Francophile Totnesians are being invited to join the Totnes–Vire Twinning Association.

It offers friendship, community, travel, culture and above all fun.

It is about so much more than having a connection with the beautiful twin town in Normandy.

It’s about bringing people together — building friendships and a sense of community here in Totnes, while creating lasting connections with people across the Channel in Vire.

Throughout the year there are opportunities to get involved in social events, visits, exchanges and activities, both here in the UK and over in France.

Some are culturally rich, some educational, some offer the chance to discover somewhere new and many are simply great fun!

Whether you love France, enjoy travelling, want to meet new people, are interested in different cultures or would simply like to become more involved in your local community the association would like to welcome you.

Vire is nestled in the rolling green hills of the Bocage Normand, halfway between Caen and Mont-Saint-Michel.

It is part of the new commune of Vire Normandie.

The town features a railway station with direct connections to Paris, Granville, and Argentan.

The main attractions include a striking medieval clock tower, the Donjon de Vire (Vire Keep) the 12th-century ruins of a clifftop castle built by Henry I of England, overlooking the River Vire.

There is also the Lac de la Dathée, a nearby scenic lake offering water sports, walking trails, and an 18-hole golf course.

The Viaduc de la Souleuvre is a nearby former railway viaduct transformed into an outdoor adventure hub for bungee jumping and zip-lining.

Much of its surroundings consist of the bocagevirois, a type of mixed woodland and pasture common in Normandy.

Vire suffered heavily from British bombings on June 6, 1944, or D-Day when 95 per cent of the town was destroyed.

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