Île des Faisans: The World's Smallest Condominium Alternates Between France and Spain Every Six Months

The Île des Faisans, a small island in the Bidassoa River between France and Spain, has a unique administrative status: it is the world's smallest condominium, with its sovereignty alternating between the two countries every six months. From August 1 to January 31, the island is administered by France; for the rest of the year, it is under Spanish administration. This arrangement has been in place for over a century. The island is located in the middle of the Bidassoa, which forms part of the border between the two nations. The video report, published on July 31, 2026, by France 24, highlights this geographical and historical curiosity. The island's status is a rare example of a condominium, a territory jointly governed by two or more states. The report also includes an image credit to Valentin Cacheux / France Médias Monde and references Wikipedia. The video content requires enabling cookies and disabling browser extensions to view. The report is part of a series of cultural and historical features, including stories on Wallace fountains, the birth of Impressionism, Tournesol swimming pools, the phonk music genre, the Champs-Élysées, Bastille Day military parade, and the Bayeux Tapestry loan to London.