If dreaming of leaving your hometown has been getting you through lockdowns and travel bans, you may be interested to know that many places in England are twinned with popular destinations in France. When two places are ‘twinned’ it means that they have links between the two communities with an agreement in place to maintain a great relationship, giving them a connection for life.
Although your town being twinned with somewhere continental might not be the same as being in France itself, researching it can certainly help to inspire a future trip. Here, we take a look at some places in Kent twinned with towns in France that you might like to visit in the future.
Places in Kent twinned with towns in France : Dover and Calais
Unsurprisingly, Dover is twinned with Calais which sits just across the Channel and can even be seen from the town’s promenade and clifftops on clear days. Easy to reach via our 90-minute ferry crossing, Calais offers plenty to do during a day trip – regardless of whether your travelling as a couple, a group of friends, or with children. Summer is a particularly good time to visit Calais thanks to its long stretch of beach. Calais beach’s soft sand offers a perfectly comfortable spot to sunbathe, and children will love building sandcastles and splashing in the sea.
Calais is a fabulous place for foodies too, as there are plenty of amazing restaurants to try. Being based on the coast, Calais is especially famous for its seafood, whether this is a generous portion of mussels and chips or something a little more gourmet. Find out more about some of the best places to eat in Calais, including restaurants offering delicious French cuisine and those serving up something a bit different.
In addition to summer, Christmas is a great time to head to Calais as the town centre is transformed into a winter wonderland each year. Boasting multiple Christmas markets, fairground rides, and food stalls, you’re sure to love wandering the streets whilst you admire decorations and keep an eye out for Santa!
Folkestone is twinned with Boulogne and Étaples
One French twin isn’t enough for the seaside town of Folkestone as they are paired with both Boulogne and Étaples. Just a half hour drive from Calais, Boulogne is a very popular option for France day-trippers thanks to one of its main attractions: Nausicaá. An aquarium with so much to see and do that you’ll be spoilt for choice, Nausicaá is home to a whole host of underwater creatures – from jellyfish to sea lions. The aquarium has been created to be interactive, with screens dotted around that enable you to play games, do quizzes, and learn fun facts.
Elsewhere in Boulogne are its Old Town, which is wonderfully picturesque and surrounded by tall ramparts that you can walk around, and its beach, which is long, flat, and perfect for sand yachting! If you visit Boulogne on a Wednesday or Saturday you can’t miss its morning market which boasts plenty of fresh produce, including seafood, that you can pack up and take home with you.
Just under an hour’s drive from Calais port is Étaples, a little fishing village joined to the popular tourist destination of Le Touquet by a pink granite bridge. Étaples is a lovely stop-off point for anyone who likes all things nautical, as it’s characterised by its fishing markets and themed museums – plus there are some traditional fisherman’s cottages to admire as you explore. In November, the village hosts the Herring Festival which gives you the chance to try this humble fish in a whole variety of ways, and definitely offers a unique experience!
Canterbury is twinned with Reims
With an impressive cathedral that’s a tourist attraction in itself, it only seems right that Canterbury is twinned with a city that boasts equally attractive architecture; Reims. This French city has its own centuries old cathedral which has played host to many royal coronations over the years, and has an array of sculpted figures on its facade which make for very interesting viewing. Perhaps the most famous of which being the Smiling Angel which was damaged in WW2 and subsequently used as anti-German propaganda.
Alongside its cathedral, Reims boasts a number of other buildings which are worth a visit. The Palace of Tau, located next to the cathedral, is home to the cathedral’s treasury and played an important part in the coronations of French kings. The oldest part of the building is the chapel which dates back to 1207. You should also pay a visit to Saint-Remi Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a wonderfully gothic look. The basilica is located just 20 minutes from the cathedral by foot, so you can have a leisurely wander between the two sites.
Fans of fizz simply have to visit one on Reims’ champagne houses during their trip. Tours will show you the chalk tunnels which help in the creation of some of the world’s best champagne, and you’re sure to learn everything you need to know about your favourite celebratory beverage. With a number of champagne houses in Reims to choose from, including Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin and Tattinger, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing which one to discover.
Sandwich is twinned with Honfleur
The historic Kentish town of Sandwich is twinned with one of the prettiest towns in the north of France, Honfleur. Full of character, Honfleur is a picturesque destination boasting half-timber houses, cobblestone streets, and a pretty harbour, making it the perfect place for romantic trips as a couple. No trip to Honfleur is complete without seeing St. Catherine’s Church. The largest wooden church in France, this building dates back to the 15th century and shows just how skilled the residents of the town were when it came to creating impressive structures out of wood.
A wander around Honfleur’s harbour is another must, and you’re sure to be delighted with how the pretty surrounding houses reflect in the still water. The harbour and its surroundings change spectacularly throughout the day and into the night as daylight comes and goes, giving it a new lease of life no matter when you decide to visit. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that the harbour, known as Vieux Bassin, has been the subject of many paintings throughout the years, including those by famous artist Claude Monet. If you’re interested in art, you might like to pay a visit to the Eugene Boudin museum while you’re in Honfleur. Born in the town in 1824, Boudin was mostly known for his landscape and seascape works, and you can see around 200 of his pieces in the museum.
The best way to explore Honfleur is by simply wandering its pretty streets. You’ll come across independent boutiques, craft shops, and art galleries, plus a selection of places to eat and drink. Try the regional specialty of cider and pancakes to feel like a local, or stop off at a tea salon and treat yourself to some French pastries. If you find yourself in Honfleur on a Wednesday or Saturday, you’ll also be able to explore the town’s farmer’s market where you can pick up some local ciders or delicious cheese to bring home with you.
Now that you know all about some of the places in Kent twinned with towns in France, pick your favourite and start planning your post lockdown trip via our Dover to Calais route today.
