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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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.

Salon du Tourisme, Roanne

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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 ‘

www.purefrancenow.com

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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’.

www.purefrancenow.com

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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.

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The Pure Art Gallery

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.

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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

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The Pure Art Gallery

‘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.

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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

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‘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!

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Rent ‘Le Cuvage’ for anytime during the year!

Inspirational Gourmet Weekends

Loge de Gardes Ski-ing

Chalmazel Ski Resort

Here it remained until the late 1880’s when the departmental ines were redrawn, and Perreux became part of the Loire region, linking it to Lyon ans Saint Etienne.

This marvellous medieval hill village, and its traditional  buildings, date back to the 16th century.

This is a delightful, characterful place  situated within the Loire region near Roanne in the Rhone-Alpes, and is ideally placed at the gateway to the beautiful Roannais region with its varied farmland, countyside, vineyards, valleys, mountains, and the meandering river Loire.

Simply stunning!

Along with many of the ancient villages here in the Roannais, Perreux has a colourful history.
Perreux has also developed over the last 10 years or so with many of its medieval buildings being careful conserved and sympathetically renovated.

The local council and mayor have also invested in much needed development and renovation throughout the village, and it is now particularly interesting and charming for visitors and tourists.

The new January 2010 Perreux Bulletin is now available.  This yearly publication features many aspects of village life, along with both personal stories, and business features which relate to Perreux.

All details and information of local village and communal tax investments and development accomplished during the previous year are clearly presented, along with the objectives for the communal development work in the following year.

Once again, for the 2010 publication, a locally renowned photographer and designer, Stéphane Archambault, has been involved in the total design and production of this excellent Perreux magazine.

His photography of the village, in particular, clearly emphasises its true beauty and stunning location.

So, there is no doubt that Perreux and the surrounding region of the Roannais is well worth a visit, and is certainly a rewarding place for summer holidays, weekend breaks, or for the location of special business events.

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Exclusive Gourmet Weekends

Special Holiday Rental

Please note that all images are copyright of Stéphane Archambault, Associations of Perreux, or the Mayor of Perreux.

The remarkable design and photographic talent of Stéphane Archambault strikes again! His recently published ‘L’esprit’ magazine is the third in an ongoing yearly series visually extolling the many virtues of the Côte Roannaise through his very perceptive eyes.

A triumph of creativity which captures the essence of this beautiful part of the Rhône-Alpes in France.

In this excellently produced new issue there are, again, many varied editorial pieces covering successful local  businesses, restaurants, amazing art and architecture, individual artists and artisans, stunning chateaux, medieval villages and their history, gardens and surrounding countryside idylls…. plus much more!

For only 5 euros, it’s a steal!

www.purefrancenow.com

www.purefrancenow.com