Janvrin's Tomb - Jersey

Janvrin's Tomb, sits on a small islet called 'Ile au Guerdain', and is located in Portlet Bay, Jersey. It is only accessible at the low water mark for a few hours but at any time by kayak. The island has a sad history - the tower was built as a defense against French attack during the 1800s, but it stands above the tomb of a sailor called Philip Janvrin. He regularly made trips to France and on returning to the island from a trip to Nantes in 1721, Janvrin and his crew were not allowed to land, for fear that they might be infected with the plague that was afflicting the people of that area of France. The crew where ordered to stay in quarantine on their ship in the nearby Belcroute Bay. It's not known whether the crew were actually suffering from the plague, but sadly Janvrin died and his widow was still not allowed to bring his body ashore. Permission was finally given for his body to be buried on 'Ile au Guerdain' , so that he would be within sight of his St. Brelade home.

Chris Jones