New Milton is twinned with Canteleu in Normandy, France. The two towns are twinned by virtue of the fact that they are both the same distance from a ferry port (Le Havre for Canteleu, Portsmouth for New Milton), they have approximately the same number of residents, and are close to a Forest. The name Canteleu means "cry of the wolf". The original Twinning Charter was signed in 2002 and there have been many reciprocal visits between the two towns.
The Maire of Canteleu - Christophe Bouillion visited New Milton for his first official although very brief visit on 6 May 2006. He and some of the other officials from Canteleu, were invited to a Civic Reception in the Town Hall in New Milton where they met Members of New Milton Town Council, and representatives from the New Milton & District Twinning Association and the Jumelage du Canteleu.
The New Milton & District Twinning Association are very active in promoting visits to Canteleu and members of the Jumelage du Canteleu (Canteleu Twinning Association) are frequent visitors to New Milton.
The Twinning Association can be contacted on:
01425 627970 and the Chairman is Mrs Chris Douglas who would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in Twinning.
In May and June of 2006 the Town Council and New Forest District Council provided a six-week work placement for a student from Canteleu who was studying to become a tri-lingual PA.
Below you can find a link to the official town hall of Canteleu:
