Twinned since 1987
The link was established a year after the International Ferry Port was established as a way of supporting both Portsmouth and Caen to make the ports a success.
On 5 June 1987 a document was signed in Portsmouth and in Caen on 6 June 1987. This document was rewritten and re-signed by the mayors of both cities in a ceremony in Caen on November 25th 2017.
Many individual links between Portsmouth and Caen have been achieved, particularly in the areas of sport, leisure, tourism and cultural activities, as well as economic issues and business.
The most poignant link the cities share is that of D-day and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth visits Caen annually for their D-day ceremonies. In 2026, Portsmouth school children were invited for the first time to take part in one of the ceremonies held in the city of Caen.