Paris, January 31 – The City of Light and the Eternal City are marking 70 years of their unique and exclusive twinning this year. Since 1956, Paris and Rome have maintained a special relationship in Europe, encapsulated by the motto: “Solo Parigi è degna di Roma, solo Roma è degna di Parigi” (Only Paris is worthy of Rome, only Rome is worthy of Paris). Both capitals have planned an extensive program of exhibitions, concerts, open-air cinema, illuminations, and popular events throughout 2026, from the banks of the Seine to the banks of the Tiber.
An Exclusive and Unique Love Story
Unlike most major cities that have multiple twinning agreements (New York has 13), Paris and Rome have chosen exclusivity. They are the only capitals in the world to be twinned solely with each other. This bond, established on January 30, 1956, carried significant symbolic weight: ten years after World War II, it embodied reconciliation, culture as a common language, and a shared vision of European heritage. Since then, this twinning has fostered numerous exchanges in artistic, cultural, and scientific fields. Notable collaborations include neuroscience research and reciprocal residencies between Parisian and Roman institutions.
Free Museums for Residents of Both Cities
One of the lesser-known but most appreciated benefits of this twinning is the reciprocal free access to many municipal museums. Parisians can visit numerous Roman municipal museums free of charge upon presentation of proof of residence, including the Capitoline Museums, the Museo di Roma, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Civic Museum of Zoology. Similarly, Romans enjoy free access to temporary exhibitions in museums managed by the City of Paris. This rare privilege reflects the extraordinary nature of their relationship.
Twinning Embedded in Urban Spaces
The twinning is also visible in the urban landscape. In Paris, a bronze she-wolf, a replica of the one in the Capitoline Museums, has stood in Square Samuel-Paty, opposite the Cluny Museum, since 1962. This founding symbol of Rome recalls the legend of Romulus and Remus. In Rome, an entire street, Via Parigi, in the Castro Pretorio district, pays homage to Paris. It features a commemorative plaque and an ancient column topped with a bronze ship, the emblem of the French capital. The French flag was also projected onto the Capitoline Hill in Rome as a symbol of this enduring friendship.
2026: An Exceptional Anniversary Year
2026 is set to be an exceptional anniversary year for the twinning between Paris and Rome. As in previous summers, both capitals will celebrate each other through their mirror festivals: “Dolce Vita-sur-Seine” in Paris and “Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere” in Rome. For five days, cinema, debates, and artistic encounters will foster dialogue between Italian and French cultures. The Parisian edition, scheduled from July 2 to 6, will take on a special dimension with a major cinema festival organized notably at the Arènes de Lutèce, a highlight of the 70th-anniversary celebrations.
However, the festivities are not limited to the summer. Starting in January, Paris and Rome set the tone with an ambitious program, including the illumination of the Hôtel de Ville in the colors of Italy on January 30, the exhibition “Rome, today. Visions of a city in transformation” on the banks of the Seine from January 30 to February 26, a concert by composer Nicola Piovani at the Théâtre de la Ville on February 2, a meeting dedicated to diplomatic relations between the two capitals at the Hôtel de Ville Library on February 5, and the Italissimo festival, from April 7 to 12, dedicated to Italian literature and creation. Throughout the year, other exhibitions and events will enrich this program, displayed on the railings of the Hôtel de Ville and in numerous partner Parisian cultural institutions. The twinning festivities are supported by Barilla, Lavazza, Ferrero, Delonghi, and Amorino.
Seventy years after their twinning, Paris and Rome continue to observe, inspire, and celebrate each other. Two world cities, two capitals shaped by art, history, and beauty, united by a rare promise: that of a permanent dialogue between past and modernity. As their motto reminds us, more relevant than ever: “Only Paris is worthy of Rome, only Rome is worthy of Paris.”
“Paris – Roma: 70 years of twinning”
Exceptional events throughout 2026, in major cultural institutions in Paris.
Source: https://www.pariszigzag.fr/paris-au-quotidien/actualites-paris/paris-rome-jumelage-2026/
