Day 1, Rouen

We covered a distance of 641.4 km today. First, we drove mainly on the fantastic Belgian highway with countless cows (yes, really, we agreed that there were more cows than houses there). Then we continued on seemingly endless national and departmental routes. Finally, we wanted to save on tolls. After a total of 7.5 hours of driving, we arrived in the charming Normandy. Rouen is bigger than we thought, full of one-way streets and pedestrian zones, with beautifully timber-framed houses next to huge cathedrals and many restaurants and pubs. The only thing missing here was a parking space. After two moderate nervous breakdowns, we simply followed a few locals who eventually led us to a parking garage. Now just quickly pack a backpack out of the suitcase for one night and finally set off to check into our small but fine hotel room. After that, as an aperitif, we first enjoyed our obligatory glass of sparkling wine. After escargot, choucroute, and flammkuechle, we walked back to our hotel through the countless small alleyways.