The official twinning of Wigan and the Loire Valley city took place in 1988, with the arrangement starting informally several years earlier.
We have looked through Wigan Today’s archives for a selection of photographs relating to the twin towns from over the years.
37. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Mayor and Mayoress Coun Sam Little and Nancy Little receive a gift of cointreau from Claude Lucas, president of the twinning association La Poste Angers, with John Byrne, president of Wigan Royal Mail twinning association Photo: Gary Brunskill
38. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
The annual book swap with Angers took place at Abraham Guest High School library. Pictured are Mayor's consort Albert Bradley, Norma Mevel-Pla and the Mayor of Wigan, Coun Joy Birch Photo: Paul Greenwood
39. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
French ambassadress Emanuelle Thomas with blue chocolates from Angers Photo: Gary Brunskill
40. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Wigan Council leader Peter Smith, along with craftsmen Olivier Charron and Arnaud Michel, show off the new sculpture presented to Wigan by Angers to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the towns' twinning, at the Stables at Haigh Hall Photo: Nick Fairhurst