Last day in Guernsey

This evening we are off back to the UK but this morning we went to see Victor Hugo’s house where he lived in exile. He had been a member of National Assembly but objected strongly to the advent of Napoleon III and was, accordingly, exiled. He spent time in both Belgium and Jersey before coming to Guernsey but this is the only house he actually owned before going back to France. on his death he left the house to his grandchildren and they gave it to the City of Paris who own it to this day. It has been recently thoroughly renovated.

Victor Hugo created furniture and panelling from old chests, chairs etc. There couldn’t have been a house in Guernsey with an intact Jacobean chest by the time he’d finished. You can’t see it in this photo but the walls and ceilings are covered in Aubusson tapestries.
View of the garden from the dining room.
Dutch stained glass windows.
Delft tiles with an H for Hugo in the dining room.
One end of the saloon for the reception of guests.
Skylight at the top of the stairs.
Model ship and more oak panelling.
Vast oak bed that he never slept in.
View of the harbour from the top of the house.

After that, we walked down to the harbour.

This is a Victorian shop and parlour, owned by the National Trust for Guernsey.
This is currently offices but I am not certain what it was built for.

We had lunch in a restaurant called The Slaughterhouse. Guess what it used to be? They still have the meat hooks and the track they went round on. Pictures available on their website:

https://www.slaughterhouse.gg

Now waiting for the ferry home ….

One thought on “Last day in Guernsey”

  1. I’m fairly partial to wainscot myself, but that seems a little overpowering, still a fascinating insight into Hugo and his tastes.
    Safe journey home and thankyou for taking us along with you on the trip.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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