You might have noticed that Thame Town Hall was flying the French flag over the weekend. This was to celebrate 15 years of twinning with Montesson.
Over the weekend Thame has welcomed guests from Montesson where various activities have been organised for them, and to get a chance to experience what Thame has to offer.
Thame Twinning organise annual visits and exchanges between the two sites. In May, Thame welcome guests from Montesson and in September, Montesson welcome guests from Thame.
Now many of you have probably seen the sign as you enter Thame via Aylesbury Road, stating that Thame is twinned with Montesson, but what do you really know about the French town near Paris.
Listed below are 10 facts about our French counterparts.
- Montesson is located in the region of Champagne-Ardenne in the western suburbs of Paris.
- Montesson is approximately 20km(12 miles) west of Paris.
- Montesson has around 16,000 inhabitants.
- Like Thame, Montesson has weekly market days. These are on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Along with Thame, Montesson also twin with the German city of Baesweiler.
- Since September 1966, Montesson has used the Montesson family shield, but there is no connection between the town and the Montesson family.
- Montesson is situated on the River Seine.
- The name Montesson derives from the Latin 'Mons taxonis' meaning 'mound of the badger'.
- Montesson is made up of three districts: The Centre, which is the the historical part of town, and the two Districts of Borders and Rabaux.
- The town was founded in the 13th century on a fertile plain which has long been used for market gardening.
