From exploring Oxfordshire's historic attractions to enjoying the Banbury Canal Festival, our latest visit from Ermont was a wonderful celebration of friendship, hospitality and the spirit of town twinning.
The Banbury & District Twinning Association was delighted to welcome four visitors from our French twin town of Ermont from 1–5 October 2026, for a weekend filled with sightseeing, shared experiences and plenty of laughter.
Our visitors, Lea Reinsch, Françoise Ducoulombier and Ounissa Messara, were welcomed into the homes of local members, who generously gave their time to make the visit a memorable one.
Banbury has been twinned with Ermont since 1982, and more than four decades later, the friendship between our two communities continues to flourish.
Exploring Banbury and Beyond
The weekend offered our French guests a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the best that Banbury and the surrounding area have to offer.
The programme began with breakfast at Gail's Bakery, where hosts and visitors gathered before setting off to explore the beautiful grounds and history of Upton House. With glorious autumn sunshine, it was an ideal start to the visit.
A trip to Stratford-upon-Avon followed, proving particularly popular with guests interested in British history and culture. There was also time to discover Oxford, including an open-top sightseeing bus tour that was so enjoyable the group decided to go around twice!
Evenings brought everyone together over meals at The Red Lion in Adderbury and Church House in Banbury, providing plenty of opportunities to catch up, exchange stories and strengthen friendships.
Celebrating the Banbury Canal Festival
The Banbury Canal Festival was a highlight of the visit, with our French friends joining members of the Association to enjoy the festivities.
Our visitors explored the festival, enjoyed live music and took part in an autumn wreath-making session at Bridge Street Community Garden. A canal boat trip, kindly provided by Tooley's Boatyard, offered another memorable experience and a different perspective on Banbury's historic waterways.
Meanwhile, the Association's tombola stand proved enormously popular with festival visitors.
As our Chairman, John Donaldson, explained:
"It proved so popular on both days that we actually ran out of prizes before 2 PM each afternoon!"
A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who stopped by our stand, supported the tombola or took the opportunity to learn more about town twinning.
More Than Just a Visit
What makes town twinning special is not simply the places we visit, but the people we meet and the friendships we build.
For our hosts, welcoming guests from Ermont was just as rewarding as it was for the visitors themselves.
Carol, who welcomed a guest with a fascinating personal history stretching from Madagascar to Paris, reflected on how hosting encouraged her to rediscover familiar places through fresh eyes.
"Twinning is a mind-broadening experience and a wonderful opportunity to learn, practise or improve your languages." — Carol
Kim, who has welcomed visitors from both Ermont and our German twin town of Hennef over the years, spoke warmly about the lasting friendships that have developed through these exchanges. This year's visit was particularly special as the family welcomed back a guest who had attended the previous Canal Festival.
Another host reflected on the value of welcoming visitors into our homes rather than simply showing them the sights:
"Twinning also ensures that our visitors are not just tourists as they get to feel part of our community." - Brian
It is this personal connection that lies at the heart of town twinning. Whether sharing a traditional fish and chips supper, exploring somewhere new or simply chatting around the dinner table, these everyday moments help build understanding between cultures and create friendships that can last a lifetime.
Thank You to Our Hosts and Supporters
A huge thank you to Carol, Lloyd, Kim, Brian and Catherine for their generosity in welcoming our French friends and helping organise such an enjoyable visit.
We are also grateful to Tooley's Boatyard, Bridge Street Community Garden and everyone who contributed to the weekend's activities.
And, of course, a special thank you to our visitors from Ermont for making the journey to Banbury and sharing these wonderful few days with us.
Would You Like to Get Involved?
You don't need to speak fluent French or German to enjoy the benefits of town twinning. All you need is an interest in meeting new people, discovering different cultures and being part of a friendly local community.
Whether you would like to welcome visitors, join one of our trips abroad, help at local events or simply find out more, we would love to hear from you.
Town twinning is about bringing people together, building understanding and creating friendships that reach far beyond national borders.
After more than 40 years of friendship with Ermont, we look forward to many more visits, shared experiences and happy memories.
Here's to the next reunion!