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Representation of the Islands in France – BIAN

RELATIONSHIP
WITH FRANCE

Given geographical proximity, historical links and a common heritage, it is perhaps unsurprising that the Channel Islands and France enjoy a strong relationship and work together in many areas.

Historically, the Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy before the conquest of continental Normandy by French King Phillipe-Auguste in 1204. The defeat signalled England’s loss of continental Normandy that had been united with the English Crown since the invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Logo '10 years on' Bian France

Current links

Today, the Channel Islands continue to enjoy close links with our nearest neighbours.

 Boasting partnership agreements with various governmental and non-governmental bodies in France, the Islands possess a good working relationship with a wide range of French interlocutors.

Guernsey and Jersey are the focus of the French National Assembly’s Study Group on the Channel Islands, while the States of Jersey is a proud member of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (Francophone Parliamentary Assembly). Guernsey’s Cercle Français and Jersey’s Alliance Française help improve islanders’ French language skills and promote French culture. This cultural understanding is further enhanced by the large number of twinnings that exist between French towns and the Islands while many French pupils take part in educational visits to the islands, and vice-versa.

The islands enjoy good links with both the British Embassy in Paris, and the French Embassy in London. Islanders are able to access a hot-desk in St Malo, as well as a preferential agreement with the University of Caen in Normandy. Islanders from Jersey can receive emergency medical treatment in France thanks to the Attestation de Santé agreement in force.

Jersey and Guernsey continue to collaborate closely with regional and national administrations on key areas including trade, tourism, energy and the environment, connectivity and security.