Pure France Now » Le Roannais

Fun with Fun Cars in Perreux, Roannais!

purefrancenow — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:18:22 +0000

July in the Roannais was a very hot and sunny time this year, and there was plenty of fun to be had, too.

Especially with the yearly ‘Fun Car’ event in Perreux. ‘Petrol head’ excitement amongst the roaring engines, grating gears, diesel fumes and smoke!

All part of the spectacular day on a farm in the countryside near the medieval village of Perruex in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes. The battered and basic ‘fun’ or ‘stock’ cars, as they are called, came in all colours, shapes, and sizes. There was certainly plenty of action and drama!

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The Roannais to Medieval Carcassonne! by Brian Franklin

purefrancenow — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:18:54 +0000

The Roannais has an enviable central location in France which enables pretty reasonable, and easy access to many other parts of Europe – particularly Southern and South West of France, Northern Spain, Pyrenees and the North Eastern coast, and Northern Italy, including the French and Italian Alps.

Excellent autoroute networks throughout the above regions make driving holidays very easy and convenient, and, of course, there are lots of interesting places to visit and stop-over for the night to break the journey.

On our route to Carcassonne you also get the chance to cross the absolutely breathtaking Pont Millau, the new suspension bridge designed by British architect, Norman Foster, and built by the same company which constructed the Eiffel Tower. Successful Anglo-French co-operation at its very best !

So, from the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes the beautiful Medieval city of Carcassonne is less than 4 hours drive away. The autoroute is excellent.

Our holiday voyage was part of a 6-day break which we made enroute to the vibrant city of Barcelona, and which included a stop-over in Figueres to visit the brilliant Dali Theatre-Museum, and a day trip to Salavador Dali’s house in the old fishing village of Cadaqués. A great experience.

So more to come on all this in my next series of blogs.

Meanwhile, our first visit (it will not be our last !) to Carcassonne was absolute magic. The ancient fortified city and castle of Carcassonne is stunning. Luckily the normally huge numbers of tourists were at a minimum when we arrived, so we were able to walk around with ease, and take in all the medieval wonders. Full of traditional, old French character, and incredible buildings and architecture.

Carcassonne is a fortified French town in the Aude department of France.
It is separated into the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, and main township. The folk etymology – involving a châtelaine named Carcas, a ruse ending a siege and the joyous ringing of bells (“Carcas sona”) – though memorialized in a neo-Gothic sculpture of Madame Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate, is of modern invention. The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

There is obviously so much about the ancient history of Carcassonne which is interesting, so if you google ‘Carcassonne’, you’ll be sure to find it !

We spent the whole day there, strolling around the narrow, medieval streets of the ancient city, visiting the amazing castle, and walking along its fortified ramparts with stunning panoramic views across the lower township and countryside.

Afterward we discovered a superb restaurant for lunch, with a table situated in dappled sunlight under ancient olive trees, set in medieval surroundings oozing age-old history. A perfect time. A beautiful place !

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Next stop : Salvador Dali’s Country – His Theatre-Musée in Figueres, and his house in Cadaqués. So look out for our blog enroute to Barcelona !

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Thierry’s Bar in Perreux, Roannais

purefrancenow — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:37:22 +0000

Thierry’s Bar in Perreux is virtually the centre of village life here, and certainly has been for many years.

This traditional French bar and cafe-restaurant has now moved from its original location, and into the old Marie’s (Mayor’s) building and offices.

Now even more central, and with newer, contemporary, larger interior, this popular local watering hole is an important part of the life-blood of this beautiful medieval hill village.

Great value for money, and with an easy atmosphere, Thierry’s Bar, run very efficiently by Thierry, himself, and his wife Silvie, is a great place to watch the village world go by on a typically sunny day whilst sipping your favourite cool drink on the terrace.

Worth a visit, before or after a walk through the ancient streets of Perreux !

The Marvellous Medieval Village of Perreux in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes

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Fête des Classes in Perreux, Roannais by Brian Franklin

purefrancenow — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:51:21 +0000

Every year in most of the villages of France they celebrate that year’s age groups who have reached their first or next 10 years. This year it was the turn of ’0′ – those born with a zero at the end of their birth year. They celebrate all those that have been born in 2010, and those who have now reached the age of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, etc.

In our own ancient village of Perreux this year during one special day in May all the different age group categories enjoyed the ‘Fête de Classes’ with individual floats, themed to each age.

The carnival atmosphere was tremendous, along with a very hot, blue sky, sunny day. It was great fun!

This year our own son, Ellis, who was born in the Millenium year 2000 celebrated his tenth year with friends. Their themed dress and float was based on astronauts complete with rocket. In fact, I should certainly have done it myself this year, as I was born in 1950, and will be 60 this year (however, I try not to remind myself too much about the passing year’s !!)

It is a time of celebration and fun, but one also of merriment, dancing, drinking, and eating. A truly exceptional day.

I enjoyed myself, too, along with my wife, Lucy, and some of our good French friends.

I can honestly say it was a magical day for all of us, especially Ellis. And several perfectly grilled Merguez sausages were eaten, washed down with some excellently chilled lager!

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Summer is on its way at Le Cuvage in the Roannais!

purefrancenow — Tue, 04 May 2010 15:37:23 +0000

Yes, we can all start looking forward to some more holiday fun in the Roannais. ‘Le Cuvage’, its wooded gardens, and heated swimming pool are already looking good. The magnolia, lilac, and wisteria are all in full bloom, and filling the air with their flowery scents.

Even the swimming pool has awoken from its winter slumbers, and was a wonderful 25 degrees last week. The outside temperature went up to 30 degrees plus. This of course meant that our 9 year old son, Ellis turned back into a frog again, and had a great time in the bath-like waters!

We hope this summer will be as hot and sunny as last year’s, which, of course, was much appreciated by all our holiday guests who had a great time here in the Roannais. In fact, several have became good friends, and are returning again for a second year!

Le Cuvage is a great place, and ideal for a very comfortable base for exploring all that the beautiful Roannais region has got to offer, and there’s alot!

Take a look at our dedicated website: www.purefrancenow, and also have a read through a few of our blogs and news reports for more information and a personal perspective on all aspects of the locale – activities, villages, restaurants, food, wine, cheese, entertainment, chateaux, lakes and country scenery, plus nearby towns and cities to visit.

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Restaurant La Rocadine in the Roannais

purefrancenow — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:30:17 +0000

This month La Rocadine has once again hosted another successful evening soirée. A local investment club monthly reunion was organised at the restaurant which specialises in high quality traditional French cuisine such as ‘Foie Gras’ and ‘Boeuf de Charolaise’.

Recently revamped and redecorated, La Rocadine once again surpassed expectations.

Specialities : foie gras, viande charolaise, poissons, desserts maison. Closed Sundays, Saturday lunchtime, Wednesday evening, and Bank Holidays Open daytime 12.00 to 1.30pm, evening from 9.00pm (summer), and from 8.45pm (winter). Menu – 12€ (during the week) to 34€.Menu for children 10€ (up to 10 years) Groups 60 max. Handicap access. Terrace. Take-away Service: foie gras,terrine, poissons, viandes, dessert. Order 1 week in advance.

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 are eating and enjoying themselves there!

Visit: Purefrancenow Roannais Directory – La Rocadine

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The Magnificent Hunting Lodge in the Roannais! by Brian Franklin

purefrancenow — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:11:42 +0000

Yes, we’re back once more at ‘La Loge’ – a magnificent hunting lodge with all its vast lakes and woodland. An absolute paradise for creatures great and small!

For the last year, or more, this countryside wonderland has lived and prospered without a visit from us, and we have certainly missed its wild embrace.

But during this year’s long Easter week-end we have at last walked its by-ways, breathed its fresh, aromatic air, and floated on its waters, once again.

Spring has arrived now with a vengeance, and the trees and waterside grasses are budding and greening up. Many varieties of waterfowl are also evident, including huge numbers of ducks, mating swans, and moor hens, along with huge herons flying majestically overhead.

Despite the regional water table being hit with the very hot and dry summer of last year, and insufficient rainful during this last winter the persistence of the renowned ‘ragondin’ is ever-present, with tell-tale footprints in the mud and freshly-dug holes in the dried mud of the embankments.

The beaver-like ‘ragondin’ is a big pest in these parts, and needs constant culling. Michel, our good hunter-friend always has his pistol at the ready!

He tells us that during the previous week he shot and killed one which was over 2 metres long!

All part of the rugged, and down-to-earth reality of estate management and the ever-vigilance of the hunter’s life.

Probably, however, a little too bloody and red in tooth and claw for my wife, Lucy!

Ellis, our 9 year-old son, on the other hand, is in a magical world – a real-life adventure kingdom.

Made even more incredible and full of fun this time since Michel gave him some lessons on shooting with both rifle and pistol.

Worryingly, Ellis was exceedingly good at it, and probably a little too enthusiatic about it all for my wife’s liking!

We all had a great traipse through the woodland, and once again, Michel continued to explain about the different plant life around us. There were many tracks of deer and wild boar, too, and although I have experienced a little duck shooting and deer-stalking, I have never had the good fortune of being involved in a wild boar hunt, despite having invitations to do so. Hopefully this year will be the first time!

Michel, Ellis, and I went off in one of the boats across the lake (the English boys doing the paddling (I think this is traditional!), while Michel relaxed in the bows and directed operations.

We got back to the lodge, and sat outside under rough beams and eaves, and finished off with an Easter gateau (made by Lucy), and some refreshing rosé wine ( a taste perhaps, of a long, hot summer to come!)

It was a great day. We’ll be back!

Maison Fromagerie Mons revisited in the Roannais

purefrancenow — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:23:36 +0000

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

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Purefrancenow News from the Roannais

purefrancenow — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:04:30 +0000

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

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Speciality olive oils, vinegars, and mustards in the Roannais

purefrancenow — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:58:37 +0000

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.

www. huile-leblanc.com

The famous J.Leblanc oils in the Roannais – by Lucy Franklin

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