With Sevenoaks 25 miles from London, and
Pontoise 25
kilometres from Paris, it would seem natural that these two towns would make perfect twins.
The 39-year old relationship that has grown up between them developed originally from
connections within Sevenoaks School and Ecole Saint Martin, has included links between
some of
the churches and has been fostered by the two twinning organisations, Les Amis
de Sevenoaks at the French end and the Friends of Pontoise in Sevenoaks. In November
2001, this friendship was properly cemented, when Pontoise Mayor, Philippe Houillon,
and Keith Loney, the Mayor of Sevenoaks, signed an official Charter in Pontoise, endorsing
the Twinning. This was ratified in May 2002, on English soil, with another
charter-signing ceremony in Sevenoaks
Pontoise is one half of the dual township of Cergy-Pontoise to the north west of Paris. As its name suggests, the town lies at an ancient crossing point over the river Oise.
Around 10Km downstream, the river joins the Seine. In terms
of history, Pontoise is a fascinating place. Mont Belien, which overlooks the river, is
the original site of the town, but the 10th century marked the beginning of gradual growth
that led to a time of prosperity for Pontoise, between the 12th and 14th centuries when
the capetian kings used to enjoy visiting the town. Towards the end of the hundred years
war, and during the wars of religion, Pontoise was frequently besieged and it was during
this time that the numerous vaulted tunnels and catacombs
were constructed within the
calcareous rock that makes up Mont Belien. The castle, which stood within the city walls,
was demolished in the 18th century, but the 12th to 15th century Cathédral Saint-Maclou
and the church of Notre-Dame, rebuilt in 1590, remain, along with much in the way of
medieval architecture. The annual fair, the Foire Saint-Martin, usually in November,
has been held every year since 1170!
Of the 163,000 inhabitants of the conurbation of
Cergy-Pontoise, 30,000 live in the town of Pontoise, making it similar in size to
Sevenoaks. But it was the countryside and rivers of the Oise valley that inspired the
many impressionist painters who came to the area at the end of the 19th century, notably
Camille Pissarro, who made his home in Pontoise.
The Musée Pissarro houses some 300
paintings by the likes of Caillebotte, Daubigny, Daumier, Hayet and Piette, as well as
Pissarro himself. The Musée Tavet has a more comprehensive collection of paintings,
including modern art. As if that wasn't enough, the department is littered with grand
buildings representing archtectural styles going back over 10 centuries. Notable are
the Château d'Ecouen, which houses the Musée National de la Renaissance, the Château
de la Roche-Guyon and the Eglise d'Auvers-sur-Oise, made famous by Van Gogh.
Small wonder then, that the people of Sevenoaks are happy to be twinned with Pontoise. But the town and its history are not the only reason. What makes for the success of this association is the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended by Les Amis de Sevenoaks whenever we, the Friends of Pontoise, visit the town.
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