Austin gets a new sister city

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The friendship between Texas and France is about to get a little tighter, some would even call it familial.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell gave the go-ahead to create Austin's 12th sister city and the first one in France. Ville Franche Sur Mer is a small coastal city, with only a population of 10,000. But, it attracts more than a million tourists each year and that gives the mayor incentive to say 'oui oui.'

"I've always been sort of Francophile, so this is something that has special meaning for me," said Mayor Leffingwell.

The idea originated when city leaders from the coastal city visited the State Legislature during the 2009 session. After meeting Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Austin , an idea emerged about creating a sister city that would be mutually beneficial to residents on both sides of the Atlantic. That idea is now on its way to becoming a reality.

"I think that we have something to develop together," said Ville Franche Sur Mer's Deputy Mayor of Tourism and Culture. "You make link. You make family. You make better relationship."

Ville Franche Sur Mer is progressive in green technology. It is developing gasoline from Algae and is looking to create "green" cruise ships. Cirasa believes the city can work with UT and other Austin researchers to make faster progress.

Also, like Austin, the city is a popular setting for movies.

"Even parts of Disneyland in Paris is based off of Ville Franche Sur Mer," said Cirasa.

The two cities also hope to promote business and tourism for eachother.

"If they're interested in doing some business in Austin, we can help them." said Leffingwell. "And, vice versa."

The relationship certainly comes with some perks for those involved.

"First of all, I'll have to go to France," said Leffingwell. "I'll have to go check it out for myself."

A committee will be set up in both cities with 15 people who will have to travel back and forth to form a relationship and develop ways the cities can help eachother.

The hope is it will open the door for more cross-cultural awareness and a greater understanding of Austin's friends across the world.

"You learn the customs from other countries and it reduces the tensions between different groups of people as well," said Michael Westpheling, a Texan who has homes in both cities and has helped facilitate the relationship. "This sort of thing is usually the sort of thing that makes people go, 'You know, I think I will go on that airplane.' And, that's good for everybody."

Austin's other sister cities:

Adelaide, Australia - since 1983
Koblenz, Germany - since 1991
Porto Alegre, Brazil - since 2002
Lima, Peru - since 1981
Maseru, Lesotho - since 1978
ÅŒita, Japan - since 1990
Saltillo, Mexico - since 1968
Taichung, Republic of China - since 1986
Orlu, Nigeria - since 2000
Gwangmyeong, South Korea
Xishuangbanna, People's Republic of China - since 1997