St Peter Port, Guernsey's main town, is built into a steep valley leading down to the harbour, with spectacular views across to Alderney and the other islands. It has the most sheltered anchorage in the Channel Island and it has been a haven and eventually a harbour for over 2000 years. St Peter Port has been rated amongst the 50 most historic towns in England and Wales. Despite the predominance of international banks based here, the town has managed to retain its 17th century charm. The granite buildings now occupied by shops were once the homes of the town's wealthy residence and the High Street still has its original cobbles. The town was put on the map in 1855 when Victor Hugo, exiled from France, made his home at Hauteville House. Here he wrote Les Miserables. Renoir also painted a number of his masterpieces here. Several guided walking tours of St Peter Port begin at the Tourist Information Bureau during the summer months.