Longué / France

22 years of history connect Sinsheim with its partner city in western France, Longué. A letter from the German teacher Beatrice Beck, who was looking for a school and city partnership, got things rolling in December 1974. In March of 1975, the first French students were already arriving in Sinsheim as guests at the Kraichgau Junior High School.

On 15 October 1976, the city partnership was sealed in the newly inaugurated town hall in Sinsheim. 1000 citizens rose as Mayor Robert Châtel and Lord Mayor Helmut Gmelin signed the certificate.

The lead up to the 20-year anniversary, celebrated in May 1996 with 181 French guests, was met with numerous encounters and the participation of many Sinsheim associations and groups, such as the Gardening Club, the Sport Club, the Fire Department, the Wind Instrument Association, the Chamber Choir, the SCC, the Gymnastics Club, the Musical Society, the Boy Scouts, the Vocal Ensemble, church choir, and not to forget the youth of Sinsheim. The exchange between the schools in Sinsheim and Longué has developed into one of the pillars of the partnership. This led to the formation of Franco-German honor clubs.

The Longué Committee was founded on 2 March 1977, initially under the leadership of Ruth Dietrich and now, since 23 November 1979, Otfried Ischen. Even today, the committee’s work forms an important basis of the partnership. When the certificate was signed on 16 June 1977 in Longué, the two mayors planted a young fir tree from Sinsheim as an expression of lasting friendship.

Bus was not the only way that people were traveling to or from Longué.  Alain Goarin pedaled his bicycle from Longué to Sinsheim in September 1977, and, in May 1997, a group rode into Longué from Sinsheim for the 20th anniversary celebration of the friendship.

Today, as a symbol of the connection, a Place de Gmelin can be found in Longué as well as a Longué Street in Sinsheim.

In May 1995, a small delegation traveled to Longué in order to bid farewell to the deceased Mayor of the City of Lunugé (1971-1977) and co-founder of the city partnership, Robert Châtel.

The 20-year anniversary celebration was celebrated in Sinsheim in 1996 and in Longué in 1997.

Longué, in numbers

Location: Western France, along the Louire River in the Region of Anjou (distance to Saumur 5 km; Angers 45 km)

Population: approx. 7,500

Economy:

• Mainly rural
• Market gardening
• Medium-sized industry
• Sports and hobbies: Football Club, Basketball, Tennis, Athletic Club, Boule de fort, Chorale Arpèges, Cycling, Volleyball, etc.