On Friday the 17th January 2025 after we had travelled down to Folkestone and stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn we made our way to the LeShuttle and as we were a little earlier put onto a train half an hour early.
I was apprehensive about driving in France, but the motorways here are so much easier to drive on and driving on the right didn't seem to be an issue.
We arrived in Calais and we were quickly out onto the motorway and heading to our first stop on our French Roadtrip to Rouen.
After about 2 and a half hours we arrived at our hotel Kyriad Rouen Sud. We weren't able to book into the room yet, but was given a key and told to come back later.
We walked outside and just missed the 33 bus into the city, and the next wasn't for another hour. So we decided to walk into the city.
We walked alongside the busy road, and after a bit of confusion which way to go we were eventually walking over the Pont Pierre Corneille with our view into the city.
Rouen is a city on the River Seine, in North western France. Formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, the population of the metropolitan area is 702,945 (2018). People from Rouen are known as Rouennais.
Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy during the Middle Ages. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman and Angevin dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. From the 13th century onwards, the city experienced a remarkable economic boom, thanks in particular to the development of textile factories and river trade. Claimed by both the French and the English during the Hundred Years' War , it was on its soil that Joan of Arc was tried and burned alive on 30 May 1431. Severely damaged by the wave of bombing in 1944 , it nevertheless renewed its economic dynamism in the post-war period thanks to its industrial sites and its large seaport, which merged with the ports of Le Havre and Paris in 2021 to form the HAROPA Port.
We walk to the Rouen Cathedral.
Rouen Cathedral is a Catholic church in Rouen, Normandy, France. It is the see of the Archbishop of Rouen, Primate of Normandy. It is famous for its three towers, each in a different style. The cathedral, built and rebuilt over a period of more than eight hundred years, has features from Early Gothic to late Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture. It also has a place in art history as the subject of a series of impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, and in architecture history as from 1876 to 1880, it was the tallest building in the world
On taking this photo the Frenchman walked over to chat and on discovering we were from London, went onto talking about his 3 visits to London and how he got to see the Queen driving pass Buckingham Palace. He was very chatty and friendly.
Christianity was established in Rouen in about 260 by Saint Mellonius, who became the first bishop. The first church is believed to have been under or close to the present cathedral. In 395, a large basilica with three naves was built at the same site. In 755, the archbishop Rémy, the son of the Frankish statesman and military leader Charles Martel, established the first Chapter of the cathedral and constructed several courtyards and buildings around the church, including a palace for the archbishop.
The cathedral was enlarged by St. Ouen in 650, and visited by Charlemagne in 769. However, beginning in 841, a series of Viking raids seriously damaged the cathedral complex.
The Viking leader Rollo became first Duke of the Duchy of Normandy and was baptised in the Carolingian cathedral in 915 and buried there in 933. His grandson, Richard I of Normandy, further enlarged it in 950.
In the 1020s, the archbishop Robert began to rebuild the church in the Romanesque style, beginning with a new choir, crypt and ambulatory, and then a new transept. The Romanesque cathedral was consecrated by the archbishop Maurille on October 1, 1063, in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy, soon to become William the Conqueror after his conquest of England in 1066.
The west front of the Cathedral, with its three portals, is the traditional entrance to the Cathedral. The portals are aligned with the three aisles of the nave. The west front was first built in the 12th century, entirely redone in the 13th century, and then totally redone again at the end of the 14th century, each time become more lavishly decorated.
The main, or central portal, was originally dedicated to St. Romain in the 12th century, but was rededicated to the Virgin Mary when the facade was remade on a grander scale at the beginning of the 14th century. The central sculptural element of the tympanum, or arch over the portal, is a Tree of Jesse, a traditional depiction of the family tree of Christ. At the top is the Virgin Mary, with a halo of sun and stars. The arches above the tympanum of the portal are filled with sculpture of prophets, sibyls, or fortune-tellers, and patriarchs.
The portals on either side of the central portal followed the same format, with sculpture in the tympanum vividly illustrating Biblical stories. The central portal, facing the building, is dedicated to John the Evangelist, and the sculpture in the tympanum above illustrates the baptism of Christ, the passage of Saint John; the dance of Salome; the feast of Herod; and the beheading of John the Baptist. The portal to the right is devoted to Saint Stephen, and its sculpture illustrates the gathering of souls, Christ in majesty, and the stoning of Stephen. The portal to the Traces of pigment and gilding on the sculpture indicate that all the sculpture was originally brightly coloured.
Sadly the cathedral wasn't open for visits, seems a lot won't be as its Winter.
On 11 July 2024, the central spire of the cathedral caught fire during renovation works. The fire was brought under control the same day by a team of some 70 firefighters and 40 fire engines.
 |
| The fire damaged spire under repair. |
We walked around the Cathedral and down Rue Saint Romain and down pass some shops.
The street is named after Saint Romain, Archbishop of Rouen in the 7th century.
We pass the expensive Dame Cakes, the French really do make the best cakes and pastries!
Here on Rue Saint Romian is another entrance to the Cathedral (also closed!)
There are a lot of interesting side passages off the main street asking to be explored, but we remain on the street and walk on.
At the end of the Street is the St. Maclou Catholic Church.
We cross the Rue De La Republique and onto Place Barthelemy and onto the church.
The Church of Saint-Maclou, is a Roman Catholic church in Rouen, France, named after the Saint Malo, which is considered one of the best examples of the Flamboyant style of Gothic architecture in France. Saint-Maclou, along with Rouen Cathedral, the Palais de Justice (also Flamboyant), and the Church of St. Ouen, form a famous ensemble of significant Gothic buildings in Rouen. Its spire reaches a height of 83 meters.
Construction on Saint-Maclou began sometime after 1435; it was to replace an existing Romanesque parish church that had suffered from several years of neglect resulting in a collapsed transept roof. In its place, master mason Pierre Robin created a basilica style church with four radiating chapels around an octagonal choir. The decoration of the church is macabre, beckoning back to the church's grim past rooted in the Black Death pandemic. The transept is non-projecting complete with piers that support the above lantern tower. The choir is rather large in size for the structure and has two bays and four radiating chapels that branch off from the ambulatory. Overall, the plan places its emphasis on the transept which is midway between the choir and the nave which also includes three bays. In addition, the church itself is seen to have an emphasis of verticality and unity. Saint-Maclou has the classic three-story elevation of an arcade, triforium, and clerestory. The famous western facade is towerless with five gabled porches with flying buttresses above the aisles that are attached to the western wall featuring a rose window.
The Church of Saint Maclou was built during the transition from the late Gothic period (15th - 16th century) to the Renaissance in the 16th century. The space above a portal within the arch is referred to as the tympanum. Typically, the tympanum is filled with sculpture of a scene alluding to Heaven and Hell. The tympanum of the main entrance of the Church of Saint Maclou displays Christ standing with his hands held out to people surrounding him, those to his right heading for Heaven and those to his left heading for the fiery pits of Hell. This message, commonly depicted during the Gothic period, was designed to scare and evoke emotion from the public. The architectural plan of the church of Saint-Maclou includes radiating chapels. Saint-Maclou, like most Gothic churches, had many exterior stone statues; however, they suffered much of the French wars of religion, weather conditions, and pollution. Most inside statues disappeared during the French Revolution. Nevertheless, the chapels inside had kept their wooden furniture and decorations made in the 18th century, but most of them were destroyed during the allied bombings in 1944. The church was partly damaged by the falling of two bombs. Concerning the Renaissance outside doors with their carvings and the Renaissance organ, they escaped destruction both during the French revolution and the Second World War. In addition, the interior of the Church of Saint-Maclou includes decorations such as stained-glass windows and presents craftsmanship through carvings and sculptural work. A Gothic staircase can also be seen. All of which show off the church's Medieval and Gothic architectural styles. The interior appeals to the idea of maximizing light through the grand arched windows towards the ceiling of the church, light-coloured paint on the walls and ceiling, as well as the lantern tower which offers more light to the interior of the church.
The patrons of Saint-Maclou were of the wealthy merchant class that had experienced an immense social and economic growth during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The family most closely associated with the rebuilding of the church was the Dufour family. The patrons were responsible for the selection of the master mason, Pierre Robin, as well as for part of the overall style of the church. The Dufours and others are cited as being the impetus behind the similarities between Saint-Maclou and Rouen Cathedral. There were many other famous families, architects, and artists who contributed to the construction of the church as well. The Le Roux family is another example. The Le Roux family's contributions included the financing of the Church of Saint-Maclou. Jean d'Orbais was another artistic contributor who designed the interior of the church. The Church was considered as an important place to the community. This is exemplified through the contributions of wealthy families and famous artists who aided in construction and design of the church.
The buildings around the church were magnificent medieval looking.
We popped into a Café, sadly it turns out to be an Italian and not French. Anyway I enjoyed a nice cup of Café Au Lait and Mel a Chocolate Chaud. They were all out of Crossiants but was offered Panettone that we declined.
We walk on back through the city.
Walking down Rue St Lo we pass the Parlement de Normandie.
The Parliament of Normandy , also called the Parliament of Rouen , is a parliament of the Ancien Régime.
Established as a sovereign court and made sedentary in Rouen by an order of Louis XII inApril 14991 , the name of this court was changed from “chessboard” to “ parliament ” by Francis I upon his accession in 1515.
The Parliament of Rouen included within its jurisdiction the seven great bailiwicks of Normandy: Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux , Évreux , Les Andelys , Caen , Coutances and Alençon ( Jersey and Guernsey having not been attached to the French royal domain in 1204, and having been definitively annexed to the crown of England after the Hundred Years' War ).
It was then composed of four presidents, the first and third of whom were clerics and the other two laymen, of thirteen clerical councillors and fifteen lay councillors, of two clerks, one for civil, the other for criminal, of a court usher and six other ushers, and of two attorneys general and a public prosecutor. According to the letters of the year 1507 granted by Louis XII , the archbishop of Rouen and the abbot of Saint-Ouen were honorary councillors born in parliament.
When the exchequer court was made perpetual, it was divided into two chambers, one to judge in the morning and the other for the afternoon. This second chamber was later called the first of investigations. The chamber of the Tournelle , responsible for criminal cases, was built in 1519 and the chamber of vacations would not be established until 1547. Until October 1 , 1506, the Parliament of Normandy held its sessions at the castle of Rouen , then in the palace whose construction had begun in 1499 and which was not completed until much later.
Several kings of France held beds of justice in the parliament of Normandy. Charles VIII held one on April 27, 1485and confirmed the privileges of Normandy. Louis XII came there accompanied by the principal officers of his court on October 24, 1508.
August 2, 1517, Francis I held a bed of justice there, accompanied by Chancellor Duprat and several officers of his court. A few days later, the dauphin came to parliament, where he was given the same honors as the king himself, as Francis I had ordered . In the month of January 1518, he granted to the Parliament of Normandy the same privileges enjoyed by that of Paris , and, by another edict of the following February, he granted it a temporary exemption from the arrière-ban .
October 8, 1550, Henry II held a bed of justice at the parliament of Rouen, accompanied by cardinals, the king of Navarre Henry II , several dukes, the constable Anne de Montmorency , the admiral, the duke of Longueville , the chancellor Olivier , and several other lords. Charles IX had himself declared of age there, being accompanied by the chancellor Michel de L'Hospital .
In 1523, Francis I granted Parliament an exemption from the salt tax and ordered that each of his officers and his widow would be given as much salt as was needed for their household, without fixing the quantity, by paying only the merchant's price, on condition that this privilege was not abused.
Map of Parliaments in 1789.
In 1540, the chancellor Guillaume Poyet having indisposed the king against the Parliament of Rouen, the latter was banned. Commissioners were appointed for the Tournelle, and a president and twelve councillors sent to Bayeux , to render justice to the subjects of Lower Normandy until the king lifted his ban; and wishing to give the officers of this court a mark of the satisfaction he had with their conduct, inJune 1542, he made the exemption of the arrière-ban of 1518 general and perpetual for them by an edict.
The city of Rouen, which supported the Catholic League , rose up against Henry IV . InFebruary 1589, the new king transferred by an edict of the month the parliament of Normandy to the city of Caen which had remained loyal to him 2 . TheJune 20, 1589, the magistrates, led by Claude Groulart , entered the city. It sat in the theology auditorium of the University of Caen , then in the great hall of the Cordeliers convent 3 . Once peace had been restored, Parliament was finally reestablished in Rouen by another edict datedApril 8, 1594, despite the efforts of the Caen aldermen to keep him in their city. Banned from office again in 1639, for not having opposed the Barefoot revolt strongly enough , he was replaced by commissioners from the Parliament of Paris until his reinstatement by an edict ofJanuary 1641.
In 1560, the Parliament of Normandy was abolished along with the other provincial parliaments before being re-established in the month ofJune 1568by Charles IX . In April 1545, François I established a criminal chamber responsible for judging cases affecting Protestants which was replaced by an edict chamber, by virtue of the execution of the Edict of Nantes ofApril 1598, in turn deleted inJanuary 1685with the Edict of Fontainebleau . Composed at the time of 57 councilors and two presidents, an edict of the month ofJuly 1680created a second chamber of investigations, following which the Parliament of Rouen was composed, until the Revolution , of five chambers, the grand chamber, the Tournelle, two chambers of investigations and the chamber of requests of the palace.
It was in the Parliament of Normandy that, from 1728, general assemblies of deputies from the various courts and other notables were held for public affairs, as well as for the needs of hospitals and other necessities.
Like all provincial Parliaments, that of Normandy constituted a counter-power to royal absolutism . To curb the resistance of these sovereign courts of justice, Louis XV and his chancellor Maupeou implemented a vast judicial reform in 1771 by relocating the Parliaments. That of Normandy gave way to two "higher courts of justice" in Rouen and Bayeux.
 |
| Vormann, a German sculptor, calls the act of filling damaged buildings with colourful Lego 'Dispatchwork.' |
In April and May of 1944, Allied Forces were busily preparing for a massive invasion of German-occupied France. World War II was about to take a decisive turn against the Third Reich and for the liberation of the French Republic. Before this deliverance, however, France would be the recipient of one of the most harrowing bombing campaigns of the war. It was part of a strategy designed to soften up the German logistical systems and positions before the Normandy beach landings by 156,000 Allied soldiers.
For two consecutive days, April 18 & 19, American and English bombers dropped more than 6000 shells - 600 tons of explosives - onto this crucial administrative and transportation outpost of Nazi Germany.
Although the Allies were targeting military and industrial facilities, not every plan goes as designed. As an inevitable result of such a widespread and massive attack, over 1000 French civilians were killed and thousands wounded.
Between extensive bombing and rampant fires, much of Rouen was virtually destroyed. Bridges downed, roads and railways were demolished, apartment buildings, Churches, and other facilities were annihilated. And for those buildings left standing, most did not escape taking heavy damage from shells and fire.
The Rouen Courthouse featured in these photos was began construction in 1499 as a Parliament building. After the 1789 French Revolution, the building was turned into a courthouse known as the Palais de Justice de Rouen until World War II. And during the bombing of Rouen, the Palais received its share of abuse, with entire sections flattened.
After the war, as rebuilding began, a decision was made to leave the damage done to the courthouse. It was an homage to the thousands of residents killed and wounded during the occupation and bombings. The Palais is pock-marked from ground to the roof with fist-sized craters and cracks from explosives, shrapnel, and flying debris as Rouen was pounded from the air above during 48 hours of hell.
And so, THAT is why the Rouen Courthouse, the former Palais de Justice, is full of holes. It is a tribute. A dedication. A tactile history of both the ravages of warfare and a monument to the sacrifice made by Rouen to French liberation.
This brings us to 2020 and artist Jan Vormann.
Vormann, a German sculptor, calls the act of filling damaged buildings with colourful Lego 'Dispatchwork.' But many in Rouen call the artistic endeavour heresy. I can appreciate art, and I am a student of history. I suppose I can understand both sides of this argument.
From my research: Vormann has traveled the globe affixing Lego to damaged buildings and decaying walls. Perhaps part art and part social commentary, it would seem fitting to imbue neglected structures with bright tiles as a way of calling attention to neglect and decay. Here in Rouen, however, the decay in the Palais was intentional and not a byproduct of neglect. To me, Dispatchwork appears somewhat trivial and out of place here in Rouen.
Nevertheless, it appears that the Lego infusion is not necessarily permanent. In his other projects that I read about, children quickly scoffed up the Legos he carefully placed to take home and construct their own artwork.
We walk across the road to buy some delicious Ham and cheese Baguettes and some pastries from Paul patisserie.
Walking on we reach the iconic Gros Horloge on Rue De La Gros Horloge.
The Gros-Horloge (English: Great-Clock) is a 14th century astronomical clock in Rouen, Normandy.
The clock is installed in a Renaissance arch crossing the Rue du Gros-Horloge. The mechanism is one of the oldest in France, the movement having been made in 1389. Construction of the clock was started by Jourdain del Leche who lacked the necessary expertise to finish the task, so the work was completed by Jean de Felain, who became the first to hold the position of governor of the clock.
The clock was originally constructed without a dial, with one revolution of the hour-hand representing twenty-four hours. The movement is cast in wrought iron, and at approximately twice the size of the Wells Cathedral clock, it is perhaps the largest such mechanism still extant. A facade was added in 1529 when the clock was moved to its current position. The mechanism was electrified in the 1920s and it was restored in 1997. As of 9 July 2022, the clock movement itself is not functional in any way. There is an electrical solenoid that rings one of the two bells in the tower on the 1/4 hr.
The Renaissance facade represents a golden sun with 24 rays on a starry blue background. The dial measures 2.5 metres (25 dm; 250 cm) in diameter. The phases of the moon are shown in the oculus of the upper part of the dial. It completes a full rotation in 29 days. The week days are shown in an opening at the base of the dial with allegorical subjects for each day of the week.
The Gros Horloge has featured in paintings by J. M. W. Turner and the French impressionist Léon-Jules Lemaître.
The mechanism is one of the oldest in France, the movement having been made in 1389.
The sculptures inside the archway were just amazing and detailed.
We walk on down the street.
 |
A Punk sitting on Rue Gris Horloge with Ancienne Église Saint-Pierre-du-Châtel in the background. |
We walk back to Rue Saint Romain to see the Joan of Arc Museum.
The Historial Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc Museum) is located in the Archbishop's palace in Rouen, in the heart of the historic centre and close to the cathedral. This exceptional setting, built between the 11th and the 18th century, is listed a Historic Building. It is where Joan of Arc was condemned to death (1431) and where the second trial took place (1456). This place is thus particularly appropriate to immerse visitors in the history and myth of this heroine of French History. A visit out-of-the-ordinary using the latest video and sound multimedia technologies, the architecture and the evocative power of the place serve as a background to Joan of Arc's epic tale. Guided by Juvenal, the jurist who presided over the second trial, visitors will witness and take part in an incredible historical and legal story with testimonies of those who had met Joan. Another part of the museum will deal with the myth of Joan of Arc in a dedicated area called "Mythothèque" in which visitors will have access to multimedia educational tools to better understand who Joan of Arc was through the themes of politics, arts and history.
Sadly this was also closed.
We walk on and down Rue de Rollon and pass Le Palais Dun Fruit. A colourful greengrocers!
Walking on we finally stumble upon Place Du Vieux-Marche.
There are several half-timbered and/or corbelled houses there , a large part of which are in fact only made up of old facades reassembled at this location.
It housed the old Saint-Sauveur church, destroyed during the Terror in 1794-1795, but whose foundations were uncovered during the renovation of the square and are visible on the south side of the current Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc church.
There are several half-timbered and/or corbelled houses there , a large part of which are in fact only made up of old facades reassembled at this location.
It housed the old Saint-Sauveur church, destroyed during the Terror in 1794-1795, but whose foundations were uncovered during the renovation of the square and are visible on the south side of the current Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc church.
The fame of the place is linked to the torture of Joan of Arc who was burned alive there on May 30, 1431The place of public executions with the pillory and the firewall for the pyres was exhumed at the same time as the foundations of the Saint-Sauveur church during excavations carried out from 1970 to 1976.
A cross was erected next to the site of the pyre, as had been stipulated during the annulment trial (known as "rehabilitation") in 1456. This cross has the value of a national monument of homage to Joan of Arc, erected in accordance with the law ofJuly 10, 1920establishing a national holiday of Joan of Arc, article 3 of which states: "A monument with the inscription: TO Joan of Arc, THE GRATEFUL FRENCH PEOPLE, WILL BE Erected in honor of Joan of Arc , on the square in Rouen where she was burned alive ."
This really is a pretty Square in the heart of Rouen.
We walk on over to the Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc.
Built next to the site where Jeanne d Arc was martyred, this modern church has a dual vocation : first as a church honouring St. Joan and second as a civil memorial to the French heroine. France officially commemorates Jeanne d'Arc on the second Sunday in May. In Rouen, the Jeanne d Arc Festival is held on Sunday around May 30th. With its slate and copper scales, the church s modern exterior evokes the sea. Inside, you can admire the remarkable Renaissance stained-glass windows from the Church of St. Vincent that was destroyed in 1944.
The modern church Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc and the adjacent market halls were designed by the architect Louis Arretche, who was commissioned in 1969. The sweeping curves of the structure are meant to evoke both the flames that consumed Joan of Arc and an overturned longship. Many early Christian churches were designed in the shape of an overturned boat. The market halls simultaneously resemble smaller overturned boats and fish with gaping mouths, which are also rich Christian symbols. The tiled roof echoes this theme and forms a covered walkway over the square.
The stained glass windows come from the 16th century Church of Saint Vincent, whose ruins are located a few metres away. The old church was almost completely destroyed in 1944 during World War II, but the windows had been removed and stored in a safe location during the war. They were then incorporated into the Church of Saint Joan of Arc. The 13 window panels depict Christ's childhood, Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection, and life events of St.Peter, St. Anne and Saint Anthony of Padua:
Window of St. Peter’s life, 1520-1530, gift of the Boyvins, lords of Bonnetot;
Window of St. Anne, 1520-1530, by Jean Le Vieil and offered by the Compostela brotherhood;
Window of the Virgin’s Triumph, ordered in 1515 and completed circa 1522, work of Jean and Engrand Le Prince;
Window of St. Anne’s Tree, 1520-1530;
Window of the life of St. John the Baptist, completed in 1526, work of Engrand Le Prince;
Window of the Œuvres de Miséricorde, completed in 1520-1530, work of Engrand and maybe of Jean Le Prince;
Window of St. Anthony of Padoua, 1520-1530;
Window of the Saints, 1520-1530;
Window of the childhood and public life of Christ, 1520-1530, gift of the Le Roux de Bourgtheroulde;
Window of the Passion, 1520-1530;
Window of the Crucifixion, 1520-1530;
Window of the glorious life of Christ, 1520-1530;
Window of the martyrdom of St. Vincent, 1520-1530, gift of the Le Roux, lords of Esprevier.
The church of Saint Joan of Arc was completed in 1979 in the centre of the ancient market square, known as the Place du Vieux-Marché, the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. A small garden, Le Bouchet, which is outside and to the north of the church marks the exact spot.
 |
| Le Bûcher de Jeanne d'Arc: The cross that marks the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. |
 |
| Comptoir des Halles |
We leave the square to walk back to the hotel to book in and have a nap.
We pass the Cathedral again and after a long walk we are back at the hotel.
 |
| View from or hotel window, not the best but a decent hotel at a ok price with free parking. |
After a nap we catch the 33 bus back into the city to go get dinner and see the city by night.
We cross the Pont Jeanne d'Arc and see it lit up below.
We walk back to Place Deux-Marche.
We have dinner at D'Eux Memes and had a lovely Beef Bourguignons each.
We leave the square and pass by the Rouen Parliament again.
 |
| Rouen Parliment |
We walked by Gros Horlogue to see it lit up.
Below the clock face is a cutaway which shows the current day of the week, depicted by a Roman god. Monday is the moon, Tuesday is Mars, Wednesday is Mercury, Thursday is Jupiter, Friday is Venus, Saturday is Saturn, and Sunday is Apollo. Sheep are featured prominently as wooden carvings (and even on the end of the clock hand), representing Rouen’s history as a centre for wool production.
Next to Gros Horlogue is the Delirium Cafe Rouen.
We pop in, Mel has a Delirium beer and I have a Normandy Cider!
We try and find the stop for the 33 and find the bus has stopped running so I order a cab from the Bolt app to get us back to the hotel and sleep before our onward journey tomorrow to Dinan in Brittany.
