Mike Ford’s New Paintings at Purefrancenow
By purefrancenow | March 22, 2011
Here we introduce a brand new series of original paintings from the creative hand of Mike Ford, photographer ‘extraordinaire’ !
This month we feature a selection of canvasses as a ‘taster’ before we include them in Mike’s personal dedicated presentation at The Pure Art Gallery
See more of Mike Ford’s Art and Photographic Images on his personal website:
Topics: Art, Design and Photography, News, Pure Art Gallery, purefrancenow | 1 Comment »
Reality arrives in The Roannais by Brian Franklin
By purefrancenow | March 21, 2011
Brian Franklin’s historical account of their discovery of the Roannais continues in This French Life during March - ‘REALITY ARRIVES IN ‘THE ROANNAIS’
Following on from our new discovery in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, and our eventual purchase of ‘The Stables’ there is, of course, much more to tell.
We paid around £12,000 for this building which needed a complete renovation job. Some of this money was also part of a contribution to the communal courtyard and pool.
Basically we had bought into a small ‘co-propriété’ (joint ownership of communal grounds) of about 10 other dwellings which formed part of the original courtyard of the Chateau des Cresses (an ornate, gothic-style pile built around 1908)
The courtyard – ‘Cour Rossignol’ – made up the ‘servicing’ complex of the chateau.(with Bakery, Winery, Butler’s Pantry, Barn, and, of course, our Stable block)
The other building which formed this courtyard was, in fact, the stylish ‘Pavillon de Chasse’, an 18thcentury hunting lodge and salon, built around the time of the French Revolution, and oozing ‘old French Empire’. This was the original and only building on the site before the chateau was constructed clumsily around it.
It was a picturesque location, however, with great potential. Our excitement and eager anticipation at developing our ‘ruin’ in this wonderful location was immense. Our uncertainty substantial!
However, we made our decision to apply a clean, contemporary approach, and involved one of our architect friends in England to create an outline interior concept that was simple, stylish, and which maximised on utilising the potential living space available to us. How smart!
It was sharpen pencil time! There was no shortage of ideas. We were creative, that was our job in England – interior design, image-building, photographic concepts for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms. In fact, totally in our realm! France here we come!!
I’m not going to turn all this into some ‘Grand Design’ type saga (It was not big enough for that, of course! That will come a few years later.), but it could turn into a saga all the same. A different type of saga. A saga of intrigue, and the ‘mentally’ insane. Of the’ ups and downs’ that occur when you take a ‘runner’ – a risk. A small risk it maybe, but a risk all the same, entwined with heartfelt dreams of a new home, and a new life experience.
Yes, we got ‘ripped off’ a bit.
Although, it is said of the French: ‘they see us Brits coming’ , maybe it is because they see an easy ‘kill’, an easy ‘euro’ or two (it was actually the famous French Franc, then), because our brains were still, temporarily at least , resting, sloppily, on the dockside at Dover!
Our many dealings with the French have been incredibly rewarding, and in our relationships with artisans, shopkeepers, neighbours, and with those that have become great friends, we have found all of them to be incredibly generous, exceptionally friendly, honest, and personable people).
Yes, there are always ‘rogue traders’ about (so you have to watch out!), and you are never far away from diabolical experiences, whether from individuals or from the famous meanderings of the over-developed (and often over zealous) French bureacracy and legal sytems.
We bought into a 10-dwelling co-propriété, and our experience of this was certainly not an ideal one.
It is difficult to get all people to agree, and conflicts occur. These type of co-ownership organisations may work for apartment buildings, or well-organised holiday complexes in places like Spain, but my suggestion would be to avoid getting involved in this type of property arrangement despite some of the price advantages, and shared communal costs for items such as pool maintenance, gardening, insurances, etc.
They are often troublesome, and your several neighbours can be just a little too close! However, at the same time, all the negatives and positives of this experience were thoroughly stirred into a pot-pourri, a melange of wonderful discovery, fun, and friendships.
We had, in fact, a brilliant time planning and designing The Stables.
Our, discovery, too, of Lyon – France’s second city – was also a fantastic experience, and Lyon is now a place which we regularly re-visit.
The local Roannais region, also, was, and is, brilliant and has so much to offer, from medieval villages and chateaux to picturesque wine-growing countryside, mountain vistas and some of the best food in France.
To be fair, in the early days, and the early year or so, things moved on pleasantly, albeit very slowly.
We finally signed for our ‘ruin’ and full payment was duly made (some of it, I might add, siphoned off to some unknown destination and bank account in England! You have to watch out for this sort of thing, because any money paid outside the transaction is not recorded, so you are likely to pay more capital gains tax on any profit later further down the line if/when you re-sell your property)
Our real fun and adventure with France could now continue with a vengeance! For a while the distance actually helped between England and France.
Yes, the communication and project control aspects were difficult and frustrating at times. French language problems were always an initial hindrance, and part of the equation to solve. But, we were tenacious.
It was something we had to accept as part of the ‘risk’ of buying and renovating in France from a distance. We had to put it all down to experience – ‘The French Experience’
The Stables moved gradually on, and started taking internal shape. It was beginning to look like a home on the cusp of habitability. We made decisions, we flew over as regularly as we could, and thoroughly enjoyed ‘The French life’ as we found it.
We also continued to throw more money at the project!
And gradually, bit by bit, over 2 years or so (It wasn’t rapid!), we turned the place from a ruin into a home.
‘The Stables’ ended up as a delightful 2 –bedroom dwelling (with retained French character on the outside and a contemporary, clean ‘look’ on the inside!). We were very pleased with the results: Good-sized kitchen and dining, separate lounge with wood-burning stove and exposed chimney. Feature stairway and landing to two large double bedrooms, and bathroom with bath and shower.
The countryside and woodland views of the original chateau grounds were superb, and a great setting for our own new piece of France .
And our new French way of life!
Topics: Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, Perreux, Property | No Comments »
A Guide to the Roannais by Purefrancenow
By purefrancenow | March 3, 2011
Purefrancenow’s Introductory Guide to the Roannais!
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
Topics: Côte Roannaise, Le Roannais, News, Restaurant, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
The amazing city of Lyon
By purefrancenow | February 23, 2011
Lyon, known at the time as Lugdunum (meaning “the hill of light” or “the hill of crows”) began under the Romans, in the first century B.C. when the city was proclaimed capital of the three Gauls. This official status brought political, economic, military and religious development to the city. This period of pre-eminence lasted 3 centuries but did not survive the downfall of the Roman Empire. A long period of upheaval possessed the city until the church gave it new impetus by declaring Lyon the seat of the Primate of Gaul in the 11th century.
From that time, prosperity continued to grow, reaching its peak in the Renaissance. By the end of the 15th century, Lyon was an important center of trade with its fairs and a well-developed banking system which attracted commercial interests from all over Europe. Soon, the social, intellectual and artistic elite settled here. Development continued through the 17th and 18th centuries with the Lyon silk industry supplying the world’s wealthy with clothing and interior decoration. The city continued to gain in size and equipped itself with hospitals, public squares and impressive edifices.
The French Revolution in 1789 brought a brutal halt to expansion but development was re-vitalized under the Napoleonic empire. Lyon became an industrial city and pursued its urban development with a distinct preference for the Haussman style prevalent at the time. Though the revolt of the Canuts silk workers tarnished the era, Lyon enjoyed an undeniable power which it carried into the 20th century.
Urban development continued to expand and change the face of the city. During World War II, Lyon was the center of the French Resistance. The post-war period marked the beginning of the race for modernity with a new challenge, the construction of Europe. Lyon acquired a European dimension through the development of the transportation system, hotel and other tourist facilities, cultural establishments and the creation of the Part Dieu business quarter in 1960.
The 1980′s saw a new drive to improve the city’s infrastructure. The momentum continues today. Important town planning projects have been completed in strategic locations, while maintaining a policy of preservation of local historical cultural assets. In barely a dozen years, Lyon has become a major metropolis where the successes of the past live in harmony with the goals of the future. These different phases of Lyon’s history are engraved in the urban landscape.
Lyon’s special affection for nature is primarily due to its geographic situation.
Proud of its two hills and two rivers, the city also boasts an extraordinary green belt.
No matter what part of town you may be in, nature is always close at hand: the vineyards and golden stones of the Beaujolais are only 20 minutes away; the Monts d’Or, the Monts du Beaujolais and the gentle hills and ponds of the Dombes entice many a visitor.
The metropolitan area counts 3 city parks: the Tête d’Or Park, spreading over 105 hectares (262 acres), with a design inspired by English gardens, has a 16-hectare (40-acre) lake filled by a tributary of the Rhone, along with a zoo and a botanical garden; the Parc des Hauteurs, which overlooks the city; and the Gerland Confluence Park created along the banks of the Rhone. A bicycle path runs from Gerland in the south all the way to the Cité Internationale in the north sector of the city.
On the outskirts of the city, just a few minutes from the center, the Miribel Jonage Park stands as a leisure zone offering a great number of sports and nautical activities. The Lacroix-Laval Park, property of the Regional Council, is 12 km. from downtown Lyon. This 287-acre domain has a forest graced with a wide variety of trees, prairie-like expanses, ponds and a river. You’ll also find a French-style garden, a farm and a château with a restaurant. One of the main attractions of this park is its Doll Museum in the château, housing a collection of more than a thousand antique dolls, among the most beautiful in the world.
The Parilly district Park, located at the city limits of Lyon, Bron and Vénissieux, has a hippodrome and attracts a large public to its shaded paths and sports grounds.
See our previous blog editorials on this great city: Lyon Stories
Topics: Lyon, Rhone-Alpes | No Comments »
Discovering the Roannais by Brian Franklin on thisfrenchlife.com
By purefrancenow | February 13, 2011
Purefrancenow and This French Life join forces with a monthly editorial series featuring an historical account of Brian and Lucy Franklin’s discovery of the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes region, renovating and developing property, and living ‘The French Dream’.
For this month’s newsletter article on ‘Discovering the Roannais’ visit thisfrenchlife.com
Topics: Côte Roannaise, France, Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, News, Perreux, Rhone-Alpes, Roanne, purefrancenow | No Comments »
More Art in 2011 at Galerie Bernard Ceysson in Saint Etienne
By purefrancenow | February 1, 2011
BAGARRE GENERALE – 5 ANS ET J.M.MEURICE – IPOMÉES, ARÉTHUSAS ET CYCLAMENS
MARCH 24 – MAY 15, 2011 JANUARY 20 – MARCH 19, 2011
Topics: Art, News, Pure Art Gallery | No Comments »
This French Life website is supported by Purefrancenow
By purefrancenow | January 24, 2011
This French Life.com provides many interesting nuggets of information, and is of particular service to people who are keen to move to France, or those already living there.
This is an excellent, high quality website well worth a visit!
There are articles about setting-up a wide variety of necessary services, from banking to the internet, as well as some of the more enjoyable things about life.
It also features interviews with people from different French regions, those that have lived in France all their lives and those that have recently moved to start a fresh life.
Take a look!
Topics: France, News, purefrancenow | No Comments »
Great Family Holidays in the Wonderful Roannais
By purefrancenow | January 20, 2011
Go no further ! If you want a great family holiday in an unspoilt, typical French region with great food, beautiful scenery, incredible chateaux, medieval villages, and plenty of fun activities for all the family to enjoy, then come to the Roannais. It has much to offer.
Nestling between Burgundy, the Massif Central and the Lyon area, the main township of Roanne and the Roannais has forged its identity at the junction of these various influences and today offers the best of them for your next break.
The Roannais region has a surprising wealth of contrasting landscapes and offers an immediate answer to your need to get away from it all and enjoy some superb open-air activities.
Take a look at the dedicated regional website for more information on what is available: www.leroannais.com
Visit our Purefrancenow website which has plenty of photos, information, and news on all aspects of the Roannais region: www.purefrancenow.com
Our Blog, News, and Reviews is also well worth scrolling through, too: Purefrancenow Blog, News, and Reviews
Have a great holiday and stay in high quality luxury at Le Cuvage, in the original grounds of the Chateau des Cresses, Perreux
Purefrancenow Monthly Newsletter
Topics: Côte Roannaise, Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, Roanne | No Comments »
The Medieval Hill Village of Perreux in the Roannais
By purefrancenow | January 17, 2011
As the new year of 2011 commences, Perreux is once again bursting into typical French village life !
The new Perreux magazine has been launched again full of useful information for the community, including all forthcoming events to be held in the ensuing months.
Visit our previous editorial on this beautiful, ancient village, only 5 minutes away from Le Cuvage (a superb luxury holiday gite with pool – available for rent throughout the year.)
More on Perreux in the Roannais
Topics: Le Cuvage, Le Roannais, News, Perreux | No Comments »
Bonne Année from the Roannais !
By purefrancenow | January 7, 2011
Topics: purefrancenow | No Comments »
