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New York Post
5 days ago
- General
- New York Post
This peculiar European island swaps nationalities every six months
A tiny European island nestled between northern Spain and southern France oddly flips nationalities every six months due to a unique three-century-old treaty struck between the two countries. Pheasant Island, an uninhabited 660-foot-long spot in the Bidasoa River, bounces back and forth between the Spanish city of Irun and the French town of Hendaye, according to the area's tourism website. The twice-yearly handover, marked by a formal military parade, stems from the Treaty of the Pyrenees. 3 Aerial view of Pheasant Island, located on the Bidasoa River, showing the border between France and Spain. Google Earth The unusual agreement, signed on Nov. 7, 1659, ended the Franco-Spanish War and established the desolate island as a border between the two nations — effectively placing the sliver of territory under Spanish control from Feb. 1 to July 31, and under French governance from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31. 'When the wars between France and Spain ended, they kept the island as a neutral space,' said Sylvie Salaberria-Mercier, a Hendaye tourism official, according to The Telegraph. 'It's a small island, but a reminder of the past. A reminder of the wars and a reminder of peace.' A monolith — engraved with a commemorative inscription detailing the island's historic role — was erected at the center of the pint-sized parcel to honor the spirit and cooperation between the two countries. The twice-yearly flag-swapping ceremony now takes place around the prized stone marker. 3 Panoramic view of Irun and Hendaye, towns on the Spain-France border. dudlajzov – 3 The twice-yearly handover, marked by a formal military parade, stems from the Treaty of the Pyrenees. Google Earth The island, known as the world's smallest condominium, or place with two rules, also holds historical significance as the meeting place of Louise XIV and his future wife, Maria Theresa of Spain. The densely forested islet — ironically home to no pheasants — is only open to the public during the semiannual celebrations. The little bipartite island, located in Basque Country, is restricted to military personnel.
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year
Despite it's name, there are no actual pheasants on the island DOUBLE IT The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year DEPENING on what time of year you are near Pheasant Island, could change what country you are actually in. Only 200 metres long and 40 metres wide (making it the world's smallest condominium) it is jointly governed by both France and Spain. 4 Pheasant Island is jointly governed by France and Spain Credit: Alamy 4 The island is only 200 metres long and becoming smaller due to erosion Credit: Alamy The island changes nationality every six months, being under Spanish control from February 1 to July 31, and then French territory from August 1 to January 31. This was an agreement made on November 7, 1659 by the signing of The Treaty of the Pyrenees. The treaty was signed on Pheasant Island and consequently ended the Franco-Spanish War and established a border between the two nations. To honour the occasion, there was even a royal wedding. In 1660, French King Louis XIV married the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain, on the spot of the declaration. Their marriage was a key provision of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, and aimed to solidify the peace and reconciliation between the two countries. In the middle of the island there is a monolith, which is a commemorative stone in the centre of the island. The monolith's inscription is in Spanish on one side and French on the other. Despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island, but there is other wildlife like migratory birds, wild animals, and green crested mallards. The island can sometimes be reached on foot from the Spanish side at low tide. The little-known French island near the UK - with 60 beaches, Mediterranean-style climate & turquoise waters 4 Every six months there is a ceremony to mark the switching of sides Credit: Alamy Despite this, visitors are not allowed on the island, apart from during a few days, but this is limited to military personnel. It does open occasionally on heritage open days although these are rare. European Heritage Days (or Heritage Open Days in the UK) are an annual event where lots of historic sites, some of which are inaccessible, open their doors to the public for free. For anyone wanting have a peak at Pheasant Island, make a note of the third weekend of September as that is when France hold their Heritage Open days, called Journées du Patrimoine. It's possible, but not guaranteed that Pheasant Island will be open to the public then. On February 1 and August 1, the French and Spanish authorities conduct a formal handover of the island. Both sides perform military dress parades around the monolith before peacefully switching governance. There are still lots of areas to explore outside of Pheasant Island. It's surrounded by the Basque Country in northern Spain and is known for its mountainous terrain and rugged coastlines It's also close to the Camino de Santiago, a network of ancient, spiritual pilgrimage routes in Spain. Here's another tiny European holiday island that used to be a spa resort and cars are banned. And the unusual European city that looks like it's made entirely out of Lego.
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year
DEPENING on what time of year you are near Pheasant Island, could change what country you are actually in. Only 200 metres long and 40 metres wide (making it the world's smallest condominium) it is jointly governed by both France and Spain. Advertisement 4 Pheasant Island is jointly governed by France and Spain Credit: Alamy 4 The island is only 200 metres long and becoming smaller due to erosion Credit: Alamy The island changes nationality every six months, being under Spanish control from February 1 to July 31, and then French territory from August 1 to January 31. This was an agreement made on November 7, 1659 by the signing of The Treaty of the Pyrenees. The treaty was signed on Pheasant Island and consequently ended the Franco-Spanish War and established a border between the two nations. To honour the occasion, there was even a royal wedding. Advertisement Read More on European Islands In 1660, French King Louis XIV married the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain, on the spot of the declaration. Their marriage was a key provision of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, and aimed to solidify the peace and reconciliation between the two countries. In the middle of the island there is a monolith, which is a commemorative stone in the centre of the island. The monolith's inscription is in Spanish on one side and French on the other. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island, but there is other wildlife like migratory birds, wild animals, and green crested mallards. The island can sometimes be reached on foot from the Spanish side at low tide. The little-known French island near the UK - with 60 beaches, Mediterranean-style climate & turquoise waters 4 Every six months there is a ceremony to mark the switching of sides Credit: Alamy Despite this, visitors are not allowed on the island, apart from during a few days, but this is limited to military personnel. Advertisement It does open occasionally on heritage open days although these are rare. European Heritage Days (or Heritage Open Days in the UK) are an annual event where lots of historic sites, some of which are inaccessible, open their doors to the public for free . For anyone wanting have a peak at Pheasant Island, make a note of the third weekend of September as that is when France hold their Heritage Open days, called Journées du Patrimoine. It's possible, but not guaranteed that Pheasant Island will be open to the public then. Advertisement On February 1 and August 1, the French and Spanish authorities conduct a formal handover of the island. Both sides perform military dress parades around the monolith before peacefully switching governance. There are still lots of areas to explore outside of Pheasant Island. It's surrounded by the Basque Country in northern Spain and is known for its mountainous terrain and rugged coastlines Advertisement It's also close to the Camino de Santiago, a network of ancient, spiritual pilgrimage routes in Spain. Here's another And the 4 Pheasant Island changes nationality every six months Credit: Alamy Advertisement
