It’s the kind of detail that makes passersby smile and attentive walkers raise an eyebrow. In front of the Saint-Mandé town hall, wisely situated in Place Charles-Digeon, stands a classic red British-style telephone booth, as if plucked straight from a London street. But how can we explain this unexpected sight right in the heart of a suburb in the Île-de-France region?
The reason is connected to the twinning of Saint-Mandé with the British town of Newmarket, in England. Like many French cities at the end of the 20th century, these twinning arrangements aimed to foster cultural, educational, and friendly exchanges between European communities.
This “Red Telephone Box" was thus presented to the town of Saint-Mandé, as a gesture celebrating the cultural ties with the United Kingdom. It’s a symbolic gift meant to symbolize international friendship — a popular practice especially towards the end of the 20th century.
Unlike the traditional France Télécom booths of the past, this one was never intended to be fully operational. Instead, it was installed as a decorative and symbolic feature, a nod to this iconic piece of British design.
And now, you understand why you'll find that classic red British phone booth right in the center of Saint-Mandé!
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Location
Saint-Mandé Town Hall
10 Place Charles Digeon
94160 Saint Mande
