Le Cuvage Story: ‘Keeping Your Head Above Water’ by Brian Franklin
By purefrancenow | July 25, 2011
Continuing on from my last month’s article about our renovation and conversion of ‘Le Cuvage’ in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, things have moved along rapidly.
Our French friends, Jean-François and Adeline, co-partners in this exciting joint project, have now moved into their part of Le Cuvage.
Their new home looked great!
Although each of the three dwellings, being created out of this original ‘pressoir’ (wine-making barn) was individually planned and designed differently, the essential style and concept, led by our French architect, was consistently followed throughout each interior for a ‘co-ordinated ‘look’.
Our friends stepped over their threshold and moved into their new home before us at the end of October 2005.
This was purposely staged to be completed first so that they could move from their current smaller home at the ‘Pavillon de Chasse’ (hunting lodge), in part of the original grounds and courtyard of the Chateau des Cresses. Of course, unlike us at the time, Jean- François and Adeline lived in France, so it was essential that they ‘moved in’ first.
A young couple with modern attitudes, their new home in ‘Le Cuvage’ reflected an imaginative and contemporary ‘flavour’, with ‘lacquer-sealed concrete floor throughout the ground floor, stunning red kitchen, and a generally ‘fun’ atmosphere about the place.
We were impressed with their interior treatment and the practicality of Jean-François who had completed much of the flooring, painting, and lighting installations himself. As I have said previously, he is a useful, ‘hands-on’ guy (I have to admit with some envy!)Anyway, in the meantime, whilst our friends moved in, we moved on…!
Read the full article at: www.frenchlife.com – The Cuvage Story
Topics: France, Le Roannais, Property, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Bar and Brasserie Clemenceau in Roanne, Roannais
By purefrancenow | July 14, 2011
‘Le Clemenceau is a Bar and Brasserie with panache – a great place to chill-out with a coffee or beer on a sunny Roannais day. Great for a quick lunch, too!
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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Topics: Restaurant, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Restaurant la Rocadine in Perreux, Roannais
By purefrancenow | July 8, 2011
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!
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
Topics: Food, Le Roannais, Perreux, Restaurant | No Comments »
From Dubai to Château de Champlong in the Roannais by Brian Franklin
By purefrancenow | June 29, 2011
Here at Purefrancenow we always take the chance to emphasise great experiences we have had, especially those we have had with very good friends. It is particularly the case in this instance when they are friends who have travelled all the way from Dubai to visit us here in the Roannais as part of a 2 week French sojourn.
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!
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Topics: Côte Roannaise, Food, Hotels, Le Roannais, Restaurant, Wine, fun | No Comments »
Le Cuvage Story: ‘The Finishing Touches’ by Brian Franklin
By purefrancenow | June 28, 2011
One of the salient reasons our Le Cuvage project progressed with such confidence and competence was the planning. We employed a French quantity surveyor, along with an independent project assessor, conducteur/ driver, as our French friends called him.
Before we moved a single lump of earth or hacked into any structure, we commissioned a comprehensive build programme assessment, and cost estimate by a specialist building economiste. He organised devis (quotations) from a minimum of three different companies before making any recommendations and final selections.
The companies were assessed on experience, quality, reputation and approach, as well as price.
This pre-estimate and budget confirmation covered all the key areas of build including structural works, carpentry, windows and doors, heating and electrics, plumbing, partitioning, plastering, and roofing, etc. The final document was very detailed and professionally put together – in fact, a veritable tombe!
Once decisions were made and contractors chosen, a full critical path was developed for all the different stages of construction and installation.
This was then monitored and reported on every week, along with price control checks which measured contractor invoices against actual production and original quotations.
Any variations or additional work required would be assessed accordingly and quoted for approval by us before any work was commenced.
The initial cost projections for our share of the main works, including architect’s fees and agreed joint external works (but not kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, painting and decorating, and any other special requirements) was approximately £260,000 for our two dwellings (two-thirds of le Cuvage.
Once all the final plans, along with these initial estimates, were fully agreed between all parties then our project was started with a vengeance!
Read the full editorial plus all the previous ones at thisfrenchlife.com – Le Cuvage Story
Topics: Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, Property, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Restaurant de la Loire in the Roannais
By purefrancenow | June 20, 2011
Well worth a lunchtime or evening dinner visit!
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!
Topics: Food, Le Roannais, Restaurant, purefrancenow | No Comments »
The warmest Spring in France since 1900, and in the Roannais!
By purefrancenow | June 1, 2011
Thisfrenchlife.com features a report on the hottest Spring in France since 1900.
Here in the Roannais it has been sizzlingly hot and dry for over 2 months. Temperautures have reached over 30 degrees at ‘Le Cuvage’, Perreux, Roannais.
The recent rain has been very welcome for the regions water supplies, inlcuding the garden. Several of the nearby region’s departements had already imposed restrictions, and hosepipe bans.
We definitely want a hot sunny Summer, but with water, too!!
This French Life: The warmest Spring in France since 1900
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Restaurant L’Astrée in Roanne, the Roannais
By purefrancenow | May 30, 2011
Restaurant L’Astrée in the centre of Roannne in the Roannais.
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.
Topics: Food, Le Roannais, Restaurant, Roanne, Wine | No Comments »
‘Topping Off’ celebrations at Le Cuvage in the Roannais by Brian Franklin
By purefrancenow | May 19, 2011
Over the Autumn in 2005 our ‘Grand Design’ project in the Roannais continued apace. Incredibly, all the work progressed like clockwork.
Even we were amazed at how smoothly things went. Our previous renovation and conversion of The Stables at the Château des Cresses was, to be honest, fraught with various beginner’s problems, mostly due to communication difficulties, although despite being messed about a bit, the result was a success – and we were happy with that.
We expected some difficulties with our first project in France – it went with the territory of taking on a renovation job in a foreign country, relatively far from our base in the `UK. So, when it came to ‘Le Cuvage’, we were more experienced and aware of the many problems likely to occur.
As it was a much bigger and more involved project our approach was, of course, more detailed and professional. We were determined to get this one right form the start!
However, because of our past experiences we could not help being a little apprehensive, constantly expecting a phone call, letter, or e-mail revealing some terrible and fundamental problem which was insurmountable, and, therefore, to be reflected in huge additional costs. This was a big investment for all of us, so some fear and trepidation was to be expected.
I am glad to say, these fears were never realised. Luckily we did not encounter any big problems. And there is no doubt that we were both surprised and refreshed by the professionalism and organisation of the team we had chosen to organise the renovation and conversion of ‘Le Cuvage’. In retrospect, this was thanks to a number of salient factors:
1) It was a joint project with French friends of long-standing, who we could trust and who were on the ground at all times.
2) We employed a highly-regarded, local French architect with a reputation at stake.
3) We selected and used recommended, reliable builders and contractors after detailed assessment, seeking several competitive quotations for every element of the work.
4) We all approached the project with shared aims, care, intelligence, experience, and with quality always in mind.
5) We also had the money, more or less, readily available to invest at all stages, and in line with pre-agreed budgets. Any extras had to be contended with as they occurred.
6) There was a genuine communal approach to the whole project by all involved, as though we were creating something very special together. A team spirit was evident throughout. It was a great feeling. It was a joy!
Read the full article at: This French Life - ‘Topping Off’ a ‘Grand Design’ building project in the Roannais!
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Topics: Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, Property | No Comments »
Mike Ford stars at The Pure Art Gallery
By purefrancenow | May 9, 2011
Creative Photographer and Artist, Mike Ford, features his new paintings at The Pure Art Gallery.
Take a good look now!
Mike Ford’s new paintings at Purefrancenow!
Topics: Art, News, Pure Art Gallery | No Comments »
