Photos of Mont Orgueil Castle
About Mont Orgueil Castle
Mont Orgueil Castle (Gorey Castle) sits a the top of a granite headland above Gorey harbour on the east coast of Jersey. The castle was originally built in the early 1200s after the French crown took Normandy and Jersey found itself on the front line. It slowly grew in size over the next two centuries. The result is a set of walled fortresses stacked one inside the next around a keep, that gives it a piled up look from below. The classic view is from down on the Gorey Pier, looking up at the whole fortress standing tall above the boats. Since Jersey's tidal range is enormous, the composition will change completely depending on the tide levels. At low tide the harbour empties completely and the boats settle onto the sand. Because it was built and altered so many times over hundreds of the fortress became a winding network of stairs, towers and small rooms, with close to 200 steps to the top. From the battlements you're looking east across the water to the French coast, which is close enough to pick out on a clear day. Jersey Heritage runs the castle and charges admission, with free volunteer tours at set times throughout the day. Pedestrian entrances are at Castle Green and up from the harbour pier. There's a café at the top with outdoor seating that has amazing views over the bay, so you can relax while you wait for just the right light. (Gorey, St Martin, Jersey)
