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.
25. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Former Byrchall High School pupil Clare Littler was the borough's latest ambassador to French twin town Angers Photo: Submitted
26. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Anne Louvigny, ambassador from French twin town Angers Photo: Submitted
27. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Mayor Coun Brian Jarvis and members of Wigan Wheelers Cycling Club welcome members of Les Randonneurs Cyclos de L'Anjou, who have cycled 1,000km from twin town Angers, and Gilles Mahe, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Quality of Life, who headed a delegation of councillors to Wigan. Anne Louvigny, ambassadress for Angers, centre, models a cycling shirt which was presented to the Mayor by the French visitors Photo: Nick Fairhurst
28. A look back over the years since Wigan was twinned with French town Angers
Visitors from Angers paid a visit to Ince CE Primary School to watch a play Photo: Paul Greenwood