The bench at the bottom of the Cow’s Horn steps is said to have been used by Victor Hugo and was referenced in the Book of Ebenezer Le Page.
‘This is a potential bench he sat on, we know he definitely swam at the bathing pools and sat on a bench after his swims to dry off in the sun, and there are two it could be – this one or one at the gentlemen’s pool – but with a bit of artistic licence, this one has a more Hugo-ian view, as the other one looks back over St Peter Port,’ said Laura Harrison from the Victor Hugo Centre.
The bench is situated on the new La Vallette Trail, and was officially unveiled by Ms Harris during her visit for the Literary Festival.
‘I feel very affectionate towards Victor Hugo, so to see this bench is such an honour,’ said the acclaimed author of Chocolat.
Restoration work was done by Point Away’s Luke Warr who said it had been amazing to be involved in the project. ‘It’s going to be so loved by everybody so I thought I would do it for free,’ he said. ‘It’s beautiful, I thought I want to do this. I can envisage families coming down here having a picnic and enjoying the space.’
To mark the occasion, the La Vallette Book Nook was also installed in partnership with the Guille-Alles Library and the Guernsey Literary Festival as part of the National Year of Reading.
People are invited to browse a selection of books while taking in the surrounding views, with the option to relax and read on the bench, or take a book away to enjoy later. Built on a simple ‘take a book, share a book’ principle, the La Vallette Book Nook encourages readers to discover, exchange, and enjoy books while fostering connection and conversation.
‘We’re delighted to support the Literary Bench and bring books into this beautiful outdoor setting. The National Year of Reading is all about making reading part of everyday life, and this initiative creates a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy books in a calm, natural environment,’ said Adam Bayfield, head of marketing and customer services at the Guille-Alles Library.
‘As well as books about the sea, the Book Nook includes numerous collections of short stories, essays, and poems, so people can easily dip in for a read before they dip in for a swim.’
Helen Bonner Morgan, Vive La Vallette operations director, said it was a chance for people to ‘come and discover La Vallette in a new way’.
‘The restored Literary Bench, together with the Book Nook, creates a wonderful space for people to relax and be inspired by the stunning surroundings.
‘As part of the wider enhancements at La Vallette, we hope it encourages both islanders and visitors to spend more time outdoors and connect with the area’s unique literary, historical and natural heritage,’ she said.
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