The event is set to see more than 2,800 parks and gardens across Europe opened up to the public this year, with 12 of the Bailiwick’s finest gardens counted among that number.
‘We are delighted to participate this year, and to honour our long cultural and historical connections with our French neighbours,’ said Helen Glencross, head of Culture and Heritage Services.
‘We’re so blessed by Candie and our other island gardens – they invite us to slow down, connect and escape into nature.’
As well as providing an opportunity for islanders to step out into nature, the island’s participation in the event is also hoped to help visitors – especially those from France who may already be familiar with the programme – see the best that the island has to offer.
‘I think getting involved lets us tap into the promotional network of the Rendezvous-aux-Jardins initiative,’ said Economic Development president Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.
‘It is a key priority for my committee to develop closer cultural, trade, tourism and political connections with out closest neighbours in Normandy and Brittany, and launching the Normandy part of the Europe-wide Rendezvous-aux-Jardins programme here in Guernsey is a perfect example of the type of partnerships and projects we can develop together.’
The 2026 theme for the event continues on from the 2024 theme ‘The Five Senses in the Garden’, focusing on ‘The View’. The theme invites visitors to discover and experience gardens through sight, taking time to reflect on the visual beauty around them. The annual theme is selected by France’s National Commission for Heritage and Architecture.
‘It’s great that all the islands are participating, and that there aren’t really any barriers to entry for the event,’ said Visit Guernsey marketing manager Jo Ferguson.
‘We’re really pleased to be part of it this year, especially given the influx of visitors from France we’ve saw last summer.’
This year marks the 23rd year that the initiative has been running, and now has as many as 20 nations from across Europe participating.
The event itself will take place on the first weekend of June, with nine Guernsey garden, two Sark gardens and one Alderney garden opening up for visitors to see.
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