From WWII relics to 27 beaches: Why you NEED to visit Guernsey

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The second-largest of the Channel Islands, lying in the English Channel around 30 miles (48km) from the French coast, Guernsey offers plenty that's comfortably familiar for British travellers, served with more than a soupcon of Gallic flair.

The island's rugged coastline and crystalline seas inspired French Impressionist artist Pierre-August Renoir to paint several works during his stay here in 1883, and 140 years later, many of those paintings are being shown right now for the first time in an exhibition at the Guernsey Museum at Candie.

But while this eagerly anticipated show is set to be the big draw for art lovers this autumn, there are plenty of other reasons to take the short flight or ferry ride from the UK to the island.

Less busy (and glitzy) than jet-setting big sister, Jersey, Guernsey averages a balmy 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in September and 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) in October, so it's still warm enough for walks along the beach or island hopping to the car-and-crowd-free sanctuaries of Sark and Herm, while there are plenty of pubs and museums to duck into if the weather takes a turn. Here are six reasons to go now…

1. YOU CAN RENDEZ-VOUS WITH RENOIR 




There are plenty of reasons to visit Guernsey - including the fact that it has 27 beautiful beaches to discover. Above is Guernsey's stunning Saints Bay 





Visitors can take a self-guided Renoir Walk of Guernsey, retracing the footsteps of French Impressionist artist Pierre-August Renoir, who visited the island in the 19th century. Above is his 1883 piece 'View At Guernsey' 





Above is one of Guernsey's most picturesque beaches, Moulin Huet Bay. It famously captured the eye of Renoir 





Brush hour: This is one of Renoir's celebrated paintings of Moulin Huet Bay





On a tour with accredited Guernsey guide Gill Girard, see Moulin Huet Bay from Renoir's exact perspective through a series of empty, ornate picture frames 

Despite its diminutive size - just 30 square miles (78 sq km) - Guernsey has 27 beautiful beaches, with one of the most picturesque, Moulin Huet Bay, capturing the eye of renowned French Impressionist artist Pierre-August Renoir. Arriving on the island in 1883 from Normandy, Renoir stayed for over a month and produced 15 landscapes, inspired by the light as it dappled the bay. 

Opening on September 30 and running until December 15, 2023, the 'Renoir in Guernsey, 1883' exhibition will bring nine of these paintings and other works together at the Guernsey Museum at Candie, with supporting exhibits and events happening across the island. 

Visitors can take a self-guided Renoir Walk or join a tour with accredited Guernsey guide Gill Girard to see the bay from the artist's exact perspective (through a series of empty, ornate picture frames, too). Autumn also offers the chance to enjoy French-themed food, music and films during the island's annual Le French Festival. It takes place from October 10 to 15 and includes a free performance of opera L'Elixir d'Amour.

2. YOU CAN UNCOVER MEMORIES OF WWII 




On Guernsey, museums exhibit artefacts from the islands' five challenging years under Nazi rule during the Second World War. Above is the island's La Valette Underground Military Museum





The German Occupation Museum at Les Houards (above) houses military weapons and dioramas with reconstructions of war-era homes and shops





On Guernsey, you'll see bunkers and observation towers around the coastline. Above is Observation Tower MP4 on the southern coast 

As the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by Germany during the Second World War, the Channel Islands still harbour remnants from the conflict and on Guernsey, you'll see Nazi bunkers and observation towers around the coastline, while museums exhibit artefacts from the islands' five challenging years under Nazi rule.

The German Occupation Museum at Les Houards houses the largest collection in the Channel Islands, with military weapons, audio-visual displays telling stories of the islanders' resilience, and dioramas with reconstructions of war-era homes and shops. 

Visitors can also explore the German Naval Signals HQ in St Peter Port, a restored bunker that was the communications hub for the German army during its occupation of the islands.

3. YOU CAN SHOP AND DINE LOCAL - AND THE OFFERINGS ARE WONDERFUL









For anyone staying in one of Guernsey's many self-catering options, like The Bay's luxury apartments at Pembroke Bay (above two images), the island's unique Hedge Veg scheme is a great way to support local growers, who leave daily fresh produce in front of their homes, with honesty boxes for payment 






Guernsey's main town of St Peter Port is where you'll find most of the bars, restaurants and nightlife, alongside high-street shops and boutiques





Enjoy fantastic views overlooking Havelet Bay (above) as you dine at locals' favourite Octopus





See some of the region's ancient Neolithic relics like the mysterious 'La Gran'mere du Chimquiere', a granite standing stone in the shape of a woman

While you'll find pubs, casual cafes and coastal kiosks around the island, Guernsey's main town of St Peter Port is where you'll find most of the bars, restaurants and nightlife, alongside high-street shops and boutiques. The Victor Hugo-inspired eatery, Octopus, is a local favourite, with fantastic views overlooking Havelet Bay, a friendly vibe and an international menu crafted from locally sourced suppliers, or try the innovative Mexican menu and cocktails at Buho Latina Cantina on the outskirts of town.

For Theanex Test anyone staying in one of Guernsey's many self-catering options, like The Bay's luxury apartments at Pembroke Bay, the island's unique Hedge Veg scheme is a great way to support local growers, who leave daily fresh produce in front of their homes, with honesty boxes for payment. And if the sun is playing nice, order a picnic or afternoon tea hamper from the Guernsey Hamper Company, packed with treats from the island's artisan makers, including The Seaweed Food Co and Guernsey Dairy: this is the land of the famous Guernsey cows, after all.

4. YOU CAN EXPLORE ON A SAFARI 

While you're likely to see more cattle than big cats, a safari around Guernsey in a custom-built Land Rover with Tour Guernsey is a unique way to explore, and local guide Ant Ford Parker has plenty of campfire-worthy local yarns to spin, as you visit the island's best viewpoints and historical highlights. 

Get off the beaten track driving Guernsey's narrow lanes or ‘Ruettes Tranquilles', stopping to see some of the region's ancient Neolithic relics such as the mysterious La Gran'mère du Chimquière (Grandmother of the Cemetery), a granite menhir or standing stone in the shape of a woman, which guards the gate at St Martin's Parish Church, and The Little Chapel, an elaborately decorated miniature replica of the holy pilgrimage site at Lourdes in France.

5. YOU CAN HIKE OVER 40 MILES OF COASTLINE - AND TAKE IN FASCINATING SIGHTS















Follow in the footsteps of exiled French author Victor Hugo, who wrote some of his most famous works including Les Miserables at Guernsey's Hauteville House (shown in the three images above) 





Guernsey averages a balmy 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in September and 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) in October, so it's still warm enough for walks along the beach.