Alzey

Harpenden has enjoyed the link with Alzey in Germany since 1963. Alzey is a small, bustling and picturesque market town 30 miles from Mainz, in the centre of the wine-making region of Rheinhessen. There has been a constant flow of residents travelling between the two towns every year - school exchanges and youth camps, private family parties, sports clubs, artistic and cultural groups, especially choirs and orchestras, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club.

Cosne-sur-Loire

This small French town is the busy centre of an attractive wine-growing district near Sancerre on the River Loire, about 180 km south of Paris. Cosne has many shops and it also supports a very large and lively market twice a week. Sports feature largely at Cosne, especially football and rugby, tennis and judo. There is also a magnificent swimming pool. A beautiful campsite lies beside the Loire, and there are chateaux all around. Private parties have visited in both directions, staying in private homes, although there are several hotels in Cosne. The Friends of Cosne brings together socially anyone interested in Harpenden's French link and organises hospitality for visitors from Cosne.
Visit the Cosne-sur-Loire web site at http://www.mairie-cosnesurloire.fr