Willkommen Bienvenue Welcome

Delegates from Richmond, Konstanz & Fontainebleau at an international conference on the Climate Emergency in Konstanz in September 2022.
One of the 22 magnificent town twinning signs which greet you as you cross the borough borders. These were refurbished in 2021.

The borough of Richmond has been twinned with Fontainebleau in France since 1977 and Konstanz in Germany since 1983. The Richmond in Europe Association works closely with Richmond, Fontainebleau & Konstanz Councils to promote sporting, cultural and educational links and exchanges between the 3 towns & surrounding areas.

The 65th anniversary of the first twinning between Fontainebleau & Konstanz will be celebrated in Richmond from 6th – 8th June 2025.

Konstanz

Konstanz is a university town which enjoys a stunning location on the banks of Lake Constance with the Swiss Alps as a spectacular backdrop.

Harbour & Alps
Man ist auf Anhieb in Konstanz verliebt.

You can see a short film about beautiful Konstanz by clicking on the following link:

A film about Konstanz

Konstanz_Hoernle © Achim Mende_7335
Konstanz from above. The old town lies on the left of the Rhine. The university overlooks the garden island of Mainau on the right. The island of Reichenau can be seen in the background.         Photo: Achim Mende

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau lies south-east of Paris and is famous for its magnificent palace which was home to the French Royal Family for centuries.

L'etang aux carpes
A view of the château from l’etang aux carpes. October 2018

It was later home to Napoleon Bonaparte, who abdicated here in 1814, and Napoleon III.

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REA members hiking in the Fôret de Fontainebleau                October 2018

Fontainebleau is also famous for its extensive forest which has many cycling & nature trails. You can see a beautiful film about Fontainebleau by clicking on the following link.

Film of Fontainebleau

If you would like to learn more about the exciting opportunities which our partnerships with Fontainebleau & Konstanz afford please click on the links at the top of this page.

If you would like to link your group or association with one in Fontainebleau or Konstanz or would like further information about the Richmond in Europe Association please contact Carol Wain on 07580 885145 or write to

richmondineurope@hotmail.com

 

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Lisa Schommer. One of our German members in fancy dress costume for Fasnacht.

 Parlez-vous français?   Können Sie Deutsch sprechen?

If you would like to learn or improve your French or German free of charge please click on Current Partnerships (above).

ARCIF

(Association pour les relations culturelles internationales de Fontainebleau)

ARCIF is responsible for the twinning of Fontainebleau with Richmond. 

Comité de Jumelage
Le Comité de Jumelage (ARCIF) welcoming REA members to Fontainebleau in October 2018

For further information about ARCIF please write to

wenzel.france@orange.fr

You can find out more about Fontainebleau by clicking on the following links.

Fontainebleau Tourist Office website

Fontainebleau Council Twinning Page

Fontainebleau Council Facebook Page

Konstanz

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Toni Langemann

If you have any enquiries about Konstanz please contact Toni Langemann. Toni writes, “Dear Friends in Richmond

I work in the Representation department of the Oberbürgermeister in the city of Konstanz together with my colleague, Slavica Stella & twinning manager, Martin Schröpel. Besides organising all the official events, commemorations & receptions in the city, the support of the five twinnings is a very important part of our work. We have a very close relationship with the Richmond in Europe Association.

You are welcome to contact me with any questions or ideas via

antonie.langemann@konstanz.de

You can find out more about Konstanz by clicking on the following links.

Konstanz Tourist Office website

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The harbour, Konstanz.                                                                            Photo. MTK/Dagmar Schwelle

Konstanz Council website

Konstanz Council Twinning Facebook Page

The stunning beauty of Konstanz was the inspiration for several paintings by J.M.W. Turner including this view from across the Rhine.

konstanzbyturner
Image courtesy of York Museums Trust

Konstanz also provided the beautiful setting for a recent film starring Keira Knightley, who had previously visited Konstanz as a pupil on a school exchange with Richmond.

Keira Knightley with Michael Fassbender in “A Dangerous Method.” This scene was filmed in Seestraße.

Richmond 

With its many royal parks Richmond is known as the green lungs of London, which is only a few minutes away by train. Richmond Park is just one of 200 parks & gardens.

Please click on this link to see a short film about Richmond Park presented by Sir David Attenborough (who lives in Richmond.)

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London seen from Richmond Park

Richmond Bridge is the oldest bridge over the River Thames in Greater London. It was completed in 1777 and is a Grade 1 listed structure.

Richmond Riverside. An oil painting by local artist Gary Jeffrey

The River Thames flows through Richmond for 21 miles, connecting the royal palaces with each other & central London. Most of the riverbank is accessible on both sides to pedestrians & cyclists.

Many artists, such as William Turner, have lived & worked in Richmond. Turner’s House in St. Margarets is open to visitors.

With its infinite beautiful vistas, Richmond continues to attract artists to this day.

The magnificent Hampton Court Palace is only one of the many famous palaces located in Richmond. 

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Hampton Court Palace

To see a video of Richmond please click on the following link.

Video of Richmond

Visit Richmond website

For a guide in German please click on the following link.

Reiseführer Richmond

REA has its own YouTube channel where recent events & a variety of lectures about Richmond’s historic links with the rest of Europe can be viewed. 

REA YouTube channel.

You can also follow our current activities on Instagram

User name:  richmondineurope

Richmond Council

This fingerpost sign, commissioned by the Richmond in Europe Association, stands outside Richmond Town Hall. It was unveiled by the Mayor & Leader of the council on 5th November 2021.

Please click on the following link to access the twinning page of the council website. 

Richmond Council Twinning Information