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Summer feature: «Athena at the Beach» is touring France!
For the fourth year running, IHEDN is here to keep you company throughout your holidays with the launch of its major summer event, «Athéna à la plage». For the 2026 edition, there’ll be no lazing about – instead, it’s a veritable ‘Grande Boucle’ of defence culture!
The starting signal has been given in Barcelona for an unprecedented intellectual and geopolitical race. After a memorable journey through 21 steps, our strategic peloton will cross the legendary finish line on 26 July, in the heart of the Cour d’honneur at the École Militaire.
Our ‘Grande Boucle’ programme features a journey through France’s national defence – past, present and future:
- High-level strategy : an analysis of the key issues in international cooperation and partnerships.
- Military geography : an analysis of the topographical challenges, borders and terrain features that shape defence.
- Human history : an exploration of key historical sites and a focus on the illustrious figures who have left their mark on our collective memory.
The best bit? An interactive 100 % journey! Throughout the summer, test your knowledge on the beach or at the office with our little-known historical facts, visual content and weekly quizzes.
Pack your bags: it’s time to set off!
For our first stop, Athéna is heading to Barcelona, a city that has come to symbolise a historic strategic rapprochement between France and Spain.
Signed in January 2023, the Treaty of Barcelona laid the foundations for an exceptional bilateral agreement, designed to shape relations between Paris and Madrid in several key areas: politics, the economy, energy, the green transition and, of course, defence.
From 2023 to 2026: a partnership reaffirmed at the summit
This high-level partnership has been cemented and given a vision for the future through January 2026, during the official visit of the King Felipe VI of Spain at the Élysée Palace. This summit-level exchange served to reaffirm the vitality of this strategic axis in the face of contemporary international crises, highlighting that Europe’s security depends on its ability to bring its major players together.
Against a European backdrop characterised by geopolitical tensions and the need for resilience, France and Spain share a common ambition: to work together to strengthen strategic autonomy and the defence mindset across the continent.
The main points of this comprehensive agreement:
- Political and strategic dialogue : close and regular consultation between governments and the armed forces on matters of global security.
- Energy sovereignty : the development of shared infrastructure to ensure security of supply and European resilience.
- Industrial synergies : strengthened economic and industrial ties within the European defence and high-tech sectors.
- International Coordination : a shared vision within the European Union and NATO in the face of asymmetric and hybrid threats.
A regional approach to the challenges of tomorrow
The Treaty of Barcelona fully illustrates the importance of regional cooperation within the European Union. Faced with contemporary threats, European states are increasingly seeking to coordinate their actions in order to enhance their effectiveness, protection and resilience.
Looking beyond the strictly diplomatic aspects, this first port of call illustrates how relations between states can evolve over the centuries: from long-standing historical rivalries to a framework of lasting, shared strategic cooperation.
