Vélizy-Villacoublay and Dietzenbach Celebrate 50 Years of Twinning
Half a century of Franco-German friendship marked by intense cultural, school, and associative exchanges.
By Nicolas Moreau
••3 min read
AI
Handshake between French and German representatives celebrating 50 years of town twinning.
The towns of Vélizy-Villacoublay and Dietzenbach are celebrating half a century of twinning this year, a relationship established in 1976 and marked by numerous memories and friendships.
The history of this twinning, officially sealed in 1976, dates back to a meeting in January 1975 between the Municipal Council of Vélizy-Villacoublay and Hermann Kocks, then Mayor of Dietzenbach. This understanding quickly led to the initiation of partner events, including student exchanges, shared holidays, associative meetings, and economic relations, with the goal of working towards European reconciliation.
Over the decades, delegations and key figures of this twinning have succeeded one another, driven by the desire to maintain a strong friendly bond. Key moments have marked this history, such as the inauguration of the stele offered by the Germans in April 1985, the celebration of the 25th anniversary in the presence of personalities like Raymond Loisel, Mayor of Vélizy-Villacoublay, and Jürgen Hayer, Mayor of Dietzenbach, or the 40th anniversary marked by a 670 km cycling journey connecting the two towns in May 2016.
The commitment to this twinning has also been reflected in the naming of places. In June 2017, the Jürgen Heyer alley was inaugurated in the Europe district, in the presence of the twinning's architect and the Vélizy delegation led by Pascal Thévenot. More recently, in May 2025, young people from Dietzenbach were welcomed to Vélizy-Villacoublay for another moment of sharing.
Educational institutions play a crucial role in sustaining these ties. The Maryse Bastié and Saint-Exupéry middle schools in Vélizy-Villacoublay continue their work with their German counterparts, Heinrich-Mann and Rudolf-Steiner, fostering meetings and the sharing of experiences among students.
Beyond school exchanges, a fraternal understanding is built through various associative events. Whether during the Martial Arts Festival, with the cycling club, the Music and Dance School, or the Firefighters' Association, every opportunity is taken to strengthen the bonds between the two communities.
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"We met a charming couple, Anne Liese and Siegfried. Our first meeting was 46 years ago and despite the loss of our spouses, we have both remained very good friends, like family. Beyond the exchanges, we have traveled several times to visit cities like Munich, Berlin, Budapest… we also visited historical sites from World War II. This beautiful friendship endures, and I am very happy to continue it."
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"It was very interesting to see the cultural differences between France and Germany, whether in family life or at school. When I was there, I was struck by the freedom they have at school. Then, when they came to France, they were surprised by the restrictions. I remember once, a group of young people wanted to snack on their snacks but they were reprimanded and had to wait for the lunch break. It makes for memories, and I've even kept in touch with twin sisters I've known for several years now."
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"In a world that is changing and becoming enormously internationalized, where changes are gigantic, opening up to the world, and particularly to Europe which is closest to us, is an essential element for understanding and attempting to anticipate the future. At the forefront of our citizens interested in this future are young people and their education, to which exchanges with Germany are essential for building a solidary, peaceful, and clear-sighted Europe. International exchanges also contribute to looking at our town with a little more objectivity, allowing it to understand its present and choose its future. Certain practices or innovations encountered abroad can sometimes be transferable to our daily lives for the benefit of our Vélizy community."
