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Our Story

A woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling at a restaurant table, wearing a navy blue dress with white polka dots, with wine glasses, a plate of appetizers, and a bottle of sparkling water on the table.
A smiling man seated at a table in a warmly lit restaurant with wooden interior, arched windows, and blurred background decor.
Two people, a man and a woman, smiling and standing on a cobblestone driveway in front of an elegant, old mansion with a turret and large windows. The man is wearing a blue t-shirt and beige shorts, while the woman is dressed in a white sleeveless top, ripped jeans, and beige shoes. The woman is holding a small object and a bottle, and they seem to be enjoying a moment together.

Chef | Accountant meets Engineer | Father. Here’s a bit about how we met & our desire to live in France.

The Journey

It all begins with an idea, letting it ruminate. Then it’s saying that “one day” is actually now. Here, we show you the chateaux that we viewed along with our thoughts about the visits. Browse this section to find out which one we chose!

A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a gray and beige sweater is holding baking trays with cookies in a kitchen.
Chocolate frosted cake on a cake stand, inside a white vintage picture frame.
Cooked chicken thighs with garlic, herbs, and sauce, garnished with sprigs of rosemary.
A smiling woman with glasses, wearing a white shirt and beige skirt, sitting on a red velvet couch with her legs stretched out, in front of a dark background.

More about Chef Denise

She started her professional career as an accountant. An education at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago followed & a passionate, new chef emerged. Little did she know that there was a burgeoning entrepreneur in there too - she founded & owned Flavour Cooking School (& retail store) in an urban/suburban village just outside of the city. Learn more about Chef Denise’s professional qualifications - she absolutely LOVES to teach & is very eager to assist you in arranging your own culinary experience in lovely Roanne, France!

Night view of a historic building illuminated with blue and warm lights, parking lot in foreground, tree branches on the upper right, city street scene.
Bright illuminated sign reading '#JAIMEROANNE' in an outdoor park at night, surrounded by trees and a sculpture on the right.

Roanne & the Auvergne Rhone Alps

We are happily situated in central France, where winters are mild, the countryside is almost always green & the region is famous for its amazing food, cows & the largest collection of national & natural parks of any French region. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is home to ancient remains, medieval fortresses, UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Renaissance / Romanesque structures that take you on a fabulous journey into the region’s past. The food & wine has worldwide acclaim.

Given its abundance of Alpine pastures, orchards & vineyards (think Côtes du Rhône & Beaujolais), the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is great for eating & drinking. Much of the local produce has protected status, including Bresse poultry, Ardèche chestnuts, Grenoble walnuts, Nyons olives, Puy lentils, & no less than 17 cheeses. And Lyon, the region’s capital has been voted the gastronomic capital of the world!