Octopus Gsy Bar & Beach Restaurant

Delphine Pesrin-Auder and Mickael Pesrin are no strangers to the hospitality industry. They continue to run Le Petit Bistro (hereafter ‘PB’), a firm local favourite nestled in St Peter Port which Delphine describes as ‘a little piece of France in Le Pollet, a celebration of French cuisine.’

Octopus, which is situated on the south side of Havelet Bay (on the east side of the island), is perfectly positioned for far-reaching views of the entire bay, majestic Castle Cornet and further across to Herm, Jethou and Sark. The new restaurant, with its sleek and modern aesthetic, could seem far removed from the traditional nature of PB. However, the naming of the restaurant itself is a nod to Delphine and Mickael’s dual heritage.

It was inspired by Victor Hugo’s The Toilers of the Sea, a gripping tale set in Guernsey. Hugo wrote the entire story in the island after he was banished from his native home of France, dedicating the story to ‘the noble little nation of the sea.’ ‘He found solace in the beauty of Guernsey despite his exile and fell in love with the landscape,’ said Mickael. ‘We feel proud of Hugo’s take on our island, particularly as French-born inhabitants of Guernsey. We were moved by his ability to align the two nations that we equally call home. We named Octopus after Hugo’s villain in the tale - an enormous octopus who fights the protagonist Gilliat and the restaurant opening coincided with the 150th anniversary of the novel which is very close to our hearts.'