​Norfolk & Norwich Rouen Friendship Association
NNRFA was set up in 1990 and its counterpart in Rouen is the Rouen-Norwich-Club. Both are part of the twinning that was formalised by the two cities in 1959. The aims are to promote friendship and links by setting up exchanges between groups and individuals with similar interests: sports, artists, archaeologists, clinicians, musicians and youth are some successful examples. On the gallery page you can see cuttings from the Eastern Daily Press showing the enthusiasm for twinning between the cities that have existed since the 1950s!

Both associations arrange four-day visits in alternate years to the other city and many long-term friendships have developed. We try to organise visits to coincide with a festival of which there are many in Rouen. A visit includes excursions like the stone quarries of Caen, Monet's garden at Giverny, Honfleur and a brewery with links to a brewhouse in Norfolk. Visits of course include opportunities to meet members of the other association. 

Many people visit France but twinning exchanges offer new perspectives and a very different experience. Over 60 years Norwich and Rouen links have been built up on the goodwill and enthusiasm of many people in both cities. If you're in a group that is interested in an exchange with a similar group in Rouen, get in touch and we will try to find a contact for you. If you'd like to visit Rouen with us, why not join NNRFA - see form on the contact page.  You can of course explore Rouen yourself - keep up to date with events there on the city's Facebook page.
Councillor Martin Schmierer, Lord Mayor of Norwich 2018/2019 writes:
As a city, Norwich can be very proud of the links it has forged with Rouen, Koblenz, Novi Sad, and El Viejo in Nicaragua. The idea of sharing ideas and friendships between nations is as necessary now as it has ever been. Building bridges between countries to foster mutual understanding between peoples from different countries is of vital importance, especially given the current turmoil that Britain finds herself in.
There is currently a plethora of discussions on Britain's future relationship with the rest of Europe. Regardless of your views, I think we can all agree that creating a world that is at peace has to be a priority. The fundamental goals of the twinning associations, as far as I am concerned, are forging mutual understanding and promoting peace between peoples and countries. With all the dangerous rhetoric of nationalism and isolationism across the world, the need for twinning associations cannot be overstated - they are as needed now as they have ever been!