Raleigh honors sister city in France

Raleigh, N.C. — Mayor Charles Meeker on Tuesday marked the beginning of the city's “Year of Compiegne” by rededicating a small park off Hillsborough Street in honor of Raleigh's sister city in France.

Located between Chamberlain Street and Logan Court, Parc Compiegne was first dedicated on Oct. 29, 1999, to mark the 10th anniversary of Compiegne and Raleigh becoming sister cities.

Compiegne, located 50 miles north of Paris in the lush and thickly forested Oise Valley, was the site of the armistice signing to end World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

Along with the park ceremony, Raleigh launched the year-long celebration of Compiegne with the opening of the photo exhibition on the Chateau de Compiegne at the McCain Gallery of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The 12 prints offer views of one of Europe’s most celebrated and historic estates and one of France’s three royal residences.

The exhibition, which is free to the public, is on display through Nov. 28. The photographs will be placed on exhibit later this year elsewhere in Raleigh by the American Friends of the Chateau de Compiegne.

Michele LeChatelier, Compiegne’s vice mayor, and Annick Masseau, the vice president of the French Friends of the Chateau, attended the events.

The “Year of Compiegne” will end on Nov. 11, 2009.