Fazan Island Returns to French Sovereignty in Annual Franco‑Spanish Hand‑over

Fazan Island (Île des Faisans / Isla de los Faisanes) is a tiny river island on the Bidasoa, which forms part of the France‑Spain border between Hendaye and Irun. The island, smaller than a football field and uninhabited, has been administered jointly by the two countries for more than three centuries.

Under a fixed calendar, Spain manages the island from 1 February to 31 July, after which France takes over from 1 August to 31 January. The next hand‑over is scheduled for 1 August 2026, when the island will officially revert to French sovereignty. The change is marked by a ceremonial key exchange, with no territorial dispute or diplomatic renegotiation involved. Historically, the island featured in the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees that ended a long‑standing war between the two powers. The island remains closed to the public and is reserved for wildlife, with only officials from France and Spain visiting for the ceremony.