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.
45. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Shaun Fallowes, a volunteer from Age UK, is using an upper body bike in a sponsored gym-based cycle to cover 526 miles - the distance between Wigan and Angers. Pictured with Shaun are Mayor of Wigan Coun Joy Birch, Matthew Hotershall, chairman of Age UK Wigan Borough, and Sylvia Curtis, service manager for Age UK Wigan Borough Photo: Paul Greenwood
46. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Mab's Cross Primary School year five pupils with Gregoire Humeau, the French ambassador from Angers, during a French Day at Mesnes Park Photo: Nick Fairhurst
47. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Council of Europe Flag of Honour presentation to Wigan: Mayor and Mayor's Consort, Coun Myra Whiteside and John Hurst with the Mayor of Angers Frédérique Béatse, and Jim Dobbin MP, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Photo: Nick Fairhurst