Limburg an der Lahn
Population 34,000
Limburg an der Lahn is an historic town, some 35 miles north of Frankfurt and close to the Rhine valley. It boasts a fine ancient cathedral, and the congregations of the cathedrals of Lichfield and Limburg maintain close links.
The Altstadt (old town) area of Limburg is full of narrow, cobbled streets with half-timbered houses, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. When you tire of historic sites, there are shops, department stores and markets galore in Limburg’s town centre, together with cultural facilities. The river Lahn runs through Limburg and provides various water based activities.
Every third year it is the turn of one of the towns to host the town twinning weekend. These weekends act as a focus, and provide a springboard for creating new links between the three countries, their clubs, schools and companies. Naturally, friendships and contacts made over twinning weekends continue throughout the year, with visits being made to friends abroad, often combined with a holiday.
Sainte Foy lès Lyon
Population 22,000
Sainte Foy lès Lyon is slightly smaller than both Lichfield and Limburg. It is only three miles from the centre of Lyon (the second city of France), but is a community in its own right. The town grew as a haven from the industry of Lyon, as it is set high above the city, and there are some wonderful panoramas of Lyon and the surrounding area, notably from a park known as the ‘Esplanade de Lichfield”. Lyon is said to be the city of three rivers – the Rhône and Saône rivers which converge there- and the Beaujolais! Sainte Foy’s finest historic asset is remains of a Roman aqueduct and there is a fine seminary, steep narrow walled streets, parks, gardens and squares in the town centre.