Historic Triangle Francophiles

Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between American and international communities. More than 2,000 of these alliances have been chartered worldwide. In the Williamsburg area, only Yorktown is a member of the network. Since 1990 it has been twinned with the little Mediterranean village of Port-Vendres in southeastern France. 

Port-Vendres was chosen for several reasons. French weapons were shipped from there to our country during the American Revolution. The revolt ended with the British surrender after the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. French assistance was crucial in winning that battle and the war.

A monument in Port-Vendres honors American independence. It's the only one of its kind in France. In Yorktown, a similar monument honors the significant French contribution to our struggle for independence.

Yorktown and its twin share other details. Both are small coastal villages situated in strategic port locations with maritime industries, beautiful waterfronts, outdoor markets, renowned artists and warm, friendly people. Last year, residents of the two villages celebrated their 20-year alliance and reaffirmed their partnership, and 13 York residents visited Port-Vendres Sept. 15-20.

The delegation's tour included visits to local vineyards, a winery, and a Majorcan castle. They also visited a national park reclaimed from an abandoned dynamite factory owned by the Nobel family and the local middle school, where e-mail exchanges between York students and those of Port-Vendres were established.

The official day of celebration, Sept. 19, was distinguished by a special Catholic church service, a parade, a wreath-laying ceremony at the obelisk honoring American independence, speeches given by representatives of both communities, a proclamation of congratulations on behalf of the York Board of Supervisors, and a classical music concert.

Don Willis, chairman of the 20th Anniversary Committee, said when he returned from France, “I think the thing that really stood out and drove home the importance of this relationship was the reception we received the final day by the whole town. We all felt like conquering heroes as we paraded through town to applause, not only from people lining the streets but also from those looking out windows and sitting on rooftops...It was a very heartwarming, humbling experience.”

The citizen exchange reversed the next month, when eight Port-Vendres residents visited York County Oct. 17-21. They received a welcome presentation given by the York County Board of Supervisors' chairman Don Wiggins. Their visit centered around Yorktown Day festivities on the 19th that commemorated the British surrender in 1781. The guests took part in a parade to the Monument to Alliance and Victory and a wreath-laying ceremony. Later, they dined with locals at a Brunswick stew luncheon. 

The Port-Vendres delegation's tour included visits to Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, the Williamsburg Winery, Anheuser Busch, the Chrysler Museum of Art and Fort Monroe, which was built according to French blueprints. The anniversary celebration concluded on Oct. 20 with a dinner at Riverwalk Restaurant. 

Sister Cities Yorktown provides a social structure so those who admire French culture can network and participate in various events, such as citizen exchanges, Bastille Day French dinners, French cooking classes, and wine and champagne tastings, among others.

The organization is funded by contributions. No government funding is received. Annual membership dues are $25 for individuals, $40 for families. [Outdated information has been deleted. Donations are appreciated and may be sent to Debra Paulus, PO Box 735, Yorktown, VA 23692. Don Willis is Acting President of Sister Cities Yorktown. Email him at staff@sistercities yorktown.org.]

This essay was published in The Virginia Gazette on July 27, 2011. At the time, Rick Rodington was the founder and President of the Williamsburg French Club. Shirley Estes was President of Sister Cities Yorktown. 

Historic Triangle Francophiles was created by site owner and webmaster Rick Rodington on August 30, 2021. It was converted from the Williamsburg French Club website, then reconstructed and redesigned. It was renamed and published on October 1, 2021. (Rodington created the French club site in April 2011, two months after establishing the former club.)