Clos des Tours

Historic Jersey buildings Clos des Tours, St Brelade This house overlooking St Aubin was the home of Jersey's wartime Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche Index of all house profiles If you own this property, have ancestors who lived here, or can provide any further information and photographs, please contact us through editorial@jerripedia.org

Property name

Clos des Tours

Location

Rue de Haut, St Brelade

Type of property

Detached house above St Aubin, dated 1933 and built in Arts and Crafts style

Report of a wartime break-in at the house

Families associated with the property

• Coutanche: This was the home of Jersey's wartime Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche. A friend of Guy de Gruchy, Coutanche asked him if he could buy a field de Gruchy owned, part of the Noirmont estate, called Le Clos des Tours, for its magnificent view of St Aubin`s Bay. The sale was agreed, and completed in 1932. Alex Coutanche and his wife built the house and moved in, together with their various dogs, including setters and a Belgian sheepdog named Negus. A garden gate led, by friendly consent, on to the pine-clad slope down to Noirmont Manor`s avenue, where they were always welcome, either to walk or call at the manor. For many years a large tortoise named Uncle Remus lived in the vegetable garden, surviving each winter by his own devices.
• Coleman: In 1941 Charles Victor Coleman (1893- ) and his wife Emma Louise, nee Moignard (1888- ) were living here with their daughters Freda Joy (1924- ) and Joyce Louise (1922- ). It is not clear what their connection was with Lord Coutanche. The Coutanches and their family retain the house and gardens.

Historic Environment Record entry

Listed building

Shown as 'Clos de Tours' on the website, which if this is what the house is called by its owners, is linguistically incorrect

A fine unusual detached house, dated 1933, designed by Peter Blampied in Arts and Crafts style. Sited in a commanding coastal location, overlooking St Aubins Bay retaining original irregular internal and external form and features.

Central projecting gabled entrance bay has irregular height roof, wide semi-circular headed granite doorway with voussoirs and narrow latticed sidelights. Central voussoir with datestone 1933.