Twin town

Our Twin Town, Buis-les-Baronnies, is situated in the region of Drôme provencale which is 60 km northeast of Avignon in the south of France. It is not far from Mont Ventoux and the Rhône Valley. The countryside which is similar to the highlands in Gomadingen was a strategic connection between the Alps and the Rhône Valley. It is said that Hannibal, the general of the Second Punic War, crossed this region with his elephants in order to reach Italy.

As a central place of the Cantons of the Baronnies, the municipality with its 2.200 inhabitants has a good infrastructure such as an open-air swimming pool, camping sites, a hospital as well as a primary and extended elementary school. Numerous shops invite the people to go for a stroll. A multitude of local associations offers extensive leisure time facilities including climbing, Boules, hiking, singing and football. Besides the farming, the economic center of the municipality is the tourism with about 80.000 overnight stays a year.

Wine, apricots and olives are thriving very well in this pleasant landscape. In the summer, the sweetish odor of the lime-blossoms is mixed up with the tangy smell of the lavender. Apart of the Rhône Valley and far away from the densely populated Mediterranean costs, Buis-les-Baronnies is a scenically paradise.

Many visits between the inhabitants at a private level and during trips with associations followed after the first contacts on the part of Buis-les-Baronnies in February 1995.A lot of contacts and friendships in all areas were made in a short time.On May 14, 1999 and on June 3, 2000 the Mayor of Buis-les-Baronnies, Jean-Pierre Buix, and the Mayor of Gomadingen, Klemens Betz, have already signed the official documents regarding the partnership.

The aim of that partnership is to challenge the international understanding and the exchange in the cultural, social, sporting and private sector.In May 2009, the decennial celebration of the two municipalities took place in Buis-les-Baronnies. During three days the twin town was appreciated with different festivities. In Gomadingen, the celebration to the anniversary of 10 years was held in May 2010. In honour of our French friends a varied program was drawn up.