When Cowbridge celebrated 25 years of twinning with the French town Clisson in 2016, no one expected that four years on a pandemic would mean the scheduled meet-ups would happen on Zoom, rather than in person.

A medieval town, Clisson lies in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.

Nub News spoke to members of the twinning society in Clisson to find out what life has been like across the channel.

The first Coronavirus case recorded in Pay de la Loire was on 27 February, and on 16 March, a national lockdown commenced. Wales went into lockdown five days later.

Across France, non-food stores, markets, schools, cinemas and places of work closed, with people expected to work or study at home and medical appointments postponed.

Residents also had to complete a certificate to justify the reasons for any outings. They were allowed one hour of walking within the limit of 1km.

"The population was worried and disturbed by the obligation to be cut off from the world," said Alexandra Perrodeau on behalf of the Clisson Twinning Society.

"In some neighbourhoods, people applauded from their windows the hospital staff every evening at 8:00 pm.

"A solidarity was spontaneously set up, particularly to do the shopping for the elderly and frail, and to get news.

"Some small businesses were economically weakened," she said.

The lockdown was first lifted on 16 May and then reinstated on 24 October until 15 December. Since then, there has been a curfew from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am.

"Bars, restaurants, all places of culture, sports are closed, all associative activities are still suspended, Christmas markets were cancelled," said Alexandra.

"Christmas parties were allowed with a recommendation of six adults maximum. New Year's Eve was not recommended and all festivities were cancelled.

"At the end of the first confinement, the Clisson Town Hall gave each household checks worth €30 to spend in the Clisson stores to support them following their closure for several weeks.

"Some stores have set up a click and collect system, including some restaurants that offer take-out meals and we can be tested free of charge," she said.

Cowbridge Town Twinning Association has been meeting with its French counterpart, chaired by Brigitte and Daniel Cavaer, through Zoom to celebrate holidays remotely but together.

Carl Muller, secretary of CTTA, said: "Before Christmas we had an online carol service and then we had a meeting at 11pm for New Year because France is of course an hour ahead. We did a New Year quiz afterwards.

"On Wednesday 6 January we all celebrated La Fete du Rois, which is Twelfth Night or the Celebration of Kings.

"That's usually celebrated with a 'Gallete du Rois', but of course we were online so we couldn't have one," he said.

Instead, they dressed up to perform a play called 'The Trial of Mr Punch', written by Peter Sain ley Berry, a member of the group.

"It was bits of Punch and Judy mixed with Spiral, a French drama," said Carl.

If you're in need of a new programme to get you through lockdown, Carl recommends Spiral: available on BBC iPlayer, it follows a team of detectives taking on the world of organised crime.

On 2 February the groups will meet again to perform a play in celebration of La Chandeleur, or Candlemas, 40 days after Christmas. Then, the group's AGM is scheduled for March.

Cowbridge Town Twinning Association welcomes anyone looking to join.

"The vast majority of members do not speak French, it isn't a necessity at all," said Carl.

"A few of us do, but you don't have to in order to join."

Find out more about Cowbridge Town Twinning Association via their website or Facebook page .