The three towns Northwich and Winsford are twinned with

Three towns are twinned with Northwich or Winsford across the world, meaning they have agreements of cultural exchange, trade, and friendship between the two areas.

These three towns reside in both France and the Republic of Ireland, and contain fascinating historical value beyond their friendship with Cheshire towns.

Dole, France

Dole, a commune in the East of France is twinned with Northwich. The French commune holds a great deal of historical significance, despite a small population of just over 20,000.

Having previously been the capital of a French region called Franche-Comté, Dole was invaded by King Louis XIV, Europe’s longest reigning sovereign, who conquered the commune in 1678.

The university in Dole was considered one of the leading in Western Europe, before King Louis decided to move the University to Besançon and rename it the University of Franche-Comté.

Anyone visiting the commune now will be sure to visit the local church, a beautiful Catholic church built after the former building was destroyed in the invasion.

The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame is a stunning reminder of the historic nature of the commune.

When examining the darker history of the town however, the ‘Werewolf of Dole’ Gilles Garnier is a shocking story – in which a cannibal in the 16th century was burnt at the stake for the crimes of 'witchcraft and lycanthropy'.

As well as Northwich, Dole is also the twin town to a further six cities and towns, across Russia, China, the Czech Republic, and even Carlow, the second town which Northwich is twinned to.

Carlow, Republic of Ireland

Situated in the province of Leinster, Carlow is thousands of years old and pre-dates written Irish history.

According to Carlow Advisor, the town was once the capital of Ireland from 1361 to 1374, with a commanding castle once standing to defend the river running through Carlow.

This castle now lies in ruins however, after attempts to tear it down and replace it with an asylum in the late 19th century.

Nowadays, this scenic countryside town is relevant predominantly for its historical value to Ireland, an award-winning ‘sensory garden’, and for producing famous stars from the film and sports world.

Most notably, multiple Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan grew up in Carlow following her family emigrating back to Ireland from New York.

As well as this, the town also produced Leinster, Ireland, and British and Irish Lions rugby union player Sean O’Brien, who retired from rugby at the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.

As well as Dole and Northwich, Carlow is twinned to a further two towns in the USA, Davenport, Iowa, and Tempe, Arizona.

Deuil-la-Barre

Winsford’s sole twin town is Deuil-la-Barre, a commune in France.

Located just north of Paris, the twinning link between the two towns was established in 1993.

A community twinning group in Winsford exists, ‘the Winsford Twinning Association’, which organise visits to and from both towns.

The town features a lovely local brewery and church, as well as a municipal school of music called ‘The Cornet School’.

Despite it’s close proximity to the metropolitan city of Paris, Deuil-la-Barre remains a predominantly rural charming countryside town.