Saint Maur-Des Foses Exchange Visit 2926
Its Ski time in the Paris Alps
re there mountains in Paris? Indeed there are and 19 adults from Bognor Regis saw them when on their recent exchange visit to Bognor’s twin town of St Maur-des-Fossés! The mountains are actually a striking, temporary art installation, by street artist JR, wrapping the 400-year-old Pont Neuf bridge in a giant inflatable, resembling huge snowy mountains 18 metres high.
The programme for the exchange visit, organised by Les Amis de Bognor Regis, also included a guide to the newly restored Notre Dame before a tour of the Left Bank, with a close-up view of the Pont Neuf installation. Visits included insights of the old Abbesses area, with a symphony orchestra playing in one church, then viewing the Wall of Love, with the words ”I love you” written in 250 languages, before going on and into the Sacre Coeur basilica with panoramic views over Montmartre and the city of Paris. Guests were also taken on the very first urban cable car in the Ile de France, which at 4.5 kilometres long, connects 5 small towns. Guests trying out the cable car were encouraged to wear beanies (in 30 degree heat!) as though going up a mountain, although this cable car route actually never climbs! There was also the opportunity to visit the Palace of Versailles with its beautiful gardens.
St Maur-des-Fossés is very close to Paris, so access into the city centre is not only easy but a pleasure on the double decker, very clean trains. Guests from Bognor stayed in the St Maur area and were welcomed by their individual hosts into their homes for the duration of the visit. Not everyone could speak French but, as many of the hosts spoke good English, careful placement meant everyone felt relaxed and very happy during their stay.
On the last evening of the visit, the local association of Les Amis de Bognor Regis treated all visitors from Bognor, with their French hosts, to a sumptuous three course meal in a restaurant situated on the Marne river. Speeches were made and thanks given to those who had helped to make this exchange visit such a success. Special thanks were given to the French hosts, whose amazing generosity can only be repaid on a return visit to Bognor next year.
