📋 Table of Contents
📌 Read in :
Français (French)
For the French, it’s a little piece of Great Britain 20 km from the Cotentin coast. Jersey is the main channel of the Channel Islands, and if it is known in Europe to be a tax haven, it can turn, according to the opinions, into a paradise at all. Because if visiting Jersey is a bit like stepping foot across the Channel, the island has kept a strong Norman identity: its English, for example, is unique. Moreover, it is not a British territory, but a dependency of the Crown. We therefore cultivate a certain spirit of independence, which we can understand when we are led to admire its beauties. How to go to Jersey? What are the must-sees on the island? What papers to take? We take stock.
🗺️ Discover Saint-Malo. Before going to Jersey, it is quite possible that you will stop in the “corsair city”. Here are our essentials.
🗒️ What you need to know before your trip to Jersey
Before we delve into our list of must-do things on the island of Jersey, here are some tips for your upcoming trip.
How to visit the island of Jersey?
To go to Jersey, two solutions: the plane or the boat. Unless you are an Olympic swimmer who doesn’t feel the cold – the island is 20 km from the French coast. By boat, regular trips are organized from Saint-Malo, to which are added, in high season, trips from Carteret and Granville. Allow around 1h30 for the journey from Saint-Malo. By plane, the destination is served by several companies, particularly from London, such as the low-cost Easyjet and the British Airways.
From Paris, we recommend the train. Saint-Malo is only 2:17 from the French capital thanks to the new high-speed TGV Bretagne line.
📚 A bit of history: Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy, the dukes of which became kings of England from 1066. Despite the loss of Normandy by the English kings in the 13th century and the cession of the ducal title to France, Jersey remained loyal to the English crown, although it has never been part of the Kingdom of England.
What documents do you need to go to Jersey?
As a result of the UK leaving the EU, from 1st October 2021, only a passport is accepted as a travel document for Europeans wishing to visit Jersey. The same applies to Guernsey. Passports are the only valid travel documents for other non-UK nationals.
On a practical note: remember to bring a UK plug adapter. Shops, especially in Saint-Helier, will have them in case you forget.
When is the best time to visit Jersey?
An essential question, especially for those familiar with the unpredictable weather of neighbouring Normandy. Definitely avoid the last three months of the year when precipitation is highest. Summer is obviously a better choice, with the lowest rainfall and average temperatures around 20 degrees – yes, it’s not Bali.
Where to catch the boat to Jersey?
For the best chance of finding a ferry to Jersey, head to Saint-Malo (either the Vauban basin or the Bas Sablons port), which is 65 km from the island. This is where the most crossings are available. Crossings are also possible, mainly in the high season, from Carteret and Granville. According to the Direct Ferries website, there are up to 47 possible weekly crossings.
How to get to Jersey by car?
Taking a ferry often means you can bring your car with you, and this is indeed possible for Jersey. Expect to pay around sixty euros, in addition to passenger tickets, for a round trip across the Channel with your vehicle.
You can also leave your car in the Saint-Malo port car park and explore Jersey on foot. Parking costs about ten euros for 24 hours, which isn’t very expensive.
Our tip: leave your car in Saint-Malo and rent bikes on Jersey! The island is full of routes perfectly suited for cycling.
How to pay in Jersey?
Here, being a British dependency, the currency used is the pound sterling, although the island has its own currency. Payment with a credit card is no problem. Some merchants also accept euros.
Which hotel to choose in Jersey?
The Longueville Manor, nestled in a lush private park, offers its visitors a refined stay experience with a world-class spa and gourmet cuisine.
Not far from there, the Hotel de France, overlooking the charming town of Saint Helier, offers top-notch wellness facilities, including an Ayush Wellness spa promising deep and rejuvenating relaxation.
Lastly, the Pomme d’Or Hotel, with its central location and rich history, is a favoured choice for travellers looking to explore the island while enjoying comfortable and elegant accommodation.
Booking.com🔝 What are the must-see things to do in Jersey?
Visit Saint Helier
A beautiful mix of English and Norman heritage in this city of just over 30,000 inhabitants. A stroll in the historic centre, the Royal Square, eat local products at the Central Market or clear your mind in the parish church, dating from William the Conqueror, these are some of the activities you can do in this city. A word of advice: do a little shopping there, the products – tax-free – are cheaper than in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Stroll in the bay of Saint-Aubin
If the second-largest bay in Jersey is just sublime after dark, walking there during the day is sure to bring you a good dose of serenity. Obviously, don’t forget to take a trip to the Elizabeth Castle (map), which sets off Saint-Hélier and is accessible from Saint-Aubin bay at low tide. It is now a museum.
Spend a few days of rest in Saint-Brélade
While in Jersey, make a jump and stay a few days in the seaside resort of Saint-Brélade, in the south-west of the island. It will be a restful stay, believe us, and the beautiful square that borders the city, with its fine sand, will have something to do with it. Don’t miss the Fisherman’s Chapel – the “Fisherman’s Chapel” – the oldest of the places.
Go to the assault of the castle of Mont-Orgueil
Head to the east of the island of Jersey to admire Gorey Castle, overlooking the port of the same name. This fortress, built in the 12th century, has had several uses throughout its history, but its main function was to protect the island from French invasions. It has many interesting mazes to walk through and offers a breathtaking view of the region.
Go hiking on the north coast
Jersey is generally suitable for walks, but its north coast is even more so. You will be amazed. The start is usually from La Trinité and the rest is a series of creeks and bays, with a passage to the legendary Trou du Diable (Devil’s Hole), a crater about thirty meters in diameter in the sea, overlooked by a statue of a… devil obviously.
Here, our little guide to Jersey, with our essentials, is finished. We hope you found it helpful. If you have any remarks or other advice, feel free to share them in the comments.
.