France/ In Ploudaniel, a path named “Breizh Elsass” to mark the 50th anniversary of the town twinning
The 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Ploudaniel in Brittany and Fréland in Alsace was celebrated in style on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The event was marked by the unveiling of a new trail in the town center. It chronicles the 50 years of exchanges between the two towns.
“This is the culmination of nearly three years of reflection, research, meetings, and implementation,” admit the project’s creators. And so the Chemin Breizh Elsass was born. A wonderful way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sister city partnership.
The goal is for the celebratory weekend event—attended by a large delegation from Fréland—to leave a lasting impression. It should be something that endures—something everyone can discover today, tomorrow, and for many years to come, emphasize the trail’s creators.
Read the signs by scanning the QR codes
These builders are Jean Michel Corre (longtime president of the twinning committee), Jean Yves Quéré, Joël Marchadour, Roger Torchen, André Le Menn (the current president of the twinning association), and Annick Blonz. They gathered around a table. Through extensive research, the team took the time to listen to people’s memories—some dating back fifty years. These were stories that some had never heard before, experiences shared during various gatherings, with host families, and at celebrations.
“A trail that tells our story”
All of this has helped forge bonds over the years. The Breizh Elsass Trail passes through symbolic locations in the town. It is a trail that tells our story, step by step. The final project is supported by a wealth of documents, photos, and videos, made available by all those who experienced the twinning adventure. A truly remarkable human adventure.
The trail passes through fourteen locations marked by signs, each opening up a range of stories thanks to QR codes along the route. By scanning them, visitors can access photographs, clips from old films, and—most importantly—firsthand accounts of personal experiences. Ultimately, it is the participants’ own voices that best convey what the twinning is all about. This trail, with its two languages and two cultures, is their trail—one to be shared. Along the way, older residents will rediscover a forgotten memory. Younger generations will discover a history they didn’t know. “Our history will only continue to exist if we pass it on,” declare the creators of Breizh Elsass in unison.
Source: www.ouest-france.fr/
