Promoting sporting, cultural and educational links across Europe
Willkommen Bienvenue Welcome
Young delegates & senior decision makers from Richmond, Fontainebleau & Konstanz, plus Lodi in Italy, Tabor in the Czech Republic & Berdychiv in Ukraine in Konstanz in May 2025 for an international twinning conference.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 European towns & their surrounding areas.
The 65th anniversary of the first twinning between Fontainebleau & Konstanz was celebrated in Richmond from 6th – 8th June 2025.
A Konstanzer, Bellefontain, British Scout & a German Doctor living in Richmond led the parade in 2025.
A fingerpost sign outside the Town Hall points the way to our twin towns.
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.
Man ist auf Anhieb in Konstanz verliebt.
Konstanz is very green. It was the first town in Germany to declare a Climate Emergency. People go to work & children cycle to school on the extensive, safe cycle paths.
Sunrise over the pedestrian & cycle bridge which crosses the Rhine in Konstanz. Herrlich!
You can see a short film about beautiful Konstanz by clicking on the following link:
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
The car ferry “Richmond” plies back and forth across the Bodensee between Konstanz & Meersburg. It was christened by the Mayor of Richmond in June 2023.
The FS Richmond can carry 70 vehicles & 700 passengers.
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau lies south-east of Paris and is famous for its magnificent palace which was home to the French Royal Family for centuries.
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.
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.
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 John Nicholson on 0208 979 8379 or write to
richmondineurope@hotmail.com
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 & Konstanz.
Fontainebleau is also twinned with Lodi in Italy & Sintra in Portugal.
Le Comité de Jumelage (ARCIF) welcoming REA members to Fontainebleau in October 2018
For further information about ARCIF please write to
Konstanz is also twinned with Lodi in Italy & Tabor in the Czech Republic. If you have any enquiries about Konstanz please contact Toni Bernhard.
Toni writes, “Dear Friends in Richmond
I work in the Representation department of the Oberbürgermeister in the city of Konstanz together with my 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 Toni with any questions or ideas via
antonie.bernhard@konstanz.de
You can find out more about Konstanz by clicking on the following links.
Konstanz is also twinned with Lodi in Italy & Tabor in the Czech Republic.
The stunning beauty of Konstanz was the inspiration for several paintings by J.M.W. Turner including this view from across the Rhine.
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.
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.
Hampton Court Palace
To see a video of Richmond please click on the following link.
You can also follow our current activities on Instagram
User name: richmondineurope
Richmond Council
York House, Twickenham, is the town hall for the Borough of Richmond. The 17th century house is one of the most impressive town halls in England & the gardens are without equal.
The naked ladies fountain beside the open air stage in the gardens of York House.
York House was the venue for the reaffirmation of Richmond’s partnerships with Fontainebleau & Konstanz in 2025.
The signing followed a parade past York House.
and a picnic in the beautiful garden, to which everyone was invited.
L-R. Council leader, Gareth Roberts, The Deputy Mayor of Fontainebleau, Odile Jacquin, REA Chairman, Alan Mockford, the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr. Penny Frost, the Deputy Mayor, Clare Vollum, their consorts & mace bearer, the Oberbürgermeister of Konstanz, Uli Burchardt, (waving the EU flag), the German Ambassador, Miguel Berger & Cllr. Chris Varley.
To see a short film about York House please click on the following link:
The Richmond in Europe Association 