Chaville, France  
The London Borough of Barnet's Twin Town

In May 1959, Chaville was first twinned with the former Friern Barnet Urban District Council. Twinning was encouraged by the government in the 1950s to revive community spirit in Europe and the link with Chaville was probably a result of this initiative. In 1964, when the London Borough of Barnet was created, it took over the town-twinning.  

Chaville is an attractive and culturally active town between Paris and Versailles. It has a rich history, being on ‘La Route Royale’, used by French kings and nobility travelling between the capital and the magnificent chateau at Versailles. Chaville is set in a valley bordered by extensive and very attractive forests on both sides. It also has excellent transport links to the centre of Paris.

Although Chaville is much smaller than Barnet in terms of area and population, there are obvious similarities as both areas lie on the outskirts of the capital, with easy access to places to visit both in the city and also in the surrounding area.

There are many educational and cultural links between Barnet and Chaville that have developed over the years and that are encouraged through the activities arranged by the Friends of Chaville. These include weekend visits to Chaville and return visits to Barnet, school trips and individual pupil or student exchanges. There have also been sporting and cultural visits which have included swimming, tennis, table-tennis, petanque and choir exchanges.

Through these exchange visits many of us here in Barnet have made lasting friendships with people in Chaville.

All those who are interested in making French friends, enjoying French food, learning or practising some French and discovering French culture and sharing our own are very welcome to join The Friends of Chaville.

The annual quiz supper on Saturday 16 February 2019, our main fund-raising event, was a huge hit, with 130 people enjoying the delicious food and agonising over the tricky questions put to us by Chelle. Well done team!

Contacts

Friends of Chaville contacts:

Chair: Irene Nichols, Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8440 1366

Membership/Joint secretary: Penny Telfer, Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8440 9096

If you want to join the Friends of Chaville, please contact Penny Telfer.