The city of Crestview is once again celebrating its international partnership with Noirmoutier, France, as 27 members of its Sister City delegation arrived after a delayed journey. The group, including 20 students, six adults, and one child, was welcomed late Saturday night at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport after a lengthy trip delayed due to aircraft mechanical issues.

Despite the fatigue from nearly 25 hours of travel, the delegation’s spirits soared as they were greeted with loud cheers and homemade signs from their Crestview High School hosts. The energetic welcome featured waving French flags and excited students awaiting the arrival of their new French friends, many of whom they had already connected with through social media.

“We are here!” declared Gérard Moreau, the treasurer of Noirmoutier’s Comité de Jumelage (Sister City Committee), as the group stepped into the airport terminal.

The delegation’s visit is part of the ongoing cultural exchange between Crestview and Noirmoutier, which has been building ties through Sister Cities International for 29 years. This year’s exchange is especially significant as it marks the continuation of in-person visits after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Warm Welcome to Crestview

The first event on the delegation’s packed itinerary was a welcome cookout hosted by Crestview Mayor JB Whitten at the McMahon Environmental Center. The French visitors enjoyed a quintessentially American meal of hamburgers and hot dogs while mingling with Crestview firefighters and exploring one of the city’s fire engines. Later in the afternoon, the group visited Beasley Park in Fort Walton Beach, where they experienced the sugar-white sand of the Emerald Coast for the first time.

“I love Crestview!” said Romaine Corbrejaud, a returning visitor from Noirmoutier who has traveled to Crestview several times since he was eight years old. “The energy here is fantastic, and it’s wonderful to be back.”

For many Crestview students hosting their French peers, this exchange marks their first time interacting with someone from another country. Paul Richard, a Crestview High School student, is hosting Jules Bugeon and looks forward to visiting Noirmoutier.

“It’s a fun experience to meet someone new and share our cultures,” Richard said. “I’m excited to see how France is different from the U.S. and visit Jules’ home.”

An Immersive Cultural Experience

During their two-week stay, the French students will shadow their Crestview High School hosts for three days, offering them a glimpse of American high school life. The rest of their visit is packed with various activities designed to showcase the region’s culture and natural beauty.

Highlights of the visit include trips to the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, the Nixon Farms corn maze, and a shopping day at the Silver Sands Outlet Mall. The students will also picnic at Blue Water Lake, visit the Emerald Coast Zoo, and try their hand at racing RC cars at the B&T Race Track. For a more unique American experience, the group will ride horses at Old Warrior Ranch and enjoy a martial arts demonstration at Gordon Martial Arts.

Meanwhile, the French adults in the delegation will enjoy a mix of local dining and cultural events. They will have a private dinner with their Crestview hosts at Hill Monkeys Thai Restaurant, attend a Gallery Night and Wine Gala at The Exchange, and be honored at a luncheon hosted by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board at the Crestview History Museum. To top off the trip, they will learn how to make tacos at a Sunday brunch hosted by one of the local families.

“The goal of this program is to immerse in each other’s cultures while building lasting friendships,” explained Brian Hughes, president of Crestview’s Sister City Program. “When we visit Noirmoutier, we stay in our friends’ homes, eat what they eat, and see their favorite places. When they come here, we offer them the same experience.”

A Longstanding International Partnership

Crestview’s Sister City relationship with Noirmoutier began in 1995 under Sister Cities International, a program that fosters connections between cities across the globe. Over the past 29 years, the two cities have participated in regular exchanges involving students, cultural groups, and officials, building a bridge between Florida’s Panhandle and France’s Atlantic coast.

The relationship has earned recognition on a national level. In 2021, Crestview’s Sister City Program was awarded the prestigious “Best Overall Program” by Sister Cities International, an honor recognizing its efforts to foster cultural, educational, and social ties.

This year’s delegation is part of a series of exchanges in 2024, including a performance tour by the Crestview High School chorus in Noirmoutier in March and a June visit commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, which has deep historical ties to both the U.S. and France.

“Our program is about building bridges of understanding and friendship,” Hughes said. “It’s these connections that make the world smaller and our lives richer.”

With the 27 Noirmoutrins now settled in with their hosts, the coming weeks promise to be filled with memorable experiences and strengthened friendships. As the cultural exchange continues, the bonds between Crestview and Noirmoutier are set to grow even deeper.

For more information on Crestview’s Sister City Program, residents can call 850.398.5459 or email hughesb@cityofcrestview.org.