Colline du Colombier never ceases to enthrall. Situated in a countryside idyll in the nearby region of Southern Burgundy (Sud Bourgogne), and close to the beautiful village of Iguerande.

This opportunity for another visit was my wife’s birthday, so we went with great anticipation, and were most definitely not disappointed!

My wife, Lucy, had the ‘Menu en Novembre’

Pisé de saumon et de légumes frais

Truite à peine fumée, à l’oseille

Sablé à la banane et au chocolat

I had ‘Le Menu “Rendezvous” ‘

Salade Carmélite

Le lièvre à la royale

Gratin d’oranges ” Madame France”

Our son, Ellis, had ‘Le Menu pour les enfants’ which consisted of a Charolais beef steak with potatoes, followed by ‘Dariole au Chocolat’ with vanilla ice cream – he loved it!!

Lucy and I started with a white wine kir (flavoured mûre), followed by an exceptional red wine, selected by La Maison Troisgros – Saint Joseph 2007 by Paul Jaboulet.

With the sun shining, amazing surroundings, impeccable food, and efficient, infor,al service, it was a very good birthday celebration !

We’ll be going again, when another good excuse in the calendar occurs !

Take a look at our previous editorials about this delightful restaurant at:

More gastronomic delicacies with the family Troisgros

Troisgros – Their new restaurant, near Roanne, Rhône-Alpes

Lunch at La Colline du Colombier, Iguerande by Brian Franklin

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The gastronomic jewel of Roanne and the Roannais!

It is an opportunity and a pleasure for all the restaurants, producers, and suppliers to open their doors to the public.

To demonstrate their gastronomic talents and artistic presentation.

This highly successful festival harmonises the art of good food with the fun of theatre, music, and entertainment.  These festivities carry on throughout the month of October in the varied and various establishments in the Roannais.

A celebration of good food, wine, successful business partnerships, conviviality and friendship.

It brings the whole community together with one purpose, at least for one whole month!

If you happen to be in the Roannais region during this October, just try one or two of the local restaurants that are supporting this event, and have fun while you enjoy excellent regional cuisine!

Visit www.roannetableouverte.com or telephone for more information on 0033 (0) 477 23 20 57

The quality of gastronomy in the Roannais region is renowned for its excellence – experience it for yourselves this October, or visit the region for your holiday, or for your next business or club event.

Visit www.purefrancenow.com for more information on all aspects of Roanne, the Roannais, in the Rhône-Alpes.

A convivial Bar-Brasserie set in a prime position right in the heart of the Place Georges Clemenceau.This attractive square is is one of Roanne’s most impressive, flanked on one side by the church St.Etienne, and on the other, by the ancient Roanne Chateau, and an amazing ‘trompe l’oeil’ wall mural reflecting its rich, historical past.

There are also a couple of contemporary designed water features with dramatic fountains, which contrast with the surrounding medieval buildings.

‘Le Clemenceau’ is a great place for lunch, and good value, too!

They do a ‘plat du jour’ for 6.95€ which changes daily. Within this, you can choose from a selection of desserts, and downed with a glass of chilled rosé or ‘biére préssion’. They are open 7 days out of 7, too! Good business approach!!

The atmosphere is extremely friendly and relaxed, which, of course, partly explains its popularity with local business men and women, as well as shoppers, tourists, and families (particularly during the week-end).

Visit ‘Le Clemenceau’ in our ‘Restaurant’ section within the ‘Roannais Directory‘ at www.purefrancenow.com for more details on this great place!

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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.

Purefrancenow Directory – La Rocadine

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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

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Cuisine gastronomique. Specialities: Charolais: Sirloin of beef with pepper sauce, variety of sea fish, fresh grenouilles (frogs). Closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. Open Tuesday evening in July/August. Menus of 21€ (except Sunday and fete days) to 67€. Children’s menu 10.5€. Service mid-day to 1.30pm and evening to 9.30pm (summer), and 9.00pm (winter). Groups 24 max. Terrasse. Lawned play area for children. Take-away Service for business or private receptions (order 2 or 3 days in advance).

Highly recommended by Purefrancenow. We have visited this superb restaurant many times with family and friends over the last 12 years, and have never been disappointed. On warm sunny days during the summer, eating out in the garden, under the shade of beautiful trees, is simply a delight. The quality of their beef and ‘Grenouilles’ dishes are particularly excellent. Chef de Cuisine, Alain Rousseau, has a superb approach to presentation, and all is served in extremely convivial surroundings with style and panache. Brigitte Rousseau, ensures an efficient and friendly front of house reception, and a confident, guiding service through the menu. Pure pleasure!

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One of the many excellent restaurants in this region that, amazingly, we have never visited. And yet, all our French friends and food connoisseurs have always recommended the place.

In fact, they have often described L’Astrée as second only to the famous Troisgros just down the road from it.

Anyway, we went recently on the invitation of our good friend, Jean Marc Dublé, who treated us to an exceptionally delightful evening dinner.

It did not disappoint.

L’Astrée is a superb rendezvous for gastronomes. Owner-Chef Simon Falcoz has a great creative touch, and his cuisine is innovative. We enjoyed a perfect meal in comfortable, contemporary surroundings, with convivial, professional table service, and overseen by the charming attentiveness of Simons wife, Martine.

The choice of menu was superb, and it was difficult to decide – it all looked very good, of course!

Menu Epicurien was tempting. At 45 euros, it also seemed extremely reasonable. This included hors d’œuvres, entrée, poisson au viande, fromage, dessert.

Entrée

Le duo de foie gras l’un “ cuit au naturel au touchon” compote de figues au Porto, l’autre poêlé au gingembre

Viande

Les ris veau rôtis, dores au sesame, jus simple et réduction de Porto

Wine accompaniment: with our entrée we had St. Nicholas de Bourgueil Domaine du Fondis 2009 (a fresh crisp white), and with our Viande we had Vin de Pays d’Oc Les Creisses 2006 (a full bodied, plummy red). Both excellent choices, and to be recommended.

A most enjoyable fine dining experience with good company – you can’t beat it!

L’Astrée, 17 Bis Cours République, 42300 Roanne, Tel: 04 77 72 74 22:

Menu du déjeuner à 18Euros. 
· Menus à 26 et à 48Euros. 
· À la carte comptez de 30 à 45Euros. 
· Menu enfant à 13Euros. 
· Service de 12h à 13h30 et de 19h30 à 21h. 
· Très belle cave à vins. 
· Accueil charmant de Martine Falcoz. 
· Décoration moderne et mobilier confortable. 
· Réservation indispensable.

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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

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This is a Regional Directory listing of recommended restaurants, cafes, shops, services, suppliers and businesses in the Roannais region of the Rhône-Alpes.

All designed to assist people, visiting, holidaying, or living in the Roannais, to locate and access some of the best Businesses and Services in this superb region of France.

Purefrancenow has selected and recommended these businesses primarily on the basis of Quality, Service, Price, and their local Reputation. Often, too, on the fact that Purefrancenow have already used these businesses or services ourselves, or, for example, have visted and dined at the restaurants listed.

More detailed feedback and commentary, relating to Purefrancenow experience and recommendation may also be found in the Purefrancenow News and Reviews ‘Blog’ on our website: www.purefrancenow.com

A variety of businesses are included, and Purefrancenow will continue to select and add new recommended entries to the directory as we discover, experience, and assess each individual business and service.

Our Directory Listing will include:  Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Shops, Tourism and Leisure, Gîte Rental, Hotels, and all types of Home and Business Services.

The Purefrancenow Roannais Directory

If You Are A Business Or Service Operating Within The Roannais Region And You Would Like To Be Considered For A Listing Within Our Directory Then Please Contact Us By Email : info@purefrancenow.com

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Invited and treated by our excellent friend, Jean-Marc Dublé, to some superb Troisgros creativity, this was a wonderful opportunity for an exquisite fine-dining experience at Colline du Colombier.

Part of the famous Troisgros family’s restaurant empire, Colline du Colombier is further proof (if you needed one, of course!) that Michel Troisgros and his restaurant and kitchen entourage can put on a great show !

Luckily and surprisingly we were also ‘served’ in part by a very attentive Michel Troisgros and his wife Marie-Pierre who were both in residence, and enjoying a rare escape, and some fun, from their main restaurant of international repute and 3 Michelin Star rating – Maison Troisgros in Roanne.

The simplicity and quality of the food at Colline du Colombier, situated near the village of Iguerande is remarkable.

Michel Troigros also came and sat at our table to discuss his enthusiasm for ‘truffes’ (truffles) and passed around a large box of some very expensive white ones for us to savour the unusual and delicate aroma. The mushroom soup entrée was particularly amazing ! As was the ‘Cannelloni de potimarron aux noix’, and ‘Piéce de rumsteck au cassis’.

The environment is just wonderful – combination of ‘old barn’ with modern minimalist touches. The grounds around this restaurant are a little paradise of ‘nature’ And even in the middle of Autumn has a marvellous magic to it all.

A pure escape into a world of food and nature !

Visit the Maison Troisgros website : www.troisgros.fr

Also take a look at our Purefrancenow News and Reports:  Maison Troisgros, Le Central, and Colline du Colombier

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