We finally made it to Fougères in June and caught up with  our friends there. Everyone made their own way, many staying in other areas either before or after the visit, or both.

We arrived on Thursday 8 June and had a reception 'à la salle Hamelin aux Urbanistes' at 17.00hrs. The evening was spent with our hosts.

On Friday 9 June, it was an early start to drive to St. Malo to visit the Craquelins factory where we had a conducted tour of the biscuits being produced. We had time to buy the products in the factory shop before driving  to see the Rance Tidal Power Station. It was opened in 1966 and was the first tidal power station built and is still the second biggest in the world. It is located on the estuary of the Rance River in Brittany, near St. Malo. 

Time to relax and have a leisurely lunch at the restaurant La Timonerie. The service and kitchen were provided by people with disabilities. They did an excellent job and looked after us very well.

The afternoon was spent at the Briantais park which included a tour round the manor house. Just as well we were able to go inside as it decided to rain. A nineteenth century landscape park and chateau with sea views. The chateau was built in 1850 on the site of a seventeenth century manor. The collections of all types of items was amazing and the history of the people who had lived in the house. The lady who conducted our tour lived there and admitted that the winter was very cold to get through despite the huge log fire in the kitchen/dining area. A fascinating place and worth another visit.

Saturday was a day with your host family. Peter and I were taken to visit the miniatures created by Henri Chesnais of famous buildings, now all transported to an area with a walk. Extremely clever and made during Henri’s retirement.

In the evening, we all congregated at the restaurant Chez Tonton in Fougères for a meal together.

Sunday was a free day with your host. We visited le Jardin de la Pellerine in the morning which was really beautiful and relaxing. In the afternoon, Peter and Christine went head to head in some board games in Christine’s garden. In the evening we went to a restaurant and indulged in yet more food and certainly did not count the calories.

All too quickly, Monday arrived and it was time to say goodbye. We would like to thank all our friends in Fougères for making our time with them so special. We look forward to seeing you again soon and, for some of us, that will be in Bad Münstereifel during September.