8th May 2025
You will have seen the signs as you arrive in Thame, you may have sat on a bench in Montesson Square and perhaps you’ve had a go on our tombola at the carnival or at Christmas, but what do you know about Montesson and why is it important to Thame? Montesson is a market town to the west of Paris with a population of around 14,000 people and our 2 towns have been twinned for the past 24 years. Every year since then there have been annual exchange visits in both directions as well as individual visits at other times of the year. We are an active association, always looking for new ways to form links between our two towns. Last year a group of 11 cyclists rode from Thame to Montesson, raising money for the Mayor’s Charities and we are very hopeful that our respective rugby clubs will arrange some matches against each other next year. However, back to the present, and we are still on a high from welcoming our friends to Thame over the Bank Holiday weekend. As usual they stayed with host families. Indeed, some have stayed with the same family since the start in 2001! The weekend had a packed programme, including a trip into London followed by a party on Saturday evening, with music provided by our mayor and his band, Je T’hame. This exceeded all our expectations and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Every year in September we make the return trip. This year we have been invited for the weekend of 19th – 21st September. Typically, we arrive late on Friday afternoon and are treated to a daytrip to a local place of interest on the Saturday. Past trips have included the centre of Paris, Versailles, Monet’s Garden, Chartres and Chantilly to name but a few. Following the customary evening party, there will be fireworks and dancing for those who wish to join in with the festivities of the local fête. Sunday is usually a time to relax with our hosts until we leave shortly after lunch. |
Would you like to join us? We’ve booked a coach and there are a few spare spaces. Currently the cost is £170 per head which includes everything except for your own personal spending money. Meals and accommodation are provided by a host family and the daytrip is included. If we fill the coach, the cost will come down considerably. Just 5 more people brings the cost down to £140. If you’re interested in the September trip, please email: [email protected] You can find out more about the association by looking at our website: thametwinning.co.uk |