purefrancenow

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. Although we have been to the famous Beaujolais region quite a few times,  […]

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New Blog on our recent Italian sojourn coming soon. Watch this space!

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As Purefrancenow discovered, Berlin is one of those historical cities which has to be high on the list to visit, at least once. I went with my wife, Lucy, and our son, Ellis, and Juliane, my wife’s mother ( who was born in East Germany, and is from Prussian descent.) Juliane had never been back […]

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On July 14th the French celebrate Bastille Day. This day marks the end of monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution. Several factors led to the Revolution. France had the largest population in Europe and not nearly enough food to feed it. The wealthy and growing bourgeoisie (the middle-class, merchants and businessmen) were allowed […]

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A short drive from the Roannais enroute to Saint Etienne in the region of the Rhône-Alpes there is a stunning château. Of course, France is full of beautiful château’s of different architectural styles and merits, both large and small. Château Bouthéon is a particularly fine example of well-preserved history, beautifully landscaped gardens, and collection of […]

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After yet another visit to Château de Champlong, this time as part of a business club reunion evening meal, a triumph of excellent cuisine by Olivier Boizet was once again experienced gladly by all! The Château de Champlong, located right in the heart of the Roannais region, is set in lush green countryside. This charming […]

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Vichy is one of France’s foremost spas which shot to fame in the 1860s when Napoleon III started taking the waters. Its sulphurous springs are said to cure rheumatism, arthritis and all manner of digestive disorders. As a result, a large number of elderly, genteel French citizens holiday here. The town retains a real ‘fin-de-siecle’ […]

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During the recent snowy period in France ‘Le Cuvage’ has looked like a winter wonderland. ‘ Le Cuvage’ is one of the best holiday rental opportunities in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, and a French winter break with some safe family ski-ing here is ideal. You can get the best of many worlds, with  top quality French […]

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Until the 25th of March 2012, at Lyon’s Textile Museum. Explore the dressing room of an icon: the Madonna in high fashion. Silks, embroidered fabrics, pearls, cabochons, lace… A whole host of sumptuous materials that have been used to dress statues for centuries… What a strange idea, you might well think… But when you get […]

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There is a small, little-known corner of the north western end of the huge Rhône-Alpes region in France which is waiting, somewhat patiently, for discovery and greater attention. This area is called Le Roannais in the département of the Loire. Yes, of course, many tourists and business travellers from the UK and other parts of […]

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