'Nuns on run' return to fold

TWO elderly nuns who fled their communal home on the Côte d’Azur to avoid being sent to retirement homes have come out of hiding.

The nuns, 81 and 86, have agreed to stay temporarily in a nearby religious community close to the hospital where a third nun, 89, is staying. She injured her leg, preventing her from taking part in the flight.

A spokeswoman for their order, which had been planning to sell the house the nuns lived in and move them to the Ardèche and Aveyron, said the situation was now calmer.

They were previously being sheltered by friends who opposed the plans.

The nuns are the last survivors of a community that used to run a private Catholic school in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and their order had said it was not safe for them to continue living alone.

The spokeswoman said: "We hope the oldest sister gets well and we are in contact with them to find the best solution."