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Location
St. Ouen is the largest parish (district) in Jersey and covers the north-west corner of the island.
The coastline varies from granite cliffs in the north to the long sandy sweep of St. Ouen’s Bay in the west.
History
Named after the 7th century Archbishop of Rouen, the capital of William the Conqueror's Duchy of Normandy.
Landmarks and places of interest
On the north west tip of the coastline stand the ruins of the 14th century Grosnez castle. The castle is on public land and the sunsets here are spectacular.
One of the many prehistoric dolmens on the island is the Grantez dolmen near L' Etacq. The location gives it an excellent vista over St. Ouen's Bay.
Another neolithic ritual site is the 200ft high Pinnacle Rock at L' Etacq. Evidence of it's original use as a source of granite to make axeheads can be seen on the excavation spoil tip nearby.
On the beach front, about half way along The Five Mile Road, is a small white building known locally as the The White Hut. Le Don Hilton- as it is properly named - is a 17th century guardhouse owned now by The National Trust of Jersey who hire it out for barbecues and picnics.
During the centuries that England and France were at war the island was fortified against attack from the French. Near the beach at Les Mielles is Kempt Tower, one of the many Martello Towers built to protect the island from Napoleon's forces.
The bay itself is dominated by La Rocco Tower (pictured above) which was rebuilt after being used for target practice during the Second World War
St. Ouen is scattered with german fortifications, a relic of the Nazi occupation during the Second World War. At Noirmont Point there is a large observation tower built on the cliffs.
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