We are proud of our French and German links. Twinning became popular following the Second World War and was encouraged as a means of redeveloping links with other countries and communities.
The process was encouraged to break down barriers and prejudices between nations with the aim that this could help prevent another global conflict.
Lichfield city was twinned with both Limburg an der Lahn in Germany and Sainte Foy les Lyon in France in 1992.
Limburg an der Lahn and Sainte Foy les Lyon were themselves twinned back in the late 1960's.
The three cities twinned together is known as a ring twinning.
Further information on twinning and the cities twinned with Lichfield can be found on the Lichfield City Council website.
Limburg an der Lahn
Is an historic town, some 35 miles north of Frankfurt and close to the Rhine valley. It boasts a fine ancient cathedral, and the congregations of the cathedrals of Lichfield and Limburg maintain close links.
The Altstadt (old town) area of Limburg is full of narrow streets with half-timbered houses, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. When you tire of historic sites, there are shops, department stores and markets galore in Limburg's town centre, together with cultural facilities.
Sainte Foy les Lyon
Is slightly smaller than both Lichfield and Limburg. It is only three miles from the centre of Lyon, (the second city of France) but is a community in its own right. The town grew as a haven from the industry of Lyon, as it is set high above the city, and there are some wonderful panoramas of Lyon and the surrounding area, notably from a park known as the 'Esplanade de Lichfield".
Lyon is said to be the city of three rivers - the Rhone and Saone rivers which converge there- and the Beaujolais! Sainte Foy's finest historic asset is remains of a Roman aqueduct and there is a fine seminary, steep narrow walled streets, parks and gardens, and squares in the town centre.