RUN RABBIT, RUN, IN THE ROANNAIS! by Brian Franklin

Well, bless my whiskers! Rabbits are having a field day in France at the moment – literally!

Apparently, and according to recent reports, there has been an 'explosion' of our little furry friends all over France. In fact, a damn right 'plague' of them!

 

They are devastating crops, along with community relations throughout the idyllic tranquility of rural France. Much to the exasperation of local farmers.

In fact, lawsuits are flying (or hopping!) about as farmers, hunters and landowners blame each other for failing to keep the rabbit population in check.

The farmers, too, are 'hopping' mad, amid mounting anger and destruction on a scale unknown for 30 years. Cereal farmers are being advised to sue their neighbours who allow wild rabbits to proliferate.

As highlighted in 'The Times' this month, one case that created controversy recently was that of a hunter who was ordered to pay €1,439 (£1,134) in damages to two farmers after a court ruled that he had not shot enough rabbits in his woods.

Apparently, French internet sites are full of similar tales.

The owner of a fallow field in northern France poured out his woes on one site after a neighbouring farmer demanded €3,000 in compensation for the loss of 2,000 lettuces, 1.5 tonnes (3,300lb) of beetroot and 800kg (1,760lb) of carrots. "I have been in a black mood since Saturday morning," he said.

Under French law, landowners have a civil responsibility to prevent an "excess number" of rabbits on their property.

The damage by rabbits has doubled in the last 2 years, devastating thousands of acres of land at a rate of 500 grammes per rabbit per day. Costs to farmers can range from €80 an acre to €1,000.

One apparent reason for the explosion is growing resistance to myxomatosis, the viral disease introduced into France in 1952.

 

A second explanation is the weather last summer, when there was enough rain to provide an abundance of food during the reproductive season, but not enough to drown their litters.

However, many farmers say the main cause is an increasingly slipshod approach to land management.

Public authorities are blamed for allowing rabbits to multiply alongside rivers, roads and railways, where they have curtailed a longstanding policy of regular culls.

Private landlords have also been lambasted, and deemed no better. They are accused of doing nothing about rabbits on their land these days.

Many of France's private woods and forests are used for hunting. But it is now felt that contemporary hunters have been ignoring the rabbits that they used to stew with red wine and 'herbes de Provence'. They now prefer bigger game these days such as deer, wild boar, and, of course, the popular, seasonal duck shoot.

The Noble Rabbit

Of course, not so long ago rabbit was part of the traditional farmers' regular country fayre, and certainly that of the local peasant poacher's.

 

In 'Roman Empire' Italy, amongst the aristocracy dining in their villas, it was once originally regarded as a special delicacy! (no doubt along with dormouse, song birds, etc.!)

In the rest of Europe, and particularly in Britain, it then became part of the commoners diet – rabbit pie, rabbit stew, and the like.

I, myself, have impressed our French friends regularly during the cold autumn and winter months with a particularly good recipe for rabbit which I found in an old farmhouse recipe book.

They simply love it, and it makes me feel good that they surprisingly experience an Englishman successfully preparing something that the French adore.

It is a Romanesque-style recipe, but also harkens back to the typical rabbit stew which my father used to make, usually after returning from the local 'cattle market' in Peterborough with a couple of dead rabbits under his arm. He and I would skin, gut, and prepare the joints for the pot together. (I remember doing the same for my 'backwoodsman's' badge in the scouts!)

All served with mashed potatoes and carrots, of course.

Now, the recipe I prepare in France is slightly different, and a little more sophisticated.

A little touch of 'haute cuisine', naturally. We can't keep 'feeding' them the idea that all us Englishmen are a load of beer-swilling, fry-up-eating peasants, now can we?!!! 

I also buy the rabbit already prepared. I would also recommend buying legs, as the bone gives more flavour. Everyone gets one each, and it also looks more impressive when you 'plate' up'

Ingredients – Serves 4

4 Rabbit Legs

Streaky Bacon (3 or 4 slices)

1 Large Onion, roughly chopped

150ml Dry White Wine (Muscadet is good)

1 Garlic Clove peeled and crushed (optional)

Whole Grain Mustard (2 large table spoons)

150ml of Chicken or Vegetable Stock ('Marigold Bouillon' is excellent)

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Creme Fraiche (2 or 3 large table spoons)

Cooking Instructions 

Cut the bacon into small inch-sized strips, or use ready-prepared lardons, and add these to a large Le Creuset style casserole dish (cast-iron type), with some butter or olive oil, and cook until the fat starts to run.

Remove to the side into a dish or onto a plate, and cover.

Next, roughly chop the onions, not too small, and fry until soft, but do not brown.

Then remove the onions to the side dish with the bacon.

Fry each of the rabbit legs in the casserole dish until golden brown all over, then add the bacon and onions back with the rabbit in the casserole dish.

Next, add the wine, stock, garlic, and the mustard, plus ground pepper and salt.

Cover, and leave to simmer for 15 minutes. Then place onto the middle shelf of the oven, and leave for 1½ hours at medium heat, checking occasionally.

If necessary, top up with a little more stock/wine, but don't over do it!

Remove from oven, and stir in 2 large, heaped tablespoons of creme fraiche.

And 'Voila!' There you have it! 

Serving Suggestion 

Serve with creamed potatoes, carrots or peas.

The French particularly like the way we sometimes serve it with tagliatelle, so they can eat their baguette with it, along with a simple, mixed-lettuce salad and obligatory French dressing, which they have the option to eat with the rabbit, or separately afterwards (almost as a refresher before the cheese course).

So, happy cooking, and happy eating! 

 

 

DINING WITH THE FRENCH IN THE ROANNAIS by Lucy Franklin

Yes, I'm on the subject of food again.

I just couldn't resist putting pen to paper (or, I should say, finger to keyboard!) after a delightful meal that Brian, Ellis, and myself enjoyed recently at a local restaurant in the Roannais region of France.

We had dined at this restaurant many times before. Sometimes with groups of friends, languishing in the beautifully terraced gardens on a warm, moonlit evening.

 

 

On this particular occasion, however, we were not persuaded by our 7 year old son to eat outside – simply not the same on a freezing April night! 

We were accompanied by two close French friends – one a local headmaster, the other a social worker (both French fonctionnaires), and both connoisseurs of food and wine ( but then isn't everyone that is French!)

The conversation, as it most often does, turned to the subject of 'Food'. From the quality of local restaurants, freshness of ingredients, finesse of various Chefs de Cuisine, and to which dining experience had been better than others.

We, ourselves, were arguing the case for local restaurants where we had enjoyed different types of meals, only to be shot down each time by our French companions about 'the way this was cooked or presented, or the price charged for that…'

What baffled me slightly was the fact that many of these small, local eateries were places introduced to us by these same two friends, and where, in fact, we had enjoyed many evenings together.

In our, still not perfect, French we were trying to explain that while we were not holding up each restaurant to be the ultimate in dining experience, each held its own merit, qualified by price, proximity, convenience, service, and general atmosphere.

Our friends, however, seemed to be making judgement solely on the seeming quality of ingredients and the ability of the Chef de Cuisine.

Whilst I can certainly agree that these two elements are of utmost importance, for me the atmosphere, decoration, and the demeanor of staff also adds to or diminishes from the overall  experience. Even more so if your know the restaurant owner and the chef well, and have always had a pleasant evening, despite the odd dish being sometimes less than 'perfect'.

 

My blood did nearly come to boiling point when one of our friends "jokingly" commented that to the "English" McDonalds was a dining experience!!! (coming from someone who along with his own two children had introduced our son Ellis (then 5 or 6 years old) to a McDonalds in France after a trip to the cinema – Ellis had never ever been to a McDonalds, even in England, until then!).

Joking apart, perhaps this puts into perspective why we have often been taken to restaurants with our friends that, in all honesty, I would not have entertained had we been on our own.

Yes, the food was great, but as sometimes happens in rural France, scant regard is paid much to interiors, subtlety of lighting and general ambience, and even actual service sometimes.

These are often places that I would not normally wish to return to.

The French are so obsessed with food that that they have difficulty seeing past it or around it.

And whilst I can appreciate our friends' comments, I do have to beg to differ on their conclusion as to what makes a good meal and an enjoyable experience.

We have so many great restaurants (in my opinion, of course!) in the Roannais that you would never be short on choice, whether you are wanting a leisurely Sunday lunch, evening meal with the kids, or top quality, world renowned 5-star eating at our famous local restaurant 'La Maison Troisgros' (See our recent blog: " La Maison Troisgros in the Roannais".)

 

There are many to choose from – all different, and, in our experience all well worth a visit!

On the subject of 'Food' (and probably on 'Drink',too!), however, I'm not sure there will ever be an "entente cordiale".

I'm absolutely sure there will be more to come on this subject in the future.

Watch this space! 

SUCCESS FOR PUREFRANCENOW PROPERTY IN THE ROANNAIS

Yes. Property sales and viewings have started well this year, particular as the 2008 Spring season commences, despite some of the general economic doom and gloom around.

Here in the Roannais, Rhone-Alpes region, there are exceptional property opportunities and bargains to be had. Just take a look! 

Visit our 'Property for Sale' section on this site for our current listing, but don't forget that we are here to help at Purefrancenow with your property search, and have access to many more property opportunities throughout the Roannais and Rhone-Alpes regions through our dedicated partnership network in France.

So just try us!  

The Hunting Lodge (featured on our website)

The Hunting Lodge at Cour Rossignol has now sold. This beautiful, 18th century property, is situated in the original woodland grounds of the Chateau des Cresses, near the medieval hill village of Perreux, and close to the main township of Roanne, Roannais, in the beautiful Rhone-Alpes region.

 

 

 

 

 

A great place with scope for further interior development. And sold at the very reasonable price of 105,000 euros (approx. £84,000). A great bargain!

Purefrancenow has handled all sale and legal communications for the client, and even assisted in furniture removal.

Our day-to-day advice and tracking of each stage of the French sale and purchase procedure has completely taken all the hassle out of the transaction for our seller, along with the considerable reduction of expensive travel costs.

Our client, who has sold the property, and our purchaser, have been fully informed at every stage, and are both exceptionally happy with the results.

Here's to our next sale – Santé!

 

New Property Opportunities

In the last few months some exceptionally good properties have been introduced to us, and, of course, you can view all these and more in our 'Property For Sale' section on this website.

Just to whet your appetite a little, here are just a couple which may well be worth your attention!

They are such new  opportunities that they are only just being placed onto our main property section.

If you want any information on these particular properties then please e-mail us direct to: info@purefrancenow.com  We will send you full details and further photos, and help with any questions you may have.

ANCIENT MAISON PERREUX – 16th Century!  – £280,000

This is astounding, and heading back to the middle ages – the 1500's, in fact!

Just oozing with medieval character, straight off a film set, but the real thing!!

It is a superbly restored and renovated home, beautifully decorated with an array of exquisite features.

Our descriptions and images here cannot do it full justice. A visit is absolutely essential to capture the essence, atmosphere, and quality of this building, set in the heart of the medieval hill village of Perreux in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, despite its fantastic and ancient personality, this house is a great family home with a lot of space and rooms on various levels.

Original beamed ceilings, ancient windows, doors and stairways with unique, original carvings, and stone floors abound, plus much, much more!!

 

 

 

Have a look at our 'Property for Sale' section for more details and images, and book your visit with us now!

 

 

 

VILLA 'CHANTE ALOUETTE' ST.CYR DE FAVIERES  – £277,000

A stunning house in a prime countryside location in the heart of the idyllic Roannais region in the Rhone-Alpes.

This is a great  situation for a family home, set within wooded grounds and gardens.

 

A children's paradise – secure and fun!

Offering large, well-maintained and extensive accommodation, this home is perfect for moving into immediately, and in good decorative order throughout.

An architect-designed villa-styled house, this superb family home has all modern conveniences for very stylish, spacious, comfortable living.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrounded by beautiful countryside with amazing views across open fields towards the Mountains of the Madeleine – simply marvellous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both the above houses are near to the stylish, river-port, township of Roanne (only 15 minutes away).

There is convenient access to the main auto routes, and railway networks to Paris, Lyon, Vichy, Saint Etienne, Marseilles, and other regions, including the South of France.

There are several airports within easy reach – Lyon St. Exupery (90 mins), Saint Etienne (40 mins), Grenoble (90 mins) Geneva (3 hours)

Excellent local ski-ing is available in the Mountains of the Madeleine (30 mins) and Chamazel (45 mins).

The large, popular ski-ing resorts of the French and Swiss Alpes are only 3 hours drive away.

This beautiful region of the Roannais is exceptional, and there are many property opportunities here. It is one of the last under-discovered regions in France, and as its French and international reputation emphasises, it also has probably the best gastronomy and restaurants in the whole of France!

Well worth a visit.

We, here at Purefrancenow, can assist in all aspect of property searches, visits, and any advice you may require about all aspects of this region and buying and renovating property in the Roannais. See our 'Services' section on this website

Just contact us at: info@purefrancenow.com We're here to serve and assist you as much or as little as you want.