1st October 2026
On Wednesday 16 September, a team of 8 Thame residents, including Thame Mayor, Cllr Andy Gilbert and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Andy Wainwright, set out early to start their cycle to our twin town, Montesson, in France. On this special occasion, our two towns were celebrating 25 years of twinning (Jumelage in French) with a reception on the Friday evening to mark their Silver Jubilee. An intrepid of three of the team cycled on day one, cycling for a total of 110 miles to Newhaven, whilst the others followed suit in the support van or by train.
After a short sleep on the ferry, the team disembarked at 5am local time and rode through a still-sleeping Dieppe onto the route vert, a dedicated cycling route that would take them down to Paris. A strong coffee woke them up around 6:30am and as daylight broke, they enjoyed a great ride to their overnight stop at Gisors. The next day, there was more easy riding along the route vert with a diversion to Monet's garden at Giverny. Back on the route, they made it to Conflans (where the Oise meets the Seine) where they met with the cycling Montessonais who accompanied them into Montesson.
Saturday was spent at nearby Versaille, then back for an evening reception with our Montesson hosts and visitors from their German twin-town of Baesweiller (just north of Aachen). Sunday was a church service for the twin towns, a quick lunch then back on the coach to return home to Thame.
A busy weekend, but a great celebration of twinning with French and German friends.
As well as celebrating this 25 year milestone, they were also raising money for the Mayor’s Charities, Thame’s Community and Youth Centre and Thame Senior Friendship Centre. Any donation you can make to show your support would be much appreciated.
