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THE ROANNAIS IN AUTUMN – AMONGST THE WONDERS OF LA LOGE by Brian Franklin
The Roannais in autumn must certainly be one of my favourite times to experience the splendour of the valleys, mountains, forests, and waters of this superb region in France. Of course, each season has its own individual character and beauty, but the vibrant, warm, rich colours of trees, hedgerows, and harvested fields in the autumn […]
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THE CÔTE ROANNAISE by Brian Franklin
The Côte Roannaise is a magical place. Following on from our previous 'blog' on this beautiful, but under-discovered region, it was felt that some further comment and description is necessary to emphasise and capture some of the exceptional delights available to the holidaymaker and traveller searching for something special. Yes, the Côte Roannaise does have […]
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FRANCE’S BEST-KEPT SECRET – THE CÔTE ROANNAISE AND ITS WINES
Well, it's about time we got stuck into wine with a vengeance -we're talking about France here!! Not only that, but coupled with the natural beauty of the Côte Roannaise, this place is now really producing some excellent quality and very good value wines. They are becoming more and more popular, locally and nationally. The […]
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FISHING, HUNTING, AND FUN, AT ‘LA LOGE’ IN LE ROANNAIS by Brian Franklin
Another wondrous wander into the idyllic land of the 'hunter'. This time a visit with the family on the invitation of Michel, 'Le Chasseur' (The Hunter) for a fun evening fishing, followed by a 'backwoodsman's' barbeque. A first visit for my wife, Lucy, and son OJ. Ellis, our 6 year old son, was with us, […]
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LA MAISON TROISGROS IN THE ROANNAIS by Brian Franklin
Okay, I admit it, we pushed the boat out a bit with this one! 'La Maison Troisgros' – One of the best restaurants we have ever been to! (and we've been to a few top ones in our time!) This establishment is probably the most important claim to fame by this entire region of 'Le […]
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HORSE-RIDING AND FUN AT ‘LAC DES SAPINS’ by Brian Franklin
The wild west meets the Beaujolais at the edge of Le Roannais ! It was sunny, hot, and ideal for a stage coach ride to the 'Rodeo'. Well, a short 30 minute car journey to a fantastic wooded park with huge lake (called Lac des Sapins), and plenty to do for family and kids alike. […]
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‘LE CENTRAL’ – A GREAT BISTRO-STYLE RESTAURANT IN ROANNE
It is inevitable that our 'blogs' and the information on our website will contain an increasing number of features and references to the many, varied, and exceptionally good restaurants in Le Roannais. This beautiful region is certainly a special gastronomic paradise for the 'foodie' as well as the 'winie' ! 'Le Central' is yet another […]
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ANOTHER FUN DAY OUT CANOEING ON LA LOIRE
Just couldn't resist another adventure on the French 'Amazon' ! Once more unto the breach, my love!! Yes, a little different from the last time we ventured onto the waters of La Loire, because my wife, Lucy, had been persuaded (rather reluctantly, I might add) to join us on our voyage into the unknown! […]
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LE BONHEUR EST DANS LE PRÉ, ROANNE
Yet another exceptionally good restaurant in Roanne, Le Roannais! "Le Bonheur est dans le Pré" is owned and managed by a great couple – Fabrice and Sabine Brisse. The unusual name of the restaurant can be literally translated to mean "Happiness is in the Field" ( seemingly relating to pastimes of honest toil, and natural, […]
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A SURPRISE DAY OUT IN GENÉVE (full of surprises!)
Yes! Yes! I know Geneva is in Switzerland and this website is primarily all about Le Roannais, Rhone-Alpes in France, BUT…… Geneva is another one of the many great places which is very easily accessible from Le Roannais. It is less than 3 hours drive away on superb auto-routes, and it is a brilliant city […]
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LES HALLES DIDEROT, ROANNE – by Lucy Franklin
'Les Halles Diderot' is the best quality indoor food market in Roanne, and probably in the whole of Le Roannais. Good food is generally not hard to come by in France, whether form village markets or your local 'supermarché'. Fresh produce in particular is of high quality, and seasonal (something we seemed to have forgotten […]
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LE PETIT PRINCE – AN OASIS IN LA MADELEINE
We discovered, after a recommendation, this beautiful restaurant near les Monts de la Madeleine in the region of Forez, part of Le Roannais. We had, in fact, heard of this restaurant before from some of our French friends but never visited it. Le Petit Prince is described in one of the local tourist guides as […]