Alexandria’s 3 sister cities: A virtual tour

Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in Scotland or Sweden.

Rue Froide, a narrow street with colorful shop fronts in Caen France

Rue Froide is one of Caen’s oldest streets — now it’s full of bookstores, boutiques, and bistros.

Photo by Rundvald via Wikimedia Commons

Table of Contents

The City of Alexandria’s Sister Cities Committee and the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee promote cultural and educational exchanges across the globe. But where are Alexandria’s three sister cities? Let’s take a trip.

Caen, France

Est. 1990 | This commune on the northwestern coast of Normandy was once home to William the Conqueror. World War II buffs will be interested to learn that Caen played an essential role in D-Day operations when the British 6th Airborne Division secured the nearby bridges. Our relationship with Caen is usually a part of our commemoration of D-Day in Alexandria.

The V&A Dundee, an inverted triangular structure, sits along the water, backdropped by a ship. The museum is photographed at a dramatic angle and the blue sky reflects in the water.

The V&A Dundee is the first Victoria and Albert museum outside London.

Dundee, Scotland

Est. 1993 | Historically, Dundee is known for the three Js: jute, jam, and journalism. The city’s rapid growth during the Industrial Revolution resulted from its jute and marmalade production. Dundee was also home to a publishing company called DC Thompson — you might know it from the Beano comics.

The Sofiero Castle in Helsingborg features a red brick façade with decorative elements, including a clock tower. The structure is set against a clear blue sky, with a few trees visible in the foreground, highlighting its architectural grandeur.

King Gustaf VI Adolf and Queen Margareta often relaxed in the Sofiero Castle.

Photo by Lars Mongs, Arxfoto via Wikimedia Commons

Helsingborg, Sweden

One of the country’s oldest cities, Helsingborg was originally a summer getaway for Swedish royalty. Now, this cultural hub is perfect for pedestrian shopping and sightseeing. Grab your hex key — the city is also home to IKEA’s international corporate headquarters.

Two members of the Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association, dressed in coats and hats, hold Scottish flags and smile.

Visitors from Alexandria meet up with the Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association while they make trips to Scotland.

Photo courtesy of the Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association

How to get involved

You have a few options, depending on which city you’re interested in fostering a relationship with.

  • The city of Alexandria’s Sister Cities Committee is dedicated to the relationship with Dundee and Helsingborg. Interested in joining? There may be an opening.
  • Interested in becoming a member of the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee? See if there’s an opening.
More from NOVAtoday
Explore sustainability workshops across NOVA and learn how you can earn compensation for installing a rain barrel.
Pitbull? Check. Zara Larsson? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Move aside pickleball, there’s a new racket sport in town.
Looking for some last-minute plans this Valentine’s Day? Here are ideas on how you can celebrate around Northern Virginia.
The Blue and Yellow lines will be impacted by various closures throughout the spring. Plan your travel accordingly, as the National Airport stop will be impacted.
While the Washington Commanders are not playing in the Super Bowl this year, there’s still time to reminisce. Learn more about the history of the Commanders in the Super Bowl.
The following projects are scheduled to either begin construction or reach completion later this year. From the Commanders Stadium to road construction, there are many Northern Virginia developments coming this year.
The Kingstowne Community Library will soon close, paving the way for the opening of the new Kingstowne Regional Library at the Franconia Governmental Center.
Give back by helping with the Adopt a Fire Hydrant Program in Fairfax County.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.