The Isle of Pheasants

The river Bidassoa, for nine miles, marks the boundary between France and Spain; high stone pillars down the center of the stream mark the exact line. Near its mouth the river separates around the Isle of Pheasants (Ile des Faisans), or the "Isle of Conference." This famous Island of the Bidassoa has always been neutral ground. Many stormy conferences have been held between rival nations, and many political matrimonial alliances have been arranged here. The Isle of Pheasants is chiefly famous for the marriage negotiations between Louis XIV. of France and the Infanta Maria Theresa, daughter of Philip IV. of Spain. From either bank of the little island the rival kingdoms, in 1659, vied in erecting gorgeously-covered causeways leading from exactly opposite points to the accurately computed center of the island. Here a temporary palace was erected, with apartments on opposite sides, for the royal contracting parties. In the exact center was the Hall of Audience, and across the exact center was drawn a dividing line. So the King of France did not leave France and the King of Spain did not leave Spain, but the conference was held vis a vis; for war was ended, and the "Peace of the Pyrenees" meant the marriage of the French King to the Spanish Princess. But formalities were not yet at an end; the Infanta of Spain could not go to France even to wed a king, and the King of France could not leave his kingdom. So Maria Theresa was married by proxy on the borders of Spain, at Fonterrabia; then, crossing the Bidassoa, met her royal spouse, and married the King en personne within the borders of France, October 3d, 1660, at St. Jean de Luz (St. John of Light). This marriage, so important then, is of importance even now, for the grandson of Louis XIV. and Maria Theresa came to the throne of Spain in 1700. He was Philip V. of Anjou, the first Bourbon King of Spain, a dynasty which no longer rules in France, but, through revolutions and interregnums, still rules in Spain.