+44 (0)7831 626 767
info@purefrancenow.com
The Medieval Village of Perreux in the Roannais
The countryside environs associated with Perreux were established over 1000 years ago, and the first time that the village and commune of Perreux is mentioned in historical records is in 1080 when it was listed as the ‘key’ to the Côte du Forez and the Beaujolais. Here it remained until the late 1880’s when the departmental lines were redrawn, and Perreux became part of the Loire region, linking it to Lyon ans Saint Etienne. This marvellous medieval hill village, and its traditional buildings date back to the 16th century.
This is a delightful, characterful place situated within the Loire region near Roanne in the Rhône-Alpes, and is ideally placed at the gateway to the beautiful Roannais region with its varied farmland, countryside, vineyards, valleys, mountains, and the meandering river La Loire. Simply stunning!
Along with many of the ancient villages here in the Roannais, Perreux has a colourful history.
Perreux has also developed over the last 10 years or so with many of its medieval buildings being careful conserved and sympathetically renovated.
The local council and mayor has also invested in much needed development and renovation throughout the village, and it is now particularly interesting and charming for visitors and tourists.
Just recently the new mayor of Perreux, Monsieur Guy Monroe, has organised the publication of an improved ‘magazine style’ version of the Perreux Bulletin. This yearly publication features many aspects of village life, along with both personal stories, and business features which relate to Perreux.
All details and information of local village and communal tax investments and development accomplished during the previous year are clearly presented, along with the objectives for the communal development work in the following year.
This year, a locally renowned photographer and designer, Stéphane Archambault, has been involved in the total design and production of the January 2009 Perreux magazine. His new photography of the village, in particular, clearly emphasises its true beauty and stunning location.
So, there is no doubt that Perreux and the surrounding region of the Roannais is well worth a visit, and is certainly a rewarding place for summer holidays, weekend breaks, or for the location of special business events.
Success for ‘La Rocadine’ Chef in Paris!
Jérôme Sadot, innovative young chef at La Rocadine, a well-frequented local Roannais restaurant, has been recently selected for the final of the 59th ‘Concours Européen du Prix Culinaire Prosper Montagné 2009.
His success so far in this auspicious competition is a testament to his creative and original cooking skills, as well as his determination and commitment to achieve quality recognition for his restaurant,’La Rocadine’.
This yearly culinary competition encourages up and coming chefs from all over France to test their culinary skills against their contemporaries. They are, of course, also demonstrating and showcasing their creativity and quality of approach to gastronomy, and the use of high quality produce and ingredients.
And, not only that, but once even being selected for the final competition in Paris, like Jérôme Sadot has this year, it will reflect beneficially on his restaurant back in the Roannais as a clear testament to the quality of the chef behind ‘La Rocadine’s menu and service! A great Opportunity for him!
Congratulations, so far!
Purefrancenow will report back after the final on 2nd February 2009.
Purefrancenow Roannais Directory – La Rocadine
New Ambitions of the Grand Hotel, Roanne
Following Purefrancenow’s first exposé on the Grand Hotel in Roanne during November 2008, things are now moving on at a pace !
Planned since 2007 through Anne Eparvier, Hotel Manager, this 3-starred Roannais hotel will benefit from modernisation that will offer a new diversity to its clients.
When Anne Eparvier was first offered the opportunity to manage this hotel, she says it was not difficult to commit with enthusiasm to the position.
She was previously employed at another ‘Grand Hotel’ in Uriage-les-Bains.
However, she knows the area in Roanne around its railway station very well, having previously worked at Maison Troisgros for over 6 years.
The Grand Hotel changed hands in 2007, and will now benefit from her experience and professionalism in hotel management.
With 31 bedrooms and a conference room (approx.30sq.m), the Grand Hotel, situated on the Cours de la Republique, is the only 3-star Hotel in Roanne.
80% of its trade comes from business clients. From Monday to Thursday the occupancy rate is very good. It is their aim that week-end trade is increased, along with their normally good summer tourist activity, and business travellers.
In April and October the hotel rooms are also often reserved for weddings.
Room prices vary between 62-72 euros, and during 2008 the Grand Hotel secured an overall occupancy rate of 59%, compared to 55% in 2007 – an encouraging sign for the new development programme intended for the establishment.
All the TV’s will be changed to flat screen. Mini-bars and hairdryers will be available in all bedrooms, plus free wi-fi access in the lounges and seminar room.
Along with modernisation of all bedrooms, and the development of 2 further floors into 4 or 5 large double bedrooms, there will be further re-styling and re-arrangement of the ground floor breakfast room and ‘historic’ bar area with all its original wood panelling dating back to the 1900’s. These changes will further encourage the potential access by the general public to use the bar and restaurant services.
The hotel’s magnificent reception and conference room of 100 sq. m, along with the smaller seminar room can be used for a multitude of different private and business requirements.
The Grand Hotel, member of RHR (Roanne Hotel Reservations) is also hoping that the recent opening of the region’s new, major events centre, Scarabée, will provide further support and opportunities.
All-in-all, there is an exciting time ahead for the Grand Hotel in Roanne, and if Anne Eparvier has anything to do with it the next few years will be extremely successful! www.grand-hotel-roanne.fr
purefrancenow grand hotel review 1
Visit www.purefrancenow.com for more information about the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes region, and all it has to offer to Businesses, Clubs, Associations, Holidaymakers, and Leisure Travellers alike.
Purefrancenow Roannais Directory – Hotels
Fromagerie Mons – Success in the USA!
Roannais refined cheeses in the ‘Big Apple’ !
Recent success by the Roannais region’s most celebrated and renowned refiner of French cheeses, Fromagerie Mons, has added another dimension to this region’s impeccable reputation for quality produce and style of gastronomy.
This remarkable achievement by Fromagerie Mons comes after much investment, development, commitment, care, and extreme hard work.
Fromagerie Mons is a quality, family establishment with a long, successful history behind it.
Now, Fromagerie Mons has fulfilled their ‘American Dream’ to develop an opportunity for a broad sales and distribution of their refined cheeses throughout the states, via Nurray’s of New York.
Over the years Fromagerie Mons, based in the little village of Saint-Haon le Châtel, in the Cote Roannaise, has successfully put in place a perfectly ‘refined’ export strategy for its products. Henceforth, up to 80% of its sales activities involve 19 different countries, with 30% in the USA.
Hervé Mons remembers that it seems a long time ago that the Mons business was given opportunities, and supported, by the best restaurateurs in the Rhône-Alpes. Mons is forever grateful that renowned international chefs such as Michel Troisgros have understood and assisted Fromagerie Mons’ entrée into international markets through the promotion of French gastronomy – first in Stockholm in 1989, then throughout Scandinavia, followed by Germany, Italy, and onward with more countries throughout the world!
Hervé Mons says that it was in the Piémont in Bra, shrine to the famous Italian truffle, that the American ‘Adventure’ truly began. “The Americans that were sourcing in Europe came to see me”, remembers Hervé, “We quickly worked for one of their shops in New York, and when you are in New York you have an opening to the entire world!”
Today, Fromagerie Mons fulfil 78% of their business with export (6.2 million euros in 2008).
One of the main keys to their success is their determination to ‘understand’ the needs of their clients, and to ensure the quality of product is of the highest standard.
Fromagerie Mons now works with Nurray’s in New York, and is starting to sell and promote a selection of Mons cheese products through its shops – “All Food Market”.
There are 266 of these stores throughout America. The objective for Fromagerie Mons is to be sold in all these shops over the next 3 years.
Fromagerie Mons has an excellent, knowledgeable, and professional team at their base in Saint Haon, particularly with Eric Meredith, responsible for quality, who is an American originally from Boston. In their American endeavours they are also assisted by Jedd Adair, a citizen of Nevada, who will be responsible for exploiting and developing the American market, and Laure Dubouloz, in charge of the US dossier.
A huge cellar for cheese ‘affinage’ in an old tunnel in the village of Ambierle in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes.
Obviously, to help support the widening of their international market with success in America Fromagerie Mons is developing their business further with the opening of a large storage cellar in Ambierle, and the investment of over 2.5 million euros over the next 5 years.
Hervé Mons, and his brother Laurent, know that the true base of success rests entirely on the irreproachable quality of the Mons product. Their business is now set on a path of long-term development, and at the start of 2009, they have already ear-marked 500,000 euros of investment in the development of a huge, old railway tunnel in Ambierle into an immense ‘affinage’ cellar – 180 metres long!
So, long may their success continue! Congratulations and best wishes to Mons!
Fromagerie Mons by purefrancenow – News and Reviews
Visit www.purefrancenow.com for more information on the Roannais – its food, wine, cheeses, restaurants, and much, much more!
Chateau de Champlong – ideal for Club or Business rendezvous in the Roannais!
Chateau de Champlong provided an excellent location and exquisite conviviality for a recent Société Générale Investment Club meeting, followed by a superb meal and evening of hearty conversation. It was a resounding success, of course. What would you expect of the quality and service at Chateau de Champlong?!! Superb!
There were 14 members of the club present for ‘La Table de Véro et Olivier’. The evening’s menu consisted of aperitif, and ‘mise en bouche’, followed by:
Saucisson vigneron, salade de pommes de terre écrasées a la fourchette à l’huile d’olive.
Plateau du fromages affinés par la Maison Mons.
Ile Flottante à l’orange.
All cooked, presented, and served with the normal quality and panache of this regionally renowned gastronomic establishment.
The delightful food was perfectly accompanied by a superb red wine – Les Amadous Cotes du Ventoux 2006 (a well-balanced blend of Grenache, Syrah, Censaul grapes) from Vaucluse in the South of France.
Coffee was served with the option of a glass of Marc du Bourgogne.
There is no doubt that this particular soirée was exceptional value for money at 30€ per person, including wine, aperitifs, and digestifs! Also, In the beautiful interior setting of the 14th century Chateau de Champlong. All the club members thoroughly enjoyed it all, as normal!
Simply a great opportunity!
So, if you want the perfect location for your private, business, or club meeting or celebration, then you can’t go wrong with Chateau de Champlong.
For more information and opportunities in the Roannais visit: www.purefrancenow.com
Gourmet Week-ends Business Events Celebration Events
The purefrancenow Blog, News, and Reviews also has many interesting articles about the Roannais, Rhone-Alpes region, including resataurants, food, wine, and much more!
Happy New Year in the Roannais from Purefrancenow!
Happy New Year!
Yes, it’s another year. A year of opportunities, hope, and success in the Roannais with Purefrancenow.
We are here to help, advise, and support all visitors to this superb region in the Rhône-Alpes, and particularly, those individuals, families, clubs, and businesses who are looking for something different for a holiday, private celebration, week-end break, or special club activity or business event.
We also have some great property opportunities featured on our website, and access to many more via our partnership agents in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes region.
There are some great property bargains at the moment! Property for Sale – Chateaux, mansions, business and renovation opportunities
Purefrancenow, and our dedicated team and regional resources in the Roannais are available to organise all aspects of your particular requirements to ensure a successful visit to, and experience of, this beautiful part of central France.
Take a look at our Blog News and Reviews section at www.purefrancenow.com. There’s plenty of detailed information, and ‘real’ experience stories which will add to your knowledge and understanding of what is on offer before you arrive in the Roannais.
In 2009 Purefrancenow will be developing even more features on the website which will provide more information for our visitors, but also more support for our regional partners and businesses. And, of course, we thank all those Roannais businesses, restaurants, hotels, and individuals who have supported us and invested in Purefrancenow during our very successful 2008.
Our 2009 year has already started with a new issue of French Property News in January which features ‘Le Cuvage’. A personal story of the renovation and conversion of a large wine-making barn, and the discovery of the Roannais region.
This January issue is Part 5 of an ongoing special editorial diary series written by Brian Franklin, Director of www.purefrancenow.com
Part 6 will be featured in the February issue of French Property News, followed by a further two double-page spread editorials for March and April.
A Roannais property ‘spotlight’ is planned for the May issue.