Mont Orgueil Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle rises in tiers of stone above the fishing harbour of Gorey on Jersey's east coast. It was begun in the thirteenth century, after Jersey was separated from Normandy, to defend the island against France, whose coast lies a few miles across the water, and its towers, gatehouses, halls and battlements climb the rock in layers added over the following centuries. Inside are tableaux of the castle's history, and the ramparts look across the harbour to Normandy.

Highlights

• The tiered fortress - the castle climbing the rock in layers.
• The ramparts - the views over Gorey harbour to France.
• The towers and halls - the maze of medieval buildings.
• The harbour setting - the fishing harbour of Gorey below.

When to go

April to October brings the mildest, driest weather and long days for exploring the castle and its ramparts, when the site is fully open; spring and early autumn are pleasant and quieter. The views across to France are clearest on bright, clear days.

Before you go

Mont Orgueil is steep and on many levels, with a lot of stairs and ramparts, so comfortable footwear helps, and it can be busy in peak season.

Nearby

The harbour village of Gorey and the east-coast beaches lie below.

Key facts