Purefrancenow was asked to organise this wine-tasting event by Meeting Protocol Worldwide for one of their international clients during a major exhibition at the Lyon Congress Centre.

The wines chosen by our award winning sommelier were also specially selected for each course of the evening dinner at the Cour des Loges.

Beautiful surroundings, elegant atmosphere, superb food, top quality wines, and good company – an absolute recipe for success for any company wanting to treat and impress their clients at any time of the year.

Visit our recent pre-editorial on this event at:  Wine Tasting Event by Purefrancenow in Lyon

Purefrancenow specialises in the organisation and arrangement of tailor-made wine and gastronomic events in Lyon and the surrounding region, including the Roannais and the Beaujolais. We will organise unique events for both private and business occasions.

Provide the brief and Purefrancenow will provide a successful solution!

We will also arrange all accommodation and transportation according to your detailed requirements, and we are here to help with creative suggestions, including themes for any event. All fully detailed and very competitively costed in a ‘Purefrancenow Proposal’ document for your assessment and agreement.

Purefrancenow has an office base in the Rhône-Alpes region, near Lyon, so we are on the spot to service any event requirement. We have both English and French-speaking personnel on the ground to assist in all arrangements and project control throughout.

We also have reliable, ‘tried and tested’ event service companies within our ‘service’ portfolio who we use for different aspects of any event, such as transportation (eg coaches and limousines, even planes and helicopters!), variety of entertainment options, design and decoration, accommodation, venues, specialist catering and menu preparation, including, of course, the best French wine sommeliers/oenologists, and more!

Wine-tasting Event by Purefrancenow in Lyon

Sélection John Euvrard

If you wish to discuss an event idea with us, and would like us to provide an initial proposal, please contact us direct:  info@purefrancenow.com

www.purefrancenow.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Not ones for missing an opportunity, we booked into Château de Champlong for a delightful evening dinner. All the better, because our close friends, Dale and Clare Thompson, were treating us to the whole soiree as a special belated birthday treat for me. What a great idea!

Good company, good food, good wine, in a great environment. It doesn’t get much better than that! And the anticipated occasion did not disappoint.

Château de Champlong, as most places, always look their best on a beautiful, warm, sunny evening. As we drove up the driveway, the chateau and its grounds looked stunning in the evening sunlight.

Dale and Clare had heard about us singing the praises of Olivier and Véronique Boizet’s Chateau restaurant and 4-star hotel many times before. They wanted to experience it and to find out if it was all true. They weren’t  disappointed.

After our excellent meal we returned to the lounge and bar for digestifs, and to all our delights Olivier Boizet arrived and asked if we would like to visit his ancient wine cave beneath the château for another after-dinner drink. We couldn’t say no to this one!

It was a fascinating place, and a privilege to be invited into the inner sanctum of the château’s high quality wine collection.

It was a great pleasure and lots of fun for all of us. We all went home very happy!!

Very many thanks to Dale and Clare!

For our evening meal we had decided on the ‘Saveurs Festives’ menu with 2 services and wine selected for each course by Champlong’s sommelier. A Perfect combination of flavours!

Château de Champlong

www.purefrancenow.com

_____________________________________________________________________

Olivier Boizet has a passion for flavour and respects his ingredients; his cuisine is modelled on what he himself likes to eat: gourmet food, an author’s cuisine, created in harmony with the seasons.

A cuisine which is up-to-date but not based on passing fads, contemporary but with no fashionable flourishes. Creativity at its essence, and a sense of flavour.

He is in a region where the soil is rich and he has special relationships with all his suppliers who are often small producers.

He is inspired by seasonal change and reinvents French-inspired dishes, allowing the ingredients to express every one of their subtle nuances.

The Château de Champlong, located right in the heart of the Roannais region, is set in lush green countryside. 
This charming 17th century mansion, converted into a château in the 18^th century and refurbished throughout by its owners, restaurateurs proud of their native region, offers the unique combination of a warm family atmosphere and a restaurant renowned throughout the entire region. Supported by their dynamic team, Véronique and Olivier Boizet’s hospitality is welcoming and personalised: the art of hospitality Roannais-style!

Château de Champlong 4- star hotel is also special.

The theme of spices runs through twelve distinct and welcoming rooms, tucked away inside the Château, some in the attic spaces.
Saffron, Star Anise, Nutmeg, Malabar Pepper, Coriander, Cardamom, Poppy Seed, Liquorice, Mace, Aniseed, Cinnamon and Paprika, names which evoke distant horizons, a veritable invitation to travel…
They all enjoy natural light and views over the grounds with its hundred-year-old trees, and are the perfect haven of peace. They are light and spacious, with a decidedly contemporary yet elegant decor. Dark wood and dashes of warm colour combine to produce a feeling of sweet harmony, an ideal restfulness for body and spirit.

They all boast a jet shower or bath, bathrobe, telephone, free Wifi Internet connection, flat-screen TV, safe, mini-bar and a welcome basket (provided free of charge).

Château de Champlong

The Roannais Directory

www.purefrancenow.com

_________________________________________________________________________

In the heart of the Roanais, Rhône-Alpes, Chateau de Champlong is a great place for a special birthday or anniversary dinner.

And no more so than when I was celebrating my 60th birthday there at the beginning of October. I was even given my own birthday desert!!

Great fun !

For any special occasion , whether personal or business, Olivier and Veronique Boizet have created a great environment with excellent cuisine.

There is much to admire at the 15th century Chateau de Champlong, set in a tranquil garden paradise in the heart of the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes. Our complimentary expletives can only do it limited justice! A superb, stylishly presented establishment, run by a wonderful married couple – Olivier Boizet, ‘chef de cuisine’, and his wife, Veronique, mâitre d’hôtel.

Original, quality cuisine served with exceptional panache.

Just has to be visited !

Purefrancenow Roannais Directory – Chateau de Champlong. Plus special Reviews !!

www.purefrancenow.com

______________________________________________________________________________

Brian Franklin, Director of Purefrancenow, had a personal tour of the new Hotel facilities during May 2009, and visited every room. A man with many air miles of international travel under his belt, along with extensive experience of some of the UK and Europe’s top quality hotels, Brian was extremely impressed with Château de Champlong’s quality of approach, architectural finish, and interior design style for their new hotel.

A picture is better than a thousand words, and tells the story with more impact. The reality of Château de Champlong’s hotel offerance is, of course, even more impressive!

Purfrancenow announced the opening of the Château de Champlong’s three-star hotel at the end of March, but, to be fair, this is the first time they have managed to visit for more accurate editorial purposes.

The theme for the 12 hotel bedrooms is based on the names of spices, which relates perfectly to Olivier Boizet’s gastronomique creations in the Château’s kitchen. The regional reputation for excellent cuisine is well known.

The spice French names used, which gives them an additional air of romantacism, are; SAFRAN, RÉGLISSE, CARDAMOME, CORIANDRE, PAVOT BLEU, POIVRE DE MALABAR, MUSCADE, BADIANE, PAPRIKA, CANNELLE, ANIS, MACIS.

All rooms are extremely well equipped, as you would expect. In fact the overall quality and presentation is o good that the standard of accommodation and hotel experience you receive is more like five-star!

No expense has been spared in ensuring absolute comfort, service, and ‘moody’ contemporary ambience for their guests.

The cost of staying at Château de Champlong for a night or week-end will not break the bank, either!

Rooms are very reasonably priced from 85€ per night.

For more information on Chateau de Champlong go to their website at www.chateau-de-champlong.com

Also, if you want an inspirational Gourmet Week-end, combining some of the best of the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes, including Château de Champlong, then let Purefrancenow give you a very special, personal treat – visit Purefrancenow Gourmet Week-ends.

Purefrancenow also provide a personally tailored service for these, and other, week-end breaks, or stays during the week, so try us – you won’t regret it!

Costs, timescales, and type of break can be customised according to your individual requirements or special occasion, including golf, wine and cheese tasting, visits to medieval villages, or to cities like Lyon and Vichy.

Purefrancenow our now offering ‘Amazing Autumn Sensation’ 3-day breaks at ‘Le Cuvage’ (a beautifully converted wine-making barn), combined with a ‘gourmet dinner’ at Château de Champlong, and other ‘tailored’ activities in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes.

This Autumn opportunity at ‘Le Cuvage’ is available for reservation now, September to November 2009 for couples or 4 to 6 persons. A 10% discount and champagne welcome is offered for early bookings!

Contact Brian Franklin, personally, at Purefrancenow for more information and a friendly, informal explanation on how it all works, on these and other opportunities in the Roannais: info@purefracenow.com

This successful and remarkable place has now moved up to new heights of service and pleasure!

Renowned for the wonderful gastronomique cuisine of owner and chef, Olivier Boizet, this high quality establishment now offers a very wide range of facilities to both local and international clientele.

Whether for business, vacation, or just pure pleasure Château de Champlong is certainly one of those places that must be seriously considered.

Oliver Boizet and his wife, Véronique have a unique approach to their business and service, whether for their excellent restaurant or their business and wedding events at the ‘Le Cuvage’. Chateau de Champlong has developed over time. And now has come of age in a big way!

Le Château de Champlong’s new hotel opened in the main Château building on 12th March, 2009 with 12 top quality rooms now available for their guest’s comfort. And reflecting the cookery talents of Olivier Boizet, and the quality of Chateau de Champlong’s cuisine, these 12 rooms have been imaginatively baed on the theme of ‘épices’ (spices).

All rooms have been given the name of an individual spice.

These are: Safran, Badiane, Muscade, Poivre de Malabar, Coriandre, Cardamome, Pavot Bleu, Réglisse, Macis, Anis, Cannelle, Paprika.

All rooms are beautifully furnished, and equipped with shower and bath, wifi, mini bar, safe, dressing gown and duvet, flat screen T.V.

Breakfast is available from 7.30am to 10.00am in the Château salon ‘Table d’hôtes’.

Full details are available on the new, updated Chateau de Champlong website: le Chateau de Champlong Hôtel

Purefrancenow will also arrange special business, private, and celebration events at Chateau de Champlong, including week-end holiday breaks with a selection of local activities, including golf and gourmet week-ends. Purefrancenow Gourmet Week-ends. More on this superb, successful establshment with a great reputation will be written and presented by Purefrancenow soon!

Château de Champlong

Purefrancenow Restaurant Directory

www.purefrancenow.com

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

The Hotel des Lys is a superbly run, 3 -star quality (Logis de France) establishment, newly refurbished to ensure a very comfortable and welcoming stay for their guests.

It is extremely well-placed in the pleasant village of Le Coteau, close to the large township of Roanne.

There is also conveniently easy access to the railway station in Le Coteau, and the main auto routes to Paris, Lyon, Saint Etienne, Clermont-Ferrand, Vichy, and the direct routes to the French and Swiss Alpes, and the south of France.

Hotel des Lys is beautifully situated facing a small tree-lined park, and within walking distance of local shops, amenities, entertainment, and commercial zones. Roanne canal port, and the famous river la Loire are also close by.

The proprietors, Jean-Philippe and Angélique Lafarge, have stylishly refurbished this regionally well-known hotel. They are exceptionally experienced and qualified in the hotel and catering business, having developed their expertise from the famous ‘Institut Vatel’, and with over 20 years of professional hotel and catering experience.

Their very successful careers have now led them to develop the Hotel des Lys into a high quality, contemporary establishment with the emphasis on ‘best’ service, and convivial atmosphere.

The Hotel des Lys has 18 large, modern, double bedrooms, including two family bedrooms for 2 or 3 persons.

All guest rooms are fully-equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen, satellite TV, min-bar, telephone, free and unlimited wi-fi access.

Welcoming breakfast room, and separate hotel restaurant for lunch or evening dining. Roannais Hotel Directory

Visit the Hotel des Lys website for more detailed information and reservations www.hotel-des-lys.com
The Hotel des Lys is highly suitable for both leisure-travellers, holidaymakers, and business people alike. Ideal for small conferences, seminars, wedding receptions, and special occasions of any kind, with a very large 140 sq.m banqueting and presentation suite, totally flexible seating and table arrangements, including equipment supplied as required.

A smaller meeting and seminar room is also available. A buffet/banqueting service can be provided for all private and business functions.

Visit: Purefrancenow Business Events and Purefrancenow Celebration Events%0

This comfortable and stylish 3-star residence, with an ‘eclectic elegance’, certainly has what it takes to ensure that you have a very pleasant stay.

Ideally situated with easy access to the main Roanne railway station, and close to some of the best restaurants in Roanne and the Roannais region, Rhône-Alpes. For example, the internationally famous, 3-Michelin-starred restaurant La Maison Troisgros, and it’s sister restaurant, Le Central.

All shops and amenities of Roanne are conveniently close by. The Grand Hotel offers exceptional service in warm, convivial surroundings, with refined comfort.

Deluxe air-conditioned guest rooms, equipped with satellite TV. Closed circuit video-monitored parking facilities. Welcoming, lively bar. Buffet breakfast. Purefrancenow Roannais Directory

This superb, well-located hotel is highly suitable for holiday makers, leisure-travellers, and business people, alike.

There are 2 large meeting and presentation rooms available. Ideal for small conferences and seminars, with totally flexible seating and table arrangements, and equipment. A buffet/banqueting service is also available for all private or business functions. Roannais Business Events

Visit Le Grand Hotel website for more information and reservations www.grand-hotel-roanne.fr

More information on the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes: holidays, gourmet week-ends, restaurants, accommodation, events, wine and food, fun, property, and business opportunities