Le French Festival, Guernsey

Renoir Exhibition

Renoir in Guernsey, 1883

Art for Guernsey is delighted to announce that an exciting new exhibition - Renoir in Guernsey, 1883 - will open on 30th September this year.

The only Renoir exhibition in the world in 2023, it will celebrate the 140th anniversary of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s stay in Guernsey and the inspiration that he found on the island, and will be staged in partnership with the Guernsey Museums and the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, including 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.

Tickets are required for entry to the exhibition. Tickets are for a defined one-hour time slot, specific to a time and date of your choosing. Full details can be found here.

Renoir Walk

Located in the Moulin Huet Valley on the Guernsey's south coast, the Renoir Walk is a short, self-guided trail that takes visitors to locations where Renoir painted during a summer holiday in 1883.

The famous Impressionist spent just over a month on Guernsey and created 15 paintings during his stay, the majority of which depict views of Moulin Huet bay and beach, and which are considered to be among his best pieces of work.

The Renoir Walk follows his footsteps around the bay and is marked by five empty picture frames, which are placed in the exact spots where Renoir worked on his own paintings. The frames – especially commissioned to echo the ornate frames Renoir chose for his own artworks – allow viewers to see Moulin Huet from the same perspectives asthe Frenchman did.

French Dining - Tennerfest

Back this October! The Channel Islands’ most successful and beloved fixed-price food festival returns this October.

Sample fantastic foodie offerings in the Islands with some delicious dishes inspired by French cuisine. Menus coming soon!

Oh La La

Special three course French menu at The Cornerstone.

To book call 01481 727891 or email: info@thecornerstone.gg

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.

We can offer a 3 hour guided e bike tour on Tuesday afternoon on the 10th October.

Our guided tour will focus on the French influences on the island. The tour starts and finishes in St. Peter Port. It takes approximately 2.5-3 hours and is approximately 12km.

Fancy a self-guided tour instead? Find out more: Tour de Guernsey | Visit Guernsey

Crepe Maison La Nuit

Family Owned Bistro & Patisserie, Established 2021. Traditional Breton Galettes & Crepes, homemade Sourdough Breads, Cakes & Pastries.

Special offer for Le French Festival

Cheese Fondue for two and a bottle of French cider for two. Read more: Crepe Maison La Nuit | Visit Guernsey

Timewarp 2023: A Picnic with Renoir

In September 1883 the French artist Renoir arrived in Guernsey and stayed for a little over a month. He loved spending time at Moulin Huet and painted about 15 views of the area, including the cottage near the beach. The cottage still stands today and is being renovated by the owners. This little house has been the inspiration for our 2023 Timewarp at Guernsey Museum at Candie.

There's lots of dressing up to enjoy. Put on an artist smock with beret, a Victorian summer dress or even a pastry chef outfit. Much of the dressing up and props have been lovingly handmade by museum staff and volunteers.

Open daily 10am - 4pm

Guernsey Museum at Candie.

Normal Guernsey Museum entry fees apply.

French Collection at the Guille-Allès Library

The Guille-Allès Library is displaying a variety of French-themed books and other items available to borrow. For travellers these include French learning packs, guidebooks and French novels for the beach.

There’s something for everyone: from those with a penchant for Monet or Hugo to those seeking a soupçon of Michel Roux’s culinary delights.

It’s free to join the Library! Find out more at www.library.gg

Pétanque and Croissant

Full instruction, use of all equipment and a history of the game are provided.

Tuesday 10th October to Friday 13th October.

1 hour - 11am to 12pm

£10 per person includes a hot drink and a croissant.

Maximum 12 per day. Payable cash or card on the day. Booking guarantees your place via email to gpa@suremail.gg

In Victor Hugos Footsteps

Wander through the same steps and alleyways in St Peter Port as Victor Hugo. He was here as a political exile and was charmed and stayed for 15 years. Learn more about his time in Guernsey and see where he lived. Enjoy the views which inspired him and hear about his fascinating life.

Meeting start point: Guernsey Information Centre - What3Words ///present.tape.smooth

Timing: Tuesday 10 October at 2pm - 3:30pm

Price: £10

Book: gillstours@gmail.com

Renne Opera Presents L'Elixir d'Amour

"L'Elixir d'Amour" or Elixir of Love is an opera of great tenderness. The naive Nemorino, in love with the peasant Adina, buys a love potion in the hope of seducing her and thus prevents her from marrying Sergeant Belcore.

Date and time: 11th October, screening from 7pm-9.30pm

Venue: Beau Sejour

Price: Free – but you are requested to reserve a seat through guernseytickets.gg in order to attend.

Priaulx Library

Discover the Library’s French language resources

The Priaulx Library has many fascinating historic books and documents written in French. We’ll take a look at some of them and the history of the French language in Guernsey.

French Language Librarian Talk: Wednesday 11 October 10.30am – 11am

Free entry.

Victor Hugo Society Meeting Night

Join the Victor Hugo Society in Les Cotils reading room where we will 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 deep connection with one of the world’s greatest writers and humanitarians, Victor Hugo, its resident for over 15 years. The society promotes and celebrates that connection which gave birth, amongst other things, to Les Misérables.

Free: please contact Roy Bisson, Hon. Secretary of the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society, on sec@victorhugoinguernsey.gg if you would like to attend.

French Market

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, cashmere and other sundry.

Try a taste of Guernsey

Traditional Guernsey clothing by Guernsey Woollens and dishes by the Amchi Bus (bean jar tram) at the Guernsey Information Centre.

• Guernsey Bean Jar & Biscuits.
• Vegan Bean Jar.
• Vegetarian Bouillabaisse - made with only locally grown produce from The Soil Farm.
• Gâche and maybe some Gâche Mélée!

More details coming soon.

Walking in the Footsteps of Renoir and Victor Hugo

This stunning walk takes in Renoir’s stay in the Summer of 1883 and Victor Hugo’s frequent visits to Moulin Huet. We also visit the cottage Renoir painted in his famous masterpiece and where Hugo picnicked, now privately owned by Korinne’s family. I take walkers into this cottage, which is normally inaccessible.

Meeting start point: Moulin Huet Car Park - what3words ///nuggets.flight.raptures

Timing: Friday 13th October 10am to 12pm and Sunday 15th 2-4pm

Price: £10

To book please email: korinne@guernseytourguide.co.uk

Head to Castle Cornet for some French adventures!

On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October, there will be self-hosted events at Castle Cornet, suitable for all the family.

Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October, 10am - 5pm

• Crafts room 10am - 5pm
• The French Connections Timeline Trail 10am - 5pm (follow directions from the shop)
• The Toilers Picture Trail 10am - 5pm (pick up from the shop)
• Noon day gun 12pm
• Guernsey History in Action performance TBC

Castle admission: £11 for adults, £3 for children (7-18 years) and students (with a valid student card), free for children under 7 years. Also free for Discovery Pass holders.

No need to book.