Being just 30 miles from the Normandy coastline, the Islands of Guernsey have always had close connections with France. From our own from our very own take on the French Language with our native Guernésiais (also known as Guernsey French) to the historical French figures, such as Victor Hugo and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who came to stay on our Islands and fell in love with them.
This October, Le French Festival, a celebration of French culture on the Islands of Guernsey, returns with a host of French-themed activities, exhibitions, music, food, films and even an opera. From the 10th - 15th October, dive into the French influences on Guernsey culture and enjoy a taste of France right here on our Islands.
We've broken down the programme to help you get the most out of the festival.
Food and Drink
French Market 11-15 October
For the first time in many years, the French Markets will return to Guernsey from Normandie. Enjoy a charming pop-up mix of French traders selling cheese, honey, Saucisson, charcuterie, Cider, Pommeau, Calvados, apple juice, fruit and veg. They will also have a great selection of soaps, bags, cashmere and other sundry.
Try a Taste of Guernsey | 13th October
Get a taste of traditional Guernsey food, drink and clothing at the Guernsey Information Centre in St Peter Port. More details coming soon.
Oh La La | 3rd October - 30th November
Special three course French menu at The Cornerstone.
Crepe Maison La Nuit | 10th - 15 October
Cheese Fondue for two and a bottle of French cider. At family owned bistro & patisserie Crepe Maison, serving traditional Breton Galettes & Crepes, homemade sourdough breads, cakes & pastries.
French Cocktail of the Week | 10th - 15th October
Balthazar in St Peter Port is well known for its cocktails of the week, and during the week of Le French Festival, you can enjoy their French cocktail of the week. After enjoying a drink in the vibrant bar area, why not stay for dinner? Balthazar is a steak and seafood restaurant serving locally sourced ingredients in a modern and relaxed restaurant environment.
French Dining with the Tennerfest | October & November
The Tennerfest is the Island's annual food celebration, with restaurants offering set menus at lower costs. The festival has prices from 3 courses for £10 up to £20, depending on the restaurant, letting you explore Guernsey's gastronomy for less. There are a lot of delicious dishes inspired by French cuisine, perfect for following the theme of Le French Festival.
Exhibitions
Renoir in Guernsey, 1883 Exhibition | 30th September - 17th December
The only Renoir exhibition in the world in 2023, this brand new experience by Art for Guernsey will celebrate the 140th anniversary of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s stay in Guernsey and the inspiration that he found on the Island. The exhibition is in partnership with the Guernsey Museums and the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny and includes a host of major international loans.
The centrepiece of the event will be a fine art exhibition at Candie Museum, with other exhibitions and activities planned at the Priaulx Library, the Renoir Walk and Art for Guernsey’s gallery in the Old Quarter. Other events include:
- Capturing Movement and Light - Visit local photographer Paul Chambers’ exhibition at the Art for Guernsey Gallery where he has challenged himself to capture the views that Renoir saw, using only photographic equipment that would have been available in the 19th Century.
- The Public Photography Exhibition by Art for Guernsey - Islanders and visitors are invited to take up the same challenge as Paul Chambers, to capture the views that Renoir saw, and to have their work exhibited at the gallery. Use the #RenoirSnaps for the chance to have your work displayed.
- The Renoir Walk - Head to Moulin Huet to explore the bays and landscapes that inspired Renoir's paintings.
- A Day in 1883 at Priaulx Library - Explore a collection of engravings, photographs and documents recreating the atmosphere of the island at the time of Renoir’s visit.
We also have a collection of Renoir-themed special offers and package deals, which can be viewed on the offers page of our website. Just filter ‘type’ by ‘Renoir’.
Kindly sponsored by Investec.
Timewarp 2023: A Picnic with Renoir | 10th - 15th October
Renoir loved spending time at Moulin Huet and painted about 15 views of the area, including the cottage near the beach which still stands today. We do not know if Renoir ever visited the cottage but we know Victor Hugo spent time there in 1859 and 1870. This little house is the inspiration for the 2023 Timewarp at the Guernsey Museum at Candie. There's lots of dressing up to enjoy for younger visitors and activities for all ages to get involved in, transporting you back in time to when Hugo would have visited the cottage.
French Adventures at Castle Cornet | 14th & 15th October
Over the weekend, there will be a range of family-friendly events at Castle Cornet, all following the French theme of the festival. Events include:
- Two self-guided picture trails taking you through the depths of the Castle.
- The Toilers of the Sea trail will challenge you to find characters from the Toilers of the Sea, Victor Hugo’s novel set in Guernsey.
- The French Connections Timeline Trail is a bilingual journey covering the important historical connections between Guernsey and France.
- The Crafts Room - Try your hand at French knitting, make an octopus or learn some castle-related words in French.
- Reenactments - The Guernsey History in Action Company will be treating audiences to one of their spellbinding performances. ‘For Art & For Love’ on Sunday 15th October after the noonday gun in the Amherst Room at Castle Cornet.
- Noonday Gun - If you’re at the Castle at midday, don’t miss the firing of the noonday gun, a daily occurrence in Guernsey spanning generations. There will also be the opportunity to have your photograph taken with the gunners.
No need to book. Events and activities open during normal Castle opening hours and normal Castle admission fees apply.
Outdoor Activities
Pétanque and Croissant | 10th - 13th October
Enjoy a lunchtime game of petanque, with full instruction, use of all equipment and a history of the game provided. £10 payable by cash or card on the day, including a hot drink and a croissant. Please note that space is limited to just 12 people per day, so pre-booking is advised.
Tour de Guernsey
Join Go Guernsey Land and Sea for a French themed, guided cycle ride through the charming harbour town of St Peter Port. The guided tour will focus on the French influences on the island.
Walking in Victor Hugo's Footsteps in St Peter Port | 10th October
Join a knowledgeable, accredited guide and wander through the same steps and alleyways in St Peter Port as Victor Hugo, who lived in Guernsey in political exile for 15 years. Learn about his time in Guernsey and see the house and gardens where he lived.
Walking in the Footsteps of Renoir and Victor Hugo on the South Coast | 13th & 15th October
This stunning walk will take you to the spots that Renoir painted during his stay on Guernsey and that Victor Hugo saw on his frequent visits to Moulin Huet. There will also be a visit to the normally inaccessible cottage that Renoir painted and where Hugo picnicked. The cottage is now privately owned by your guide, Korinne’s, family. There will be an optional tea stop during the walk.
Renoir Walk | 10th - 15th October
Located in the Moulin Huet Valley on Guernsey's south coast, the Renoir Walk is a short, self-guided trail that takes visitors to the locations Renoir painted during his stay on Guernsey in 1883. The Renoir Walk follows his footsteps around the bay and is marked by five empty picture frames which are placed in the exact spots he painted. Take a moment to see Moulin Huet from the same perspective as Renoir.
Literature
French Collection at The Guille-Allès Library | 10th - 14th October
The Guille-Allès Public Library will display a variety of French-themed books and other items available to borrow during Le French Festival, including French learning packs, guidebooks and French novels to enjoy on the beach.
Discover the Priaulx Library’s French Language Resources | 11th October
The Priaulx Library has many fascinating historic books and documents written in French. Take a look at and learn about the history of the French language in Guernsey. Set in picturesque Candie Gardens, the Library has been the centre for local records and culture since 1889. Their collections include maps, family records, pictures, photographs, books, local newspapers, family and military records and important local documents.
Performances
Renne Opera Presents L'Elixir d'Amour | 11th October
‘L'Elixir d'Amour’, or ‘Elixir of Love’, is an opera depicting the story of Nemorino, in love with the peasant Adina, who buys a love potion in the hope of preventing her from marrying Sergeant Belcore. This screening at Beau Sejour is organised thanks to a partnership with the Opéra de Rennes and Guernsey Arts as part of "Opera on screen(s)", a project aiming to make opera accessible to a wider audience. The opera will be in Italian with French subtitles. The screening is free to attend, but it is recommended to book online and reserve a seat before the event.
Music
As part of Le French Festival 2023, join us for a series of free musical events celebrating the coming together of French and Guernsey musicians.
Tranzat at the Vault | 13th October
From Breast, Tranzat is four friends and a wild fusion of metal, rock and fun. A whirlwind of energy and madness, Trazat bring alternative metal from Brittany fusing exceptional musical craftsmanship with a fun twist. Supporting is Grunge from the Vale with Coastal Fire Dept – showcasing a throwback to 90s alt rock and grunge guitar bands with a modern twist, CFD is about big driving melodic guitars with catchy choruses.
KALAC at The Yacht | 14th October
Welcome to night of psychedelia and shoegaze. KALAC is a French psych band from Dinan (Brittany) influenced by Krautrock, shoegaze, 70’s psych rock and space rock. Mostly instrumental, they sing in both French and English. Supporting are up and coming Guernsey act SpaceSoul. These psychedelic travel agents push out a colourful and edgy live set, and have been compared by many to the likes of The Cure, Joy Division, Cocteau Twins and many more from that era.
Meetings with Experts
Victor Hugo Society Meeting Night | 11th October
Join the Victor Hugo Society at Les Cotils reading room to discover some of Victor Hugo’s connections with local people, as recorded in his notebooks. The Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society is proud of Guernsey’s connection to Victor Hugo, who lived in Guernsey for 15 years during his exile from France.
Pictures above highlighting Le French Festival with Camp de Reves offer
Many of our accommodation partners have created special packages to celebrate Le French Festival.
Explore all the deals on our special offers page.
