France/Twinning schemes between Marne and Italian towns

A place, an event or a famous person, Grégory Duchatel tells you about the "Treasures of Champagne-Ardenne".

The twinning between Reims and Florence dates back to 1969, a partnership that unites these two great cities, one symbolizing the art and history of the Renaissance, the other the refinement of champagne. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is not only a world-renowned cultural cradle, but also a must-see destination for art and heritage enthusiasts.

Florence, a jewel of the Renaissance

Florence, with over 350,000 inhabitants, is Italy's 8th largest city. The city's emblematic monuments include the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, its impressive dome the city's landmark. The Palazzo Vecchio, a Renaissance fortress, still houses the town hall. The Ponte Vecchio, a 14th-century medieval bridge, crosses the Arno and links the two banks of the city, while the Palazzo Pitti, former home of the Médicis, and the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's most visited museums, bear witness to the grandeur of the period.

A city of living heritage

Florence attracts millions of visitors every year, fascinated by the art of Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. But the city offers much more than art: its refined cuisine, exceptional wines and unique atmosphere make every visit an immersion in Italy's living history. Strolling through its picturesque streets, strolling through its lively squares or enjoying a gelato, an artisanal ice cream, is to experience a journey back in time to the heart of one of Italy's most beautiful cities.

Twinning with the Marne

Beyond Reims, other communes in the Marne share strong links with Italian towns. Montespertoli, south of Florence, famous for its Chianti wine, is twinned with Épernay, the capital of Champagne. Aÿ-Champagne, famous for its vineyards, has a relationship with Sinalunga, a small Tuscan town west of Siena. Further north, Saint-Memmie is twinned with Chiesina Uzzanese, located between Florence and Pisa, and Fismes is linked with Triuggio, a Lombard commune near Milan. The small Veneto town of Arre is twinned with Warmeriville. Félino, near Parma in Emilia Romagna, is twinned with Cumières, another village in the Marne region. And let's not forget Magenta, west of Milan, twinned with Magenta, near Epernay.

These twinnings are an opportunity to strengthen cultural, tourist and economic exchanges between these Italian regions and the Marne, promoting the mutual discovery of a rich and varied heritage.

Source: www.francebleu.fr/