Child touches exhibit

Mont Orgueil Castle

Lé Vièr Châté

A medieval castle with links to the English Crown and amazing views across to France

A stone castle

At over 800 years old this Castle is a symbol of Jersey’s identity, its history is a story of the Norman conquest, French invasion and Jersey’s long standing connection to the English crown.

Mont Orgueil Castle, (or Gorey Castle) is an amazing place to explore, there are almost 200 steps to the top of the Castle, where you can take in one of the best views in Jersey. As you explore the network of staircases, towers and secret rooms, you’ll discover hidden treasures and gruesome stories of castle life through specially commissioned artwork. In the turrets you’ll find the medieval ‘wheel of urine’, and in the cellars ‘the witches in hell’. High on the battlements with a view of the surrounding countryside and distant French coast, you’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with wooden soldiers who ‘guard’ the Castle from invasion. Don’t miss world-renowned artworks “The Queen” and “Equanimity”  in the Medieval Great Hall, by artist Chris Levine and holographer Rob Munday, commissioned to celebrate Jersey’s relationship with the monarchy.

Arrival

How to get to Mont Orgueil Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle (or Gorey Castle as it is sometimes called locally) is located in the east of the Island.  Pedestrian access is from La P’tite Ruelle Muchie, Gorey Harbour Pier and via the main entrance at the Castle Green, off La Route de la Côte. There is disc and paycard parking at Gorey Harbour and on Gorey Coast Road. A free public car park can be found at Long Beach.

Read our access guide for more information.

Large green space called The Castle Green with Mont Orgueil Castle in the background

Learn the History of Mont Orgueil Castle

For centuries, the major strongholds in Jersey were its castles. Mont Orgueil Castle was built on a site that had been fortified since prehistoric times. The construction of the present castle began in 1204 but wasn’t named Mont Orgueil until occupation by the French during the War of the Roses in 1462. The Castle would then be extended and refurbished several until the late 15th and 16th centuries, when it was substantially refortified as an artillery fortress.

Mont Orgueil was well placed to defend, with cliffs on three sides, and the sea on the fourth. But defence castle builders struggled to compete with the advances of gunpowder and cannon and by 1600, Mont Orgueil had been replaced by Elizabeth Castle as the seat of military power in the Island.  Read more…

Mont Orgueil Castle young boy in kinghts costume

Walk

Gorey Walk

A short stroll around the historic area of Gorey with dramatic castle views.

History

Castles of Jersey

Why has Jersey been one of the most heavily fortified parts of the British Isles?

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Historic environment

The historic environment is the physical evidence of past human activity through time.

Heritage Lets

Elizabeth Castle Apartment

Stay in your very own historic castle, a mile out to sea.

Mont Orgueil Castle brides in castle grounds castle in background

Weddings

Getting married?

A breath-taking backdrop for a wedding ceremony or reception.

Find out more