+44 (0)7831 626 767
info@purefrancenow.com
Sites of interest
Topics
News & Blog
Welcome to our blog.
Le Cuvage Story: A Dream Home in the Roannais by Brian Franklin
The last chapter about ‘Le Cuvage’, but certainly not the end of the story! At last! The work is over, the spending has slowed down, and the results of all our efforts can be clearly seen and appreciated. In some respects, there is an element of anti-climax about it all. As we neared the final […]
Read more...
Food Glorious Food at the Roanne Table Ouverte – October 2011
‘Roanne Table Ouverte’ – 9th Festival of Gastronomy in the Roannais region, during October 2011. (Literally ‘open table’ – a welcome to all the public to enjoy some of the best restaurants in the region) The gastronomic jewel of Roanne and the Roannais! It is an opportunity and a pleasure for all the restaurants, producers, […]
Read more...
The Magical Château du Bourg in Perreux.
The Château du Bourg is located 3km away from Roanne, and about 80km from Lyon. Situated in a 500 acre estate it has beautiful views of the 16th century medieval village of Perreux. Based in a region famous for its gastronomy, the Château du Bourg has a large summer house (it’s original orangery), recently renovated […]
Read more...
Discover the Beaujolais near the Roannais!
The Roannais may not be the most well known wine growing area around the world, but our neighboring department certainly is. The Beaujolais is just 30 minutes drive from Roanne, in fact pre-19th century the Roannais was part of the Beaujolais region. Here we recently had the opportunity to visit a small, family producer of […]
Read more...
Bernard Ceysson Gallery and Claude Viallat, Saint Etienne
Special 3-month exhibition of the amazing contemporary art of Claude Viallat starting this month at the Bernard Ceysson Gallery in Saint Etienne. CLAUDE VIALLAT – PEINTURES ET OBJETS September 29, 2011 – January 07, 2012 Claude Viallat (born 1936) is a French contemporary painter. Born in Nîmes, he grew up in Aubais, a French village […]
Read more...
The Ancient Magic of Château Drée in Burgundy
The Roannais is conveniently situated between several different regions of France – Auvergne, Allier, Saône et Loire, Burgundy, and with very easy access to many others. Just a pleasant countryside drive up the road for 30/40 minutes you are well into Burgundy (Bourgogne). As in all regions of France there are some amazing historical sites […]
Read more...
Vulcania: Blacksmith of the Gods, near the Roannais
Under 2 hours drive from the Roannais is the amazing world of ‘Vulcania’. In the heart of the Puy de Dôme, the historical volcanic region of France. A great place to visit for all the family, and the drive there is full of stunning, panoramic views of ancient volcanoes, and mountainous ridges. Vulcania, the “European […]
Read more...
The Roannais to the Italian city of Siena by Brian Franklin
Within a day’s steady drive away from our base in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes you can be walking through the Piazzo de Campo in the wonderful, medieval city of Siena (spelt Sienna in English) in the heart of the Chianti region of Italy. Stunning and beautiful with medieval and ancient history oozing out of its fascinating […]
Read more...
Le Cuvage Story: ‘Keeping Your Head Above Water’ by Brian Franklin
Continuing on from my last month’s article about our renovation and conversion of ‘Le Cuvage’ in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, things have moved along rapidly. Our French friends, Jean-François and Adeline, co-partners in this exciting joint project, have now moved into their part of Le Cuvage. Their new home looked great! Although each of the three […]
Read more...
Bar and Brasserie Clemenceau in Roanne, Roannais
‘Le Clemenceau is a Bar and Brasserie with panache – a great place to chill-out with a coffee or beer on a sunny Roannais day. Great for a quick lunch, too! A convivial Bar-Brasserie set in a prime position right in the heart of the Place Georges Clemenceau.This attractive square is is one of Roanne’s […]
Read more...
Restaurant la Rocadine in Perreux, Roannais
This is a sincere recommendation to an excellent restaurant run by Jérôme and Mélanie Sadot.In typical Jérôme fashion his menu and presentation is traditional French, but with contemporary and original styling. A winning combination along with the use of high quality, local produce. It’s a good sign when you can see many local French people […]
Read more...
From Dubai to Château de Champlong in the Roannais by Brian Franklin
Here at Purefrancenow we always take the chance to emphasise great experiences we have had, especially those we have had with very good friends. It is particularly the case in this instance when they are friends who have travelled all the way from Dubai to visit us here in the Roannais as part of a […]