Dear SHTA Members and Friends,

Michel Lamarre steps down as Mayor of Honfleur

On 18th June 1995 Michel Lamarre was first elected Mayor of Honfleur, Sandwich’s Twin Town. Over 30 years and five successful re-elections later he decided that the time had come to spend more time with his friends and family. Last Friday, 27th March, saw the election of his successor, Nicolas Pubreuil, who won the second round of municipal elections with 52.45% of the vote. 

Pubreuil secured 1,593 votes out of 3,037 cast, beating his opponent, Christophe Perrault who managed 1444 votes, by a margin of 149 votes. This election was part of the nationwide 2026 French municipal elections, which saw various political shifts across the country, including major wins for the left in larger cities like Lyon. It also served as a significant local vote just ahead of the 2027 presidential election cycle. 

Nicolas Pubreuil paid this tribute to Michel Lamarre when he was installed as the new Mayor of Honfleur:

“Michel, tu resteras le maire de cette ville jusqu’à la fin de tes jours. Tu as pris avec courage après trente années d’engagement, la décision de partir mais partir ne signifiait pas pour toi abandonner Honfleur, […] les maires successifs de cette ville sont comme les maillons d’une chaîne, tu ne voulais pas que cette chaîne se brise avec un maillon faible. Ta confiance m’honore, m’engage et m’oblige, je ne te décevrai pas.”

(“Michel, you will remain the mayor of this town until the end of your days. After thirty years of service, you courageously made the decision to step down, but for you, stepping down did not mean abandoning Honfleur. […] The successive mayors of this town are like links in a chain, and you didn’t want that chain to break with a weak link. Your trust honours me, commits me, and I am indebted to you; I will not disappoint you.”)

Above: Nicolas Pubreuil received the mayoral sash from his predecessor, Michel Lamarre.

Michel Lamarre received the Sandwich group at receptions and dinners on visits to Honfleur, one particular occasion being the official opening of the ‘Rue de Sandwich’ in 2019. He also accompanied the Honfleur group to Sandwich, memorably entering into the spirit of the Halloween-themed joint function in 2024 at St Mary’s Arts Centre. Although he will not be as noticeable at numerous events around Honfleur in future, many of you will have the pleasure of meeting him face-to-face when he takes part in this Spring’s Visit to Sandwich by our friends from Honfleur between 14th and 17th May.

Pierre Jan, President of the Honfleur Twinning Association and Archivist of Honfleur, has been heavily involved in the recent elections and also plans for the celebration of the town’s Millennium in 2027. However, he’s also found the time to send an initial list of participants for the visit. The SHTA Committee is now able to start organising hosting which will be finalised once the Honfleur contingent is complete.

During their stay the Honfleur group plans to visit the residence of Winston Churchill at Chartwell near Maidstone on Friday 15th, as well as going to Canterbury to see the Cathedral and the recently re-opened Canterbury Tales on the Saturday 16th. They will, of course, also be getting to know Sandwich even more than they already do by means of some cunningly devised town trails.

April and May SHTA Films at The Empire Cinema:

SHTA’s film for this month will be ‘Renoir’ at The Empire Cinema on Wednesday 15th April. Set in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera in 1915, this 2012 film explores the final, pain-ridden years of Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir as he is rejuvenated by his last model, the vibrant Andrée Heuschling. The plot follows the intersection of art and love when his wounded son, later-to-be filmmaker, Jean Renoir, returns home from the war to convalesce, and falls for Andrée, discovering his own creative calling. The young woman rejuvenates, enchants and inspires both father and son. 

The film was directed by Gilles Bourdos and competed in the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It stars Michel Bouquet, Christa Theret and Vincent Rottiers. ‘Renoir’ achieved critical and commercial success both in France and abroad, most notably in the United States where it is on the Critic’s Pick list of The New York Times. The film was selected as the French entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Oscars.

And you might also be wondering about SHTA’s film for May? Next month we’ll be screening ‘L’Effrontée’, on Wednesday 20th May. The film’s English title is ‘An Impudent Girl’; it is directed by Claude Miller and stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, who won the César Award for Most Promising Actress, and Bernadette Lafont, who won the César Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Feeling insecure, ugly, and worthless, Charlotte drives her father crazy, torments little Lulu, and is generally bored. In a film that explores the first stirrings of adolescence, the shy and self-conscious 15-year-old girl idolises Clara, a pianist her own age. Between rebellion, family squabbles, and extreme modesty, Gainsbourg captivates the screen with her moving shyness, fragility, and sensitivity. It’s already clear she’s a great actress.

The film also won the Louis Delluc Prize and received further César nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay or Adaptation, Best Costume and Best Sound. 

If you’d like to reserve your place for our April and/or May films, please send me an email on stuartpjones100@yahoo.co.uk. Admission to film nights remains at £7.50 per head and priority will be given to members who book in advance. You can pay in advance online to SHTA, sort code: 30-90-09; account number: 42027168; or you can pay by cash or card on the night. The cinema doors open at 7.00 pm.

Our remaining film for 2026 will be:

• Wed. 17th June – ‘Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu’

Are there any other SHTA Events coming up?

• Saturday 13th – Sunday 17th June: Le Weekend in Sandwich. If you’d like to take part in the running of this now-traditional highlight of the Sandwich calendar, please contact event organiser and our Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse on mark.moorhouse@btconnect.com. Furthermore, if you’d be able to help for an hour on the SHTA stall on either the Saturday or the Sunday to promote the Association, please let Christine Ratcliffe know on christine.ratcliffe@outlook.com.

• Thursday 25th June: Bangers & Boules at The Anchor Pub Wingham. Join those who have already signed up for this annual sporting classic, either to participate or spectate.

• Thursday 16th July: Annual General Meeting. Come along to the Jury Room at The Guildhall to have your say and catch up on the round-up of the SHTA year.

As a change to our usual format, Vice-Chair Mark Moorhouse’s contribution completes this month’s newsletter:

“In April the theme in Honfleur is gardening and with Michel Lamarre recently bringing his 31 year tenure as Mayor of Honfleur to a close it is appropriate to focus firstly on Le Jardin du Tripot – a project that he launched in 2013.

The river known as La Claire is a small, historically significant waterway that flows through the heart of Honfleur, in 2013 its banks were transformed from a neglected industrial site into a peaceful public park that blends medieval industrial history with modern artistic design.

This little known 7 mile long river is dwarfed by the neighbouring 483 mile long Rivière Seine but has nevertheless played an important part in Honfleur’s history:

• Late 16th Century : A mill was constructed in the river to grind wheat into flour. Some segments of this old mill machinery are still visible today.
• 19th Century : The area became an industrial centre. Tanneries and dyeworks were established to take advantage of the river network for processing leather and fabric.
• 1950s : The industrial businesses closed down. The alleyway and surrounding structures fell into disuse and eventually became a “neglected” and secluded space.
• 2013 : A major rehabilitation project was launched with municipal teams (gardeners, masons, and carpenters) working to restore the site using recycled materials found on-site to preserve its historical “vestige” appearance.

Le Jardin du Tripot is an invitation to stroll in a haven of peace, in the heart of the historic centre of Honfleur. The 7,000m²  garden includes numerous promontories and viewpoints over the watercourse, which are highlighted to the maximum.

As Michel Lamarre recognised that Honfleur, and the region of Normandy had inspired so many artists, he wanted to put art at the heart of this space in order to give it an additional soul. He commissioned the artist Annick Leroy who created a mosaic fresco recalling the work of the corporation of tanners and dyers.

She also designed two fountain sculptures :

– 4 geese spitting water

– a child with an umbrella

as well as a giant snail covered in mosaic.

Honfleur showcases a passionate, nature-loving culture through annual events such as the ‘Passionnément Jardin’ show in April, held in the Jardin Public, which focuses on gardening. The town features the 10-hectare ‘Jardin des Personnalités’ for leisurely strolling and specialised sites such as the tropical Naturospace, highlighting a deep, varied commitment to horticulture. 

• Passionnément Jardin Show : An annual event held in the public garden during April, dedicated to gardening enthusiasts.
• Jardin des Personnalités(Garden of Personalities) : A 10-hectare park combining botanical interest with busts of famous people linked to Honfleur, such as Claude Monet and Charles Baudelaire.
• Naturospace : A large, tropical butterfly house featuring bougainvilleas, orchids, and other exotic plants, offering a warm, year-round nature escape.
• La Ferme des Cocottes : Located in Saint-Maclou (near Honfleur) is an organic micro-farm specialising in raising “Noiran” black laying hens. This educational farm offers an insight into organic farming and biodiversity, reflecting on the importance of sustainable agriculture in the Normandy region. Visitors have the chance to engage with nature via feeding chickens, petting goats, and purchasing local organic eggs.”

Many thanks to Mark for the above contribution.

That’s all the news for now. Hoping that you’re well and we look forward to seeing you soon. All that remains is to wish you a Very Happy Easter.

Best wishes from Stuart & the Committee