Thaxted has been twinned to the French town of Saint-Vrain, just south of Paris, for over 25 years now! The Twinning Association ‘exists to promote friendship and cultural understanding and to foster an ongoing relationship with Saint-Vrain and its people’.

Our French Twinning Families from St. Vrain Jumelage will be visiting us once again Thurs 29 May – Sunday 1 June 2025. We are looking for New Members & Host Families in Thaxted and Surrounding Areas who would like to join us and take part in our Exchange Visits. (N.B.  New Host Families will be given FREE MEMBERSHIP this year AND CAN TAKE PART  in our return visit to St.Vrain 2026.) These short stays are for 4 days and normally at end May. It will be Thaxted Twinning’s turn to return to St. Vrain in 2026. The only cost involved for adults is the return journey by Euro Star or members can make their own travel arrangements. Members’ Children travel Free with us on Euro Star.

We hold Quizzes, Dinners, BBQ’s, Free French Lesson Evenings, Boot Sales, Children’s Competitions, Antique Valuation Days throughout the year to entertain our members and help raise funds and awareness so that we can entertain our French Twinning friends. During these visits we hold social get-togethers and meals, trips out to see the surrounding area and visit historic places & fun places for younger members.  Many of our members make private visits to France and stay with the friends they have made through twinning. There is also a good deal of regular contact by emails, WhatsApp, Zoom etc.

In fact, the Twinning Association is perfect for families to get involved in. It is not necessary to speak French, however, it is a brilliant chance to have a go or improve!

VISIT FROM OUR FRENCH FAMILIES FROM ST.VRAIN – Thurs 29^th May – Sunday 1^st June 2025

Here is a basic idea of the format – a detailed itinerary will be given on Arrival.

New Host Families will be given FREE MEMBERSHIP this year AND CAN TAKE PART  in our return visit to St.Vrain 2026. There will be a small fee for joining in 2026. Members of TTA will also be happy to help entertain your new guests and invite them to meals and provide transport if you are busy!

Thursday 29 May:  Arrival by coach at approx. 1700 – Guildhall Thaxted. Guests & Host Families have a Meet & Greet Reception with Prosecco + Nibbles. Duration 1 – 2 hrs. Guests return with Host Families for evening meal/chats/bed.

Friday 30^th May:  French Guests are taken by Twinning Association for a day out.  Host Families simply drop them off at place and time to be advised. An excursion & a  3 Course meal is provided by TTA in an excellent venue.  French Guests return to Thaxted late afternoon to be collected by Host Families. A light evening meal/chats/bed!

Saturday 31^st May:  Free Day for Hosts & Guests to spend time together. This could be visiting a local town, shopping centre or going further afield, e.g. Cambridge.  Saturday Evening Hosts & Guests attend an Evening Entertainment in Radwinter Pavilion with meal/drinks provided again by TTA. There will of course be music & dancing!

Sunday 1^st June: Hosts return their Guests to Coach in Thaxted – normally about 8 am. To be confirmed.

The above is just a guideline. Next year when Thaxted Twinning members return to visit our friends in St. Vrain, there is a similar format. English Guests simply pay for their travel which can be in a group organised by TTA (Euro Star) or travel independently. Children of members travel free on Eurostar.

WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU – SEE OUR CONTACT DETAILS BELOW – KINDEST REGARDS Thaxted Twinning Association