Author: Maëllie GERNIDOS

On 12 May, the Normandy programme of the 23rd edition of the “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” was launched in Guernsey. Placed on the theme “The Five Senses in the Garden: The View”, the Channel Islands are delighted to take part in this edition from 5 to 7 June, organised by the French Ministry of Culture alongside 2,8000 parks and gardens across more than twenty participating European countries.

20 gardens in the Channel Islands are taking part in this edition to offer a unique experience to visitors. Within the Bailiwick of Guernsey, The Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden at Saumarez Park, Victor Hugo’s Garden (Hauteville House), the Candia Gardens route: art, nature and well-being, the hidden gardens of St Pierre du Bois & La Forêt, the Victorian walled garden at Government House, Charente (private garden), the gardens of the Fermain Valley Hotel, the Bridget Ozanne orchid fields (Guernsey Nature Commission), the Wild Subtropical Gardens at Sausmarez Manor, Bloomin’ Alderney in Alderney, the permaculture garden of Stocks Hotel in Sark, and the gardens Le Grand Dixcart in Sark. In Jersey, Coronation Park, Howard Davis Park, Sir Winston Churchill Park, Millennium Park, Jersey Zoo – Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Reg’s Garden and Judith Quérée’s Garden.

To mark the launch, the DRAC was represented by Jean Michel Knop, Director of the DRAC, Emmanuel Jouanno, DRAC Communications Officer, and Aurélie Vanitou, in charge of Heritage Conservation and the ‘Remarkable Gardens’ label, the States of Guernsey were represented by the President of the Committee for Economic Development of Guernsey, Sasha Kazentseva-Miller, and Jersey was represented by Charlotte Howe, Head of the Cultural Service in the Government of Jersey. Jean-Michel Knop, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs of Normandy, said: “[…] The growing participation of the Channel Islands in this event marks a strong symbolic step. It is not content with expanding the geographical scope of the event; It establishes a real space for dialogue between heritages. These islands are home to exceptional gardens, shaped by a singular history and a privileged climate. Their opening to the public, at the heart of this event, perfectly embodies the spirit of sharing and curiosity contained in the “Rendez-vous aux Jardins”. The participation of the Channel Islands in this celebration illustrates this common landscape heritage, both close and exotic. »

Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, the President of the Committee for Economic Development of Guernsey, said: “It is particularly exciting to launch this European event right here in Guernsey. Such an opportunity highlights the close cultural and economic ties we continue to develop with our French neighbours and provides an opportunity to showcase our island’s exceptional horticultural expertise and rich heritage to the rest of the continent.”

The “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” highlight the exceptional beauty and heritage of the islands and helps to strengthen the cultural and economic links between France and the Channel Islands.

On 2 and 4 May, Bretagne Plaisance (the Brittany region) and les Ports de la Manche (the Normandy region) attended the Jersey Boat Show for the second year in a row. The Jersey Boat Show is the largest free event in the Channel Islands and with around 30,000 visitors each year. This event brings together boating professionals, locals, and an international public.  The Breton and Normandy team discussed future regulations for yachting and the implementation of the ETA (=Electronic Travel Authorisation) in force since 23rd April in the Channel Islands. These meetings fuel constructive exchanges between the Breton, Normandy and Channel Islands teams. The Jersey Boat Show will return for a 20th edition in 2027. 

From 16 to 19 April, the Guernsey and Jersey marinas attended the Saint Malo Boat Show for the second year in a row. This annual event is organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Ille-et-Vilaine and the maritime sector of the Corsair City. The show has become an unmissable event in the leisure industry bringing together 160 exhibitors and 200 boats. This year’s edition saw over 26,000 visitors, an increase of 30% compared to 2025! The Channel teams reassured visitors about the regulations in the Channel Islands. Both marinas discussed with Bretagne Plaisance (the Brittany Region) and the Ports de la Manche (the Normandy Region) on the introduction of ETA (=Electronic Travel Autorisation) from 23 April in the Channel Islands, visas and the future changes for the yachting sector.  This visit has strengthened the links between the Channel Islands and the Normandy and Brittany regions and will open more opportunities for future collaboration. The St Malo Boat Show will return for a third edition in 2027. More information on the Saint Malo boat show here. In the meantime, stakeholders from Brittany and Normandy will go to the Jersey Boat Show in early May to strengthen their ties. The Jersey Boat Show attracts over 30,000 visitors each year.

On 3-6 April, ‘The Big Eat Guernsey’ food festival welcomed the first Breton market to Guernsey! ‘The Big Eat Guernsey’ invites visitors to discover the local specialties of the Bailiwick of Guernsey with a spotlight on the gastronomic links with France. The program includes foraging and dining experiences, bike tours and safaris around the vegetable stalls, farm-to-table dinners and exclusive meetings with local chefs. For this first edition of the Breton market Islanders had the chance to try authentic Breton products: honey, galettes, Breton shortbread, all accompanied by a contagious good mood! The Breton merchants met with the President of the Committee for Economic Development, Kazantseva-Miller and the Vice-President of the Brittany region in charge of the sea and the coast, Daniel Cueff. ‘The Big Eat Guernsey’ showcases  Guernsey’s rich culinary landscape, the island  is already home to five restaurants  that appear in the 2025 Michelin Guide,  and is world famous for the quality of its dairy and sea food. . The next edition  of The Big Eat food festival will take place in October. Prepare your programme now on ‘The Big Eat Guernsey’.

On 26 March, the Channel Islands, alongside representatives from the region of Normandy, officially launched their participation in the ‘Millenium – 2027 European year of the Normans’ event, hosting a reception at the British Embassy in Paris.The year-long event will celebrate 1000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror, as well as a shared history and identity. An innovative European cooperation project, it will bring together people from all backgrounds, be they British, Irish, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, French or, of course, from the Channel Islands. With over 40 projects planned across the Channel Islands, including community events, brand new-exhibitions, conferences and ground-breaking research projects, representatives from both Jersey and Guernsey were excited to launch their participation in Paris.

Jersey’s Deputy Elaine Millar, Minister for Treasury and Resources and Assistant Minister for External Relations, was joined by Guernsey’s Deputy Steve Falla, member of the Policy and Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, and Deputy Paul Montague, President of the Committee for Education, Sports and Culture. They were pleased to be met by the Senator and President of the Culture, Tourism, Heritage Commission at the Region of Normandy, Mrs Catherine Morin-Desailly. The launch event on Thursday was just the start of a year of cross-border cultural collaboration, celebrating our shared history and engaging in cultural exchanges. The coming year will further cement our historical ties and create legacies for future cooperation and European partnerships. The full programme of events will be launched by the Region of Normandy on 2-3 July, so keep your eyes peeled for millennium events coming to an island near you!

NB: The French spelling of the word ‘millenium’ is used to refer to the official title of the event as used by the Region of Normandy in ‘Millenium – 2027, European Year of the Normans’.

Take a look at the Channel Islands’ projects for the Millenium on: Millenium – 2027 European Year of the Normans

On 24 March, the Art for Guernsey team travelled to Saint-Malo to celebrate its 10th anniversary and develop links with major artistic institutions. The Art for Guernsey team met with the Académie Malouine Arts Plastiques (AMAP), an art education centre based in Saint-Malo, to discuss support programmes for emerging and established artists.  The teams also discussed the travelling exhibition programme developed by the AMAP to explore collaborative projects combining contemporary art and graphic art. The Guernsey delegation also visited the Pôle Culturel La Grande Passerelle, a library-media library located at the heart of Saint-Malo, which brings together literary and digital resources honouring the central place of culture in Saint-Malo.  During this visit, the Guernsey delegation also met the mayor of Saint-Malo, Gilles Lurton, the deputy mayor, Jean-Virgile Crance, and their cultural team. David Ummels, Chairman of Art for Guernsey, said: “This trip was also a wonderful opportunity for our team to spend time together, brainstorm about future projects and celebrate the 10th anniversary of our charity. We had a truly memorable visit filled with inspiration, connection, and shared vision. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to developing these relationships further.”  These meetings fuel artistic exchanges and pave the way for future collaborations between Art for Guernsey, the artistic structures of Saint-Malo and the town hall of Saint-Malo.

From 23 to 25 September, representatives from ArtHouse Jersey and Guernsey Arts travelled to Normandy on a technical visit to gain a better understanding of the region’s cultural fabric. Following a rich itinerary between Caen and Rouen, the delegation visited numerous artistic and cultural institutions, including the Regional Contemporary Art Fund (FRAC Normandie) RN13 BIS, the Usine Utopik, the Centre for Contemporary Creation, ESAM Caen-Cherbourg, Artothèque, Le Radar and Le Point du Jour. As part of the Normandy project ‘Millennium: 2027 European Year of the Normans’, the islands are engaging in artistic and cultural collaborations with the Normandy Region, and these meetings aim to create new contacts to imagine new cooperative projects.