6 months Spain, 6 months under France! Why can’t tourists set foot on the 350-year-old island?

The Bidasoa River flows through the border between France and Spain. There is a piece of land on the river bank. It can be mistaken for a very ordinary island in appearance. There are no splashes of blue water, no luxury villas or cafes to sit in on a lazy afternoon. However, this Pheasant Island has stood as a silent witness of a strange diplomatic history for more than three and a half hundred years. The island is owned by Spain for six months of the year, and France for the remaining six months. There are many examples of such amazing border sharing on the face of the earth.

Why such a strange rule?

This strange rule began in 1659. France and Spain signed the Treaty of the Pyrenees to end the long-standing conflict. This neutral island in Bidasoa river was chosen for discussion. It was here that the royal marriage of French Emperor Louis XIV to Princess Maria Theresa of Spain was arranged. The objective was only one – to establish the message of peace between the two countries. But at the end of the agreement, complications arise as to who will own the island. No country was willing to give up its claim to this territory. Finally, the two sides reached a novel compromise. Well, the sovereignty of the island rotates between the two countries every six months of the year. After three and a half centuries, that rule is still being followed.

Closed to the general public?

However, there is no way to set foot on this island steeped in history. Pheasant Island is completely closed to tourists. There is no ferry service or walking path to get there. Only high-ranking officials of the two countries are allowed to go there. They visit the island every six months for formal handovers and maintenance. If you stand on the riverside of the city of ‘Handai’ in France or ‘Irun’ in Spain, you will see this green area. However, seeing from a distance has to fill the heart of the wanderlust.

The green symbol of compromise

Pheasant Island today is completely uninhabited. No resident, no caretaker. What was once the epicenter of European diplomacy is now a dense forest. The rise and fall of empires, the change of dynasties, or the tumult of war—nothing could alter this custom. Where borders usually mean division and barbed wire, this Chilean island is a unique symbol of mutual cooperation. The cities on both sides of the river have their own magical atmosphere. The Basque architecture and sandy beaches of Handai, or the historic old neighborhoods and bustling markets of Irun attract tourists. And standing between the two cities, this quiet island reminds us how history and geography can come together in a surprising harmony.