Maison Fromagerie Mons revisited in the Roannais
By purefrancenow | March 15, 2010
The French are passionate about most things!
Never more so than with their cheeses, and if there is one extremely successful, family-run business that exemplifies this then it has to be Fromagerie Mons.

And how wonderfully fortunate are we, in the Roannais region of the Rhone-Alpes, to have this Affineur of fine cheeses right on our doorstep.
Many year’s ago we had been pointed in the direction of the Mons Fromagerie in Halles Diderot, a fabulous high quality indoor market in Roanne.
Having been told that they were simply the best place to purchase cheese, not only for quality, but also breadth of choice – they sell a range of over 230 different cheeses throughout the year. and unparalleled expertise.

Today, Maison Mons has 22 people working at its caves in the Roannais, 155 clients in France, and many clients in 19 countries, 130 individual producers in France, 4 cheese shops, and about 190 different cheeses aging throughout the year. ‘Affinage’ cheese aging will always be the heart of the operation.
In 2009 Mons are continuing to expand and are developing a new entity ‘La Compagnie d’Affinage des Caves de la Collogne’, which is unique in its realm. They have recuperated and restored an old train tunnel and transformed it into a cheese aging tunnel.

This project will be completed in July 2009, and will allow Mons to really differentiate their products from the rest with an unprecedented environment and care for all their many cheeses, leaving Maison Mons with an exclusive range of high quality.products.
Maison Mons is always looking forward.
Visit their new website for more information about this excellent establishment, and, of course, where to buy their wide range of top quality cheeses: Maison Mons
purefrancenow cheese news and blogs
Topics: Côte Roannaise, Food, Le Roannais, News, business, cheese | No Comments »
Purefrancenow News from the Roannais
By purefrancenow | March 14, 2010
More news from the Roannais in March 2010 !
www.purefrancenow.com is a website dedicated to the highlighting and promotion of French lifestyle, holidays, and property opportunities, including French products and services - regional restaurants, food and wine, local events, medieval villages, history, including art and design, in the Roannais, Rhône–Alpes region.
There are also particularly excellent opportunities for business, group, club, or private requirements, with many choices for special event organisation.
Our Purefrancenow team and regional partners are able to plan and organise various events and special activities, including Gourmet Week-ends, Celebration Events and Corporate or Club Events throughout the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes.
Many interesting and relevant articles are also featured in our Purefrancenow Blogs, News and Reviews on the home page of our website. So, enjoy!
Take a look at our monthly Newsletters at: Purefrancenow Monthly Newsletter Archive
Topics: Le Roannais, News, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Speciality olive oils, vinegars, and mustards in the Roannais
By purefrancenow | March 8, 2010
For more than 120 years, in the southernmost corner of Burgundy, near the Roannais region, has been the home to the cultivation of a range of culinary oils with an authentic fruity flavour.
Through the generations, the LEBLANC family has handed down its trade secrets based on the watchwords of authenticity, tradition and nature, flavour, gastronomy and sophistication.

Is it the stone mill that has been grinding the seeds and fruits since 1878, or is it the age-old techniques passed from father to son?
It’s probably a beautiful combination of the two that guarantees the quality and special identity of every precious trickle of oil that emerges from the press.
![]()
The famous J.Leblanc oils in the Roannais – by Lucy Franklin
_______________________________________________________________________
Topics: Food, Le Roannais, business | No Comments »
Tourism Show at Scarabée in Roanne, Roannais
By purefrancenow | March 4, 2010
The annual ‘Salon du Tourisme’ in Roanne is back again this March in the heart of the beautiful Roannais.
Staged at the new, impressive Scarabee event centre, this special show is a great opportunity for different businesses from around the Roannais, and nearby regions, to present their products and services.
This 3-day show with over 90 exhibitors offers great ideas and choices for all aspects of holidaying in this superb region in the Rhône-Alpes, and also for discovering some great regional food and wine specialities.

Topics: Côte Roannaise, Le Roannais, News, Rhone-Alpes, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Escape to the Roannais
By purefrancenow | February 20, 2010
Escape to the Roannais with our specialist regional week-end holiday and event partner – ‘Escapades’.
For more information on this professional, quality company visit their website direct, as above.
Or, alternatively, contact Purefrancenow at www.purefrancenow.com and email us direct to: info@purefrancenow.com

Also visit our dedicated page of information about some specially selected Escapades opportunities, and discover the Roannais with us ! - ‘Pure Escape Days ‘
__________________________________________________________________________
Topics: purefrancenow | No Comments »
Discover The Beautiful Roannais
By purefrancenow | February 10, 2010
A little help with knowing a bit more about the Roannais in the Rhone-Alpes, and what this beautiful region has to offer visitors is easily available at ‘Le Roannais Tourisme’ – the official site of the region’s tourist information bureau.

Check it out! There’s also an English version complete with video links, and more.
You can also access via a direct link from our Purefrancenow ‘Home Page’ on the right-hand side under ‘Websites Of Interest’.

____________________________________________________________________________
Topics: Côte Roannaise, Le Roannais, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
More Art News from Purefrancenow
By purefrancenow | February 4, 2010
Hot News!!
Mike Ford, featured in the Pure Art Gallery, has 4 winning images in ‘Shot Up North 2009 – 2010′
‘Shot Up North’, and the “SUN Awards” celebrate and reward the best commercial photography in the UK regions, working in the disciplines of Advertising, Design, Fashion or Editorial.

Mike has also recently produced a new photo-image book called ‘Miceal’s Eyes’ – take a look, it’s good!
Mike Ford found his artistic passion and vision when a career change took him from Yorkshire to London in the 1970’s. For five years he travelled the world as assistant to the celebrated fashion photographer Robert Belton, and Mike regards this time as an awakening – his stimulus to produce striking commercial images.
He has also become a grandad and has celebrated the birth of his new grandson, Oscar, with some excellent, creative photographic imagery – congratulations, Mike!

Mike has exhibited at the Geras Tousignant Gallery and Spectrum in San Francisco, USA, and numerous galleries close to his home in France.
He has recently completed a major show in Dubai. Exhibitions are also planned for London and Australia in 2009.

Topics: Art, Design and Photography, Pure Art Gallery | No Comments »
New Art Show at Ceysson Gallery, Saint Etienne, Rhône-Alpes
By purefrancenow | January 27, 2010
An excellent new art show, featuring the work of some of the best Artists in France is now in progress at the Bernard Ceysson Gallery in Saint Etienne, Rhône-Alpes.

Jean Villevieille – Multiples
December 09, 2009 – March 06, 2010
Artists :
Atelier Jean Villevieille
Claude Viallat,
Patrick Saytour, .
Ivan Messac,
Robert Janitz,
Daniel Dezeuze,
Franck Chalendard.
____________________________________________________________________________

Claude Viallat ©
Viallat Claude, born in Nîmes in 1936, is a contemporary french painter. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Montpellier from 1955 to 1959, then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1962-63, in Raymond Legueult’s workshop.
In 1966, Claude Viallat adopts a process based on fingerprints, which shall enter into a critical
radical of the lyrical abstraction and geometric (in technique called All-over).
A neutral form is repeated on a free canvas without frame determining the composition of the work. In 1969, he was a founder member of Supports / Surfaces.
In addition to the growing success of its exhibitions in France (at the Pompidou Center in 1982) and abroad (Venice Biennale in 1988), he devoted himself to his work as a teacher in the following art schools: Nice, Limoges, Marseille, Nimes (where he was director for many years), then Paris at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris.
Bernard Ceysson Gallery, Saint Etienne

Topics: Art, News, Pure Art Gallery, Rhone-Alpes | No Comments »
Le Cuvage in the snow, Roannais, Rhône-Alpes!
By purefrancenow | January 25, 2010
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 restaurants (including the famous 3 Michelin-starred Troisgros), visits to medieval villages, and trips to France’s fantastic second city, Lyon (only an hour’s car or train journey away.) There’s much more, of course!

Not only is ‘Le Cuvage’ a great place to stay during the summer, but because of its unique situation within the Rhône-Alpes region, it is also perfect all year round.
Opportunities for some fun in the snow during the month’s of December, January, and February, in particular, abound.

‘Le Cuvage’ is only about 35 minutes from the nearest ski-ing facilities at ‘Loge de Gardes’ in the local Madeleine Mountains. This is a superb place for some good family ski-ing or snow-boarding.
There is also an even larger ski station at the Chalmazel resort, only 45 minutes away. With ample scope for all levels of ski-ing prowess here, Chalmazel has good facilities, including restaurant and bar, and all types of ski hire available – it is an extensive, modern ski resort.
_______________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL SKI SEASON HOLIDAY RENTAL AT LE CUVAGE
Ski-ing holidays are fully catered for at ‘Le Cuvage’ with provision for ski equipment storage, and dryers for clothing, footwear, etc. Vehicle rental can easily be organised, including the hire of equipment racks. Transport to and from the local resorts can be arranged, and a ‘pick-up and return’ service to and from regional airports or train stations can also be organised for you if necessary.
This is all part of the extensive facilities and personal service for those individuals or families holidaying at ‘Le Cuvage’ during the winter ski-ing season. For more information please make any enquiries for our Special Ski Season holiday rental at ‘Le Cuvage’ to: info@purefrancenow.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
‘Le Cuvage’ was originally a very large winemaking ‘barn’ which serviced the household of the Chateau des Cresses.

This 18th century building has recently been renovated and converted into three large and magnificent, high quality homes – architecturally designed by a highly regarded and successful local French Architect who specialises in the renovation of ancient buildings and chateau interiors in the Roannais region.
‘Le Cuvage’ is set within the original woodland grounds of the Chateau des Cresses.
The countryside around ‘Le Cuvage’ is extensive, and the whole environment consists of woodland, hills, and farmland.
This superbly renovated and converted dwelling is situated in the French departement of the Loire in the beautiful Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, near the regions of Auvergne, Bourgogne (Burgundy), and the Beaujolais.
‘Le Cuvage’, Maison Deux. is exceptionally comfortable, stylish, and features ‘five-star’ specification throughout.
It is a special place – so try it!
Rent ‘Le Cuvage’ for anytime during the year!
Inspirational Gourmet Weekends
Topics: 3 Night Special Breaks, Côte Roannaise, Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, Rhone-Alpes | Comments Off
The mavellous medieval village of Perreux
By purefrancenow | January 20, 2010
This marvellous medieval hill village, and its traditional buildings, date back to the 16th century.
Please note that all images are copyright of Stéphane Archambault, Associations of Perreux, or the Mayor of Perreux.
Topics: Le Roannais, Perreux | No Comments »




