St. Martin - Jersey
St. Martin parish is the only
parish on Jersey Island that does not use a
Parish Hall to conduct its municipal affairs.
Instead, St. Martin has a Public Hall. St. Martin
did accept monies from the States of Jersey
so that they could add on an assembly room.
St. Martin, once called Saint Martin le Vieux
was called such in order to distinguish it from
the Saint Martin de Grouville which is now considered
Grouville. St. Martin is located in the eastern
part of the Jersey Island. It has a land area
of 10.3 square kilometers, or 3.98 square miles.
There are several sites of prehistoric
remains that reside within the parish of St.
Martin. The dolmens that are at Le Couperon
and Faldouet are two such sites. The backside
of the Jersey ten pence coin features La Pouquelaye
de Faldouet, one of the prehistoric remains
sites. This was also the inspiration for Victor
Hugo, leading him to pen the poem, Nomen, numen,
lumen, in 1855 during his exile on the Jersey
Island.
Another historic site in St.
Martin is a rock that is known as Le Saut Geffroy
or Geoffroy's Leap. This rock is said to be
and ancient execution site. It was at this site
that criminal were hurled into the sea to die
a brutal death. According to legend, there was
a criminal by the name of Geffroy received the
sentence to death by being thrown into the sea.
Miraculously, Geffroy survived the fall and
was able to climb back up the face of the cliff.
An argument broke out among the spectators and
they debated Geffory's fate. Some said that
the sentence had been carried out that the Geffroy
should be set free while others help the opposing
view. Geffroy, his ego getting the better of
him, decide to dive off of the rock in an attempt
to settle the debate and to demonstrate his
male prowess. Unfortunately, he did not survive
his second time into the sea. Now, the Le Saut
Geffroy is preserved by the National Trust for
Jersey.
Another historical site is the
ancient castle of Mont Orgueil. This ancient
castle is the dominant figure of Gorey, a small
village and harbour. At one time, the castle
served as the island's prison. But then in the
17th century a prison was constructed in St.
Helier. Several British government prisoners
did some time there. Among them were William
Prynne and John Liburne. At that time Mont Orgueil
was usually the Governor of Jersey's residence.
Later, in the beginning of the 17th century,
the Elizabeth Castle was constructed off of
Saint Helier.
A popular site for fisherman
and sea anglers, a very large breakwater that
is located at St. Catherine is the remains of
the very large project that was begun with the
premise of building a harbour. The British government
cut the program in the 19th century and the
project was abandoned.
There is a great deal of history
and culture for you enjoyment in St. Martin.
You only have to set your feet upon its soil.
Hotels in St. Martin
 |
Beau
Couperon Hotel (£75.00)
Overlooking
Rozel Bay and Harbour with its own private
access to the beach, the Beau Couperon Hotel
is one of the most exclusive and original
hotels in Jersey. A converted Napoleonic
fortress, it is renowned for its excellent
restaurant, peaceful atmosphere and friendly
service
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St.
Helier || St. Brelade
|| St. Peters ||
St. Mary || St.
Savior || St.
Martin
St. Ouen || St.
John || St. Clement
|| St. Lawrence
|| Trinity || Grouville
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