On 20th July, the annual windfarm visit took place in Guernsey with representatives of the DREAL Normandie (Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing), the DIRM Bretagne (Interregional Directorate for the Sea) and the Government of Jersey. The respective teams discussed Guernsey and Alderney’s marine special plan and future wind farm projects. This visit follows a first operational meeting held on 1 June. These annual exchanges maintain the dialogue between the Channel Islands and the Normandy and Brittany regions and enable to better understand the progress of the respective projects.
On 5 July, the 43rd edition of the Tour des Ports de la Manche, organised by the Manche Department and the Granville Yacht Club, set sail from Granville. This legendary race, created in 1983 by the Granville Yacht Club, is Normandy’s oldest sailing race and winds its way around the Channel Islands and the Manche coast. More than 100 sailboats with nearly 500 participants made the trip for this 2026 edition. The winner of the 2005 Vendée Globe, Vincent Riou is the patron of this edition. Many international teams registered this year with more than twenty-two foreign crews on the starting line.
In Jersey, the participants were welcomed by the Minister of Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Gérald Voisin, who congratulated them for this year’s success. On July 6, the participants sailed from Granville to Jersey before heading to Barneville-Carteret on July 8. On July 9, the sailboats set off for Guernsey before arriving in Diélette on 10 July.
Every year, the Channel Islands welcome participants from Normandy to celebrate sailing as a friendly and unifying sport. This race celebrates the historical links between Normandy and the Channel Islands.
On 2-3 July, the Normandy region unveiled the official programme of the ‘Millennium: 2027 – European Year of the Normans’. More than 500 European partners attended the event coming from Ireland, Flanders, Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, southern Italy and the Channel Islands!
2027 is a cultural initiative led by the Normandy region and will celebrate the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror and the Norman footprint across Europe. To mark this event, an exceptional cultural programme is being prepared to honour the tangible and intangible heritage of the Normans. 2027 will be the starting point for several European cooperations ignited by the heritage of the Normans. The Channel Islands have unveiled more than 80 projects combining festive events, conferences, artistic and cultural projects, concerts, festivals, educational projects, research conferences, multidisciplinary art exhibitions and many more! The Government of Jersey was represented by the head for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Charlotte Howe, and the States of Guernsey were represented by the Deputy Paul Montague, President of the Committee for Education, Sports and Culture and the Head of Culture and Heritage Services.
We thank the Normandy region for the inclusion of the Channel Islands in this event year, which is set to be exceptional! Find out more on projects of the Channel Islands for the Millenium here
As part of the cooperation agreement between the department of Ille et Vilaine and the Channel Islands (renewed in 2023), civil servants from the departmental archives services visited Jersey and Guernsey from 29 to 30 June. On 29 June, in Guernsey, the participants were welcomed by the team at Island Archives, the local archives service, to discover the organisation and missions of the service as well as conservation and digitisation projects. In the afternoon, the team visited the Museum Curatorial Centre which deals with the preservation of local archives. The day ended with a visit to the Guernsey Museums and Candie Gardens, where the statue of Victor Hugo is featured. On 30 June, in Jersey, the team was welcomed by Jersey Archives, the local archives service. The visit began with a presentation of the structure, a discussion on public records legislation, the collections, volunteer engagement at Jersey Archive, outreach projects and various conversation programs. The day ended with a meeting with the various teams and a visit to the archive building. The visits enabled to gain knowledge of each institution, share best practice and nurture future collaborations.
On 28 May, a delegation from the Channel Islands visited the Caen University Hospital for the first time to work on joint hospital measures. The delegation met with the technical teams from several departments to discuss awareness programs for the population. These exchanges with Normandy contribute to bringing these neighbouring territories closer while increasing their ability for greater resilience.
On 21 and 22 May, a delegation from Jersey travelled to the Departments of la Manche and Ille-et-Vilaine to discuss measures to prevent coastal erosion. In la Manche, the delegation visited several sites in the bay of Mont Saint Michel, where measures against coastal erosion are being implemented, the sites included the Havre de Blainville, the Havre de Geffosses and the Gouville-sur-Mer campsite. The delegation discussed raising awareness among the civilian population as well as prevention programs with members of la Manche department. In Ille-et-Vilaine, the delegation went to Anse du Guesclin, in Saint-Coulomb, to learn more about the public consultation process launched in 2023. This consultation focuses on the future of the stretch of coastline and was initiated by the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine, with Saint-Malo Agglomération, the municipalities of Saint-Coulomb, Cancale and Saint-Malo, and the sub-prefecture of Saint-Malo.
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’.
