Matthew. Its altar, crucifix, columns and font are made of glass, and all glass parts are unique, since their creator, René Lalique, destroyed the molds immediately after their manufacture.

Popular events on the island

This small piece of land on the map is rich in public events:

At the end of March there is a flower festival, at the end of May there is a fair of a fishing village, as well as a cheese festival, which will be a paradise for gourmets,

In June, you should definitely visit the maritime parade, which is held in the harbor of St. Helier,

In mid-August, one of the most vibrant carnivals in Europe, “Flower Battle”, is held.

In September – International air parade and motorcycle racing,

Men will certainly be interested in the exhibition and sale of yachts and boats held in May, and the festival of motor vehicles in June.

The most French of all the possessions of the British crown, the island of Jersey is located in the English Channel, on the sea route from England to France. Formally, Jersey is not part of Great Britain, and this largely determines the character of the local residents: they feel equally independent from both powers and call themselves jerseymen and jerseywomen. The key position between the island and the continent affected the fate of Jersey: both the Gauls and the Normans made their mark here, enriching the local culture in their own way.

In the financial world, the island is known primarily as a major offshore center. Nature lovers are attracted by the picturesque wild coastline with cliffs intricately cut by sea waves and incredible 12-meter tides. Well, everyone who comes from childhood is in a hurry to visit the zoo, founded by the famous naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell. And the island will not leave fashionistas and shopaholics disappointed - after all, you can only buy real jersey on Jersey itself!

The capital is Saint Helier.

How to get to the island of Jersey

There are no direct flights from Russian cities to the island of Jersey; you will have to make a transfer to get there. British Airways offers convenient connections; the only drawback is the need to travel from Heathrow to Gatwick. In addition, the low-cost airline Flyby flies from Gatwick to the island. Planes take off every 2 hours. The flight from London to Jersey takes 45 minutes. An Air France flight departs from Paris to the island every day; the flight will take the same 45 minutes.

From Jersey Airport to the city center you can take bus number 15, fare - 2.20 GBP.

High-speed ferries from Condor Ferries and Emeraude Lines run from the French port of Saint-Malo to Jersey; the journey takes about an hour. You can also reach the island by sea from the ports of Southern England - Poole, Portsmouth and Weymouth, although in this case you will have to spend at least 3 hours on the road. Prices on the page are indicated for September 2018.

Since the island is a British Crown Dependency, you must obtain a UK visa to visit it.

Search for flights to London (the closest airport to the Island of Jersey)

Transport on the island

You can get around Jersey by bus, taxi, rented car; lovers of physical activity can also ride a bicycle or simply walk.

The two most useful bus routes for tourists - No. 1 and 15 - go from the capital, Saint-Ellier, to the east and west of the island, respectively. They run at intervals of no more than 20 minutes; buses run until approximately 23:30. The cost of a trip to any distance is 2.20 GBP. If you plan to travel by bus regularly, it makes sense to purchase an AvanchiCard: for 7 days it costs 15 GBP, for 31 days it costs 45 GBP.

Renting a car is the best way to see all the island's attractions. International rental companies Avis, Hertz and Europcar are represented. Prices start from 77 GBP per day. Like everywhere else in the UK, you drive on the left.

Cuisine and restaurants

The sophistication of French and the generosity of English cuisine, coupled with an abundance of fish and seafood and fresh vegetables, is the formula for Jersey's gastronomic traditions. Seafood connoisseurs should definitely try king prawns, lobsters and oysters - they are guaranteed to be grown in local waters, fresh and very tasty. “Milk souls” are doubly lucky: this is where the famous Jersey breed of cows comes from, producing milk with high fat content, from which delicious dairy products are obtained - from cottage cheese and cheese to sour cream and ice cream.

From traditional dishes Jersey is worth trying the so-called bean pot - a rich soup of dried beans and pig's feet, seasoned with aromatic herbs, and conger eel soup with calendula petals. For dessert, you can order milk-sugar balls “fiot”, apples in “budlo” dough or “mervey” - pastries tied with a double knot.

Shopping and shops

Jersey is famous for its textile production, making it a shopping paradise. Most shops are concentrated in Saint-Hélier and are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30; on Thursdays many close late in the evening. It is worth paying attention to knitwear and hand-knitted items with a characteristic fine weave of threads, by which you can unmistakably recognize the jersey material.

By the way, it can be made not only of wool, but also of cotton, silk and synthetic, so when purchasing, it would be useful to inquire about the composition of the fabric.

Jersey is a tiny island

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of the island of Jersey

Jersey can be divided into 4 parts: south, north, east and west, each of which has its own unique character. The south is the capital of Saint-Hélier and its city attractions: architectural monuments, museums, art galleries plus excellent beaches and plenty of water activities in the Bay of Saint-Aubin. To the north you'll find wildlife, rugged rocky coastlines and the animal lovers' mecca of Durrell Zoo. The east is history and the sea: the medieval castle on Mount Orhei, the fishing ports and harbors of Gori, the pier of St. Catherine and Rozelle. Well, in the west there are long valleys and the aMaizin amusement park! and the surf sites of St. Ouen's Bay.

The Gerald Durrell Wildlife Park is home to 130 species of the planet's rarest animals.

You should start your acquaintance with Saint-Hélier with the Castle of Elisabeth - a military fort on a narrow cape, from which the foundation of the city began in 550 BC. e. 16 New Street is a Victorian mansion with period furnishings. Definitely worth a visit Historical Museum Jersey and art gallery, and learn more about the islanders' relationship with the elements at the Museum of Maritime History.

The most recent historical attraction of the capital of Jersey is the so-called Tunnels: an underground military hospital from the Second World War.

In the east of the island there is the castle of Mont Orgueil, which protected Jersey from the encroachments of the French for 6 centuries. The labyrinths of its corridors, secret passages and rooms hide the most interesting exhibits, such as the medieval “urine wheel” and the working “tools” of a witch. Well, for ancient history The island is home to the museum of the Neolithic site of La Hug-Bie, 6,000 years old.

In west Jersey, it is worth visiting the historic Greve-des-Lecs barracks and the Channel Islands Military Museum, checking out the still-operating De Quétivel watermill, and strolling through the Lavender Farm. Children of all ages are invited to the aMaizin! amusement park, and their parents to the golf courses and water sports stations.

Well, north Jersey is crowned with the brightest diamond in the crown of local attractions - the Gerald Durrell Wildlife Park on the territory of the medieval Ogre estate. More than 130 species of the rarest animals on the planet live in conditions as close to natural as possible. The park is working to restore their population and return individuals born here to their natural habitat.

Well, in general, in my opinion, for a post-Soviet (I repeat, but that’s how it happened) naturalist-ecologist who grew up reading Darrell’s books, visiting his zoo is the same as an old-school communist taking a ride in Lenin’s armored car along Red Square. Touch the legend, yeah.

A house made of Jersey granite - the main building material of the island.

So we simply could not miss such a chance. I gained all my knowledge about the island exclusively from Darrell’s books, and he wrote practically nothing about it. In addition, there are quite a lot of rich people here, and some of them raise cows. Usually I collect much more information about the destination of the proposed trip, but this time it somehow didn’t work out. Therefore, all impressions are unbiased and first-hand.

The island is really small, so I decided to walk from the airport to the zoo (it was about 15 kilometers in total, although I stopped by on the way to the capital). The first thing that caught my eye was that there are no sidewalks here at all. Or rather, there are only in the capital, and then only in the center. The rest of the territory is covered with excellent highways, exactly one lane in each direction, no shoulders at all, winding between fields and hills. So it’s somehow not very comfortable to walk, but it’s possible - the drivers are surprisingly polite. Not only does no one honk, but they even overtake a pedestrian only in the oncoming lane, so as not to pass closer than a meter from him. If other cars are driving along it towards you, they line up behind you and crawl at walking speed, patiently waiting for a clearing.

And the cars here are cooler than even in our fairly comfortable Ascot. The number of Ferraris per capita exceeds all imaginable limits. The most sophisticated Aston Martins, open top Jaguars of the latest model, restored retro cars loudly growling with brand new engines - and all this beauty crawls behind the only pedestrian on the island. I was worried for a couple of hours, but then I somehow got used to it. Apparently, that's the way it is here.

The second extremely unusual sight is that almost the entire island is plowed up for fields (except for areas left for pastures for cows) - and now all these fields are covered with wonderful, flat polyethylene. The edges of the tape are dug into the ground, the surface is covered with round holes for ventilation, the tape is perfectly stretched and shines in the sun. A wonderful sight. Moreover, they plow up and cover quite steep slopes with polyethylene, I would think three times before deciding to just go down such a slope, and they somehow plow it. As it turned out, only potatoes are grown in these fields. Apparently some special variety, I don’t know. It would take a long time to save up for a Ferrari from ordinary potatoes...

In general, there are exactly two types of business on the island - growing potatoes and raising Jersey dairy cows. Well, you can still fish. This is probably a very profitable business, because almost everyone lives here very luxuriously. Although, of course, now the island is a tax-free zone, most of the estates were built 150-200 years ago, and then they were unlikely to earn fortunes from financial fraud...

The third interesting observation is that the street names are exclusively French. As are the names of most estates. Moreover, in the area where we settled, the streets evoke exclusively gastronomic associations (I don’t know French at all, and I can’t read their language correctly, so maybe in reality everything is completely different), but we live on Rue de Bouillon, on one side it turns into the Rue de Biscuit, and on the other into the Chalet d'Olivier.

The island of Jersey prints its own money. Stores are happy to accept British pounds, but only Jersey ones, with a wonderful portrait of a cow, are given for change. The reverse, unfortunately, is not true - in England, Jersey currency will first have to be exchanged at a bank.

And, of course, we can’t help but mention the sea. The shores here are mostly steep, either with sheer cliffs right down to the water, or steep slopes overgrown with heather and thorns. But the underwater part is very flat, and during low tide in some places several hundred meters of the bottom are exposed, some rocky, some pebbly, and some sandy. Jerseyans walk their dogs along the sandbanks at low tide - in principle, a wise decision. Firstly, there is simply nowhere else on the island for them to run around - everything is private and plowed, secondly, the owner will definitely walk the dog in time before the sea returns, and thirdly, there are no problems with traces of their vital activity, all this hassle with bags and urns - the sea will carry everything away.

Anemones and other living creatures in a puddle at low tide

Jersey is an island in the English Channel, part of the Normandy Islands (Channel Islands). The largest among the Channel Islands, area - 116 km². Population - 100,080 people (2014). Jersey is a Crown Dependency of the British Crown, but is not part of Great Britain. It belongs to Insular Normandy - a fragment of the Duchy of Normandy. It is the UK's responsibility to protect Jersey. In 1973, the UK joined the EU, meaning Normandy Island and Gibraltar are part of the EU through the membership of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and are EU customs territory, with the exception of Gibraltar. Jersey has its own parliament - the States of Jersey. The Crown Dependency of Jersey also includes several small islands. The indigenous population of Jersey (40%) is of French (Norman) origin, and was heavily anglicized in the 20th century. 30% of the population are from Great Britain; there are also people from Portugal, Ireland, Poland, France and others European countries. 2-3% of the population are from Asian and African countries.

History of the Island of Jersey

Little is known about the fate of the island before 930 AD, but some discoveries indicate the presence of Romans and Gauls on the island. In 511, the island of Jersey became part of the Kingdom of the Franks. It was at this time that the first Christian missionaries arrived on the island. But Christianity was finally established by Saint Helier in the 6th century.
The island received its modern name in the 9th-10th centuries as a result of the Vikings’ presence on the island. The island of Jersey remained part of Brittany until 933, when, like all the Channel Islands, it became the property of the Norman Crown: the island of Jersey was annexed to the Duchy of Normandy in 933 by William Longsword. To this day, a large percentage of the islanders are French-speaking Normans. The island's anthem is "Ma Normandie".
In 1066, the Jerseyans took part in the English expedition of the Duke of Normandy, William I the Bastard. Fighting bravely at Hastings, they helped William I become William the Conqueror. The further fate of the island of Jersey is closely connected with England. In 1204, when King John the Landless lost the continental part of the Duchy of Normandy to King Philip II Augustus of France, Insular Normandy remained under the jurisdiction of the English Crown.
From 1337 to 1453, during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, the island suffered numerous attacks. Due to the importance of its strategic location for England, the inhabitants of the island were able to bargain with the king for a number of benefits and privileges. Immediately after the end of the Hundred Years' War in 1455, the War of the Roses began, during which the island of Jersey was occupied by French troops for seven years, and then, at the insistence of Sir Richard Harliston, was returned to English sovereignty.
In the 16th century, Jersey fishermen often sailed across the Atlantic to the shores of Newfoundland.
In 1643, local native George Carteret, a brave and experienced sailor who remained faithful to the Stuart dynasty (which inherited power over the Normandy Islands from the Rollons and
Plantagenets). In 1644, Charles I Stuart granted him the vice-admiralship of "Jersey and the Seas allied to him." Carteret made the island a refuge for persecuted royalists and a base of operations for the Royal Navy. His rule in Jersey was harsh but effective. The Revolutionary Parliament denounced Carteret as a pirate and removed him from the list for future amnesty. In 1646 and again in 1649-1650, Prince Charles was in Jersey, who knighted Carteret and granted him the title of baronet. England was divided in the 1640s Civil War, the feud spread to Scotland and Ireland and did not spare the island of Jersey. The sympathies of the inhabitants of the island were divided into two camps: one part was on the side of parliament, and supporters of George Carteret supported the king. The Parliamentarians eventually captured Jersey in 1651: On December 12, 1651, Carteret, after a seven-week siege, was forced to surrender Jersey to the forces of the revolutionary Parliament - and then joined the Royalist exiles in France.
King Charles II, in gratitude for the support provided to him on the island of Jersey, decided to reward George Carteret with a large plot of land in English colony in the territory North America. In 1664, James, Duke of York, agreed that part of his North American territory between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers be given to Sir George Carteret and John, Lord Berkeley, and that the area be named "New Jersey" in honor of Carteret's homeland.
After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (October 17, 1685), many French Huguenots left the Fatherland. Jersey and the Normandy Islands became a reliable refuge for a large number of Huguenots. In 1739-1740, the governor of Jersey was General Jean Cavalier, a Huguenot Frenchman, former commander-in-chief of the army of the Camisards and Duke of Cevennes.
The 18th century was a period of political tension between France and Britain. Due to its geographical location The island of Jersey was always under martial law. During the American Revolutionary War, two attempts were made to conquer the island. In 1779, the prince of the German Duchy of Nassau tried to land his troops, but the attempt was unsuccessful. In 1781, the army of Baron de Rellecourt captured St. Helier, but was then defeated by British troops. After a brief lull, the Napoleonic Wars began, which changed the island of Jersey forever.
In the period from July 1, 1940 to May 9, 1945. the island was occupied by Nazi Germany. More than 30 thousand islanders managed to evacuate to Great Britain. The rest of the Germans were rounded up from time to time for fortification work. In the period from October 1941 to January 1944. With the hands of prisoners of war (Spaniards, French, Russians, Ukrainians, Moldovans) the construction of the German underground hospital was carried out. Many of them died, unable to withstand the inhuman conditions. Not many who fled the camp were saved by local residents. Some island residents - at the cost of their own lives.
9th May - Public Holiday, Jersey Liberation Day.
The Jersey breed of cows was bred here, producing milk with a high fat content (up to 7%), and hence the name for the fine knitted fabric. It got its name in honor of the island American state New Jersey.
Most famous resident islands - naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell, founder of the Jersey Zoo and, on its basis, the conservation fund.

Information

• official languages: English language, French and Jersey Norman
• Capital: St. Helier
• Form of government: British Crown Dependencies
• Territory: 118.2 km²
• Population: 100,080 people
• Currency: Jersey pound, Pound sterling
• Internet domain: .je
• ISO code:JE
• Telephone code: +44
• Time Zones: GMT, UTC+01:00

St Helier 15:27 9°C
slightly cloudy

Hotels

Jersey Island - overseas territory UK, local hotels are typical for the whole country. These are mostly small bed and breakfast hotels or private guesthouses where locals rent out one or two spare rooms. In the first case, the service and furnishings are quite standard, as in other hotels in the UK. In the second, you can feel the real local flavor, taste home-cooked food and share the table with the owners of the house.

Finding a free hotel even in high season is not difficult; you can book a separate cottage, a room in a boarding house or a modest apartment through the airbnb service.

Attractions

The island has been the property of the British Crown for 800 years, so there is a lot of interesting things here. Seeing local attractions is an interesting and rewarding activity. There are many of them here, and they have been well preserved to this day.

Elizabeth's Castle is the island's most visited attraction. Castle - a defensive structure was built to protect the island from French army. With the advent of the "age of gunpowder" the remaining Jersey fortresses became too vulnerable, so Elizabeth Castle (named after Elizabeth I) is the most modern fortress of the late 16th century. The journey to the castle is also quite unusual: in the morning it can only be reached by boat, and in the evening at low tide you can walk.

The medieval castle of Mont Orgel was built in the 13th century to protect the island from the French army. The castle has been well preserved to this day, and its Observation deck opens up a picturesque panorama of sea ​​spaces. This is a place worth coming to Jersey for.

Museums

The Jersey Museum is the country's main museum. Before visiting there, make sure that you have enough time: the collection is varied, the presentation of the material is interesting, you can accidentally get carried away and spend the whole day here. The collection will tell you the history of the island: from the appearance of Neanderthals on its territory to the present day. Some of the information is presented through multimedia; children will find it interesting. Before the tour, a 20-minute film (very interesting) awaits you, which will tell you more about the island and a little about the museum.

The Georgian House Museum is a real museum town. These are actors dressed in 19th-century costumes. You can knock on any house and see how different people lived in those days.

Jersey Climate: Moderate. Mild winters and cool summers.

Resorts

There are many on the island good beaches, where you can have a good time, swim with your children or play sports.

Port Anna Beach is a beautiful, secluded place where there are few people due to the fact that there is no good parking nearby. There is a good entry into the water, high safety for swimming, and entertainment - you can rent a boat.

Beauport Beach is the best on the island. The infrastructure here is well developed, despite the fact that this place is far from roads. Beauport is protected from the winds because it is located in a bay. Perfect place for leisurely walks, sunbathing and family picnics.

Leisure

For lovers active rest You'll love what you can do on the island. There are good waves here, which means you can practice surfing (one of the few places in Europe, besides Portugal, where you can do this), scuba dive, kayak, visit caves (including underwater ones), ride a bike, or just take a walk along the picturesque coast.

The towns in Jersey are small and there is not much entertainment there. There are several bars and restaurants, shopping mall and souvenir shops central squares. Children will enjoy visiting the Gerald Durrell Zoo (which combines a pleasant walk and research center) and the Aqua Splash water park. Many tourists come to the island not only to relax, but also to learn English. There are many language schools and special courses here.

Jersey Terrain: Gradually transitions from plains to cliffs along the north coast.

Transport

You can fly to the island of Jersey from Russia with Aeroflot or make a transfer in London if you fly with British Airways. Accessible by sea from the ports of St. Malo in France or Poole in the south of England.

Buses travel between cities, they are the main one public transport on par with a taxi.

Standard of living

Victor Hugo called this place a piece of France that broke away from it. Jersey is the most large island Normandy. Belongs to Great Britain (like Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, Jersey is its overseas territory). There is no unemployment, trouble, popular unrest (only one popular demonstration has taken place in 800 years) and crime. True, there may be cases of cars disappearing from the island, but the tide and unlucky tourists who park their cars on the coast are to blame for this.

There are liberal tax laws, good business conditions, an offshore zone and high level life (and, of course, high prices). This is one of the few places in Europe where business immigration is possible: fifteen million pounds of investment in the state economy and you are a citizen of the country. Therefore, the main inhabitants of the island are wealthy people.

Jersey has resources like:: Arable land.

Cities

St Helier is the capital and main port of Jersey. A small and compact city where only 30 thousand people live. Despite its modest size, St. Helier is crammed with attractions so that you will need ten days to get around everything. The city is very beautiful, with well-kept medieval streets and a picturesque embankment.