A PLACE TO DISCOVER IN LOWER NORMANDY, LE PERCHE AREA near MORTAGNE -AU-PERCHE (FRANCE)

Welcome!

Welcome to the all new Le Reveillon Jazz cafe website!
Please feel free to register with the site by clicking HERE
Visit our Concert Schedule page for all the latest concerts we are hosting with info on all the bands appearing.
If you have visited the Cafe and would like to give us some feedback please sign our Guestbook. The link is at the top of the page.
Want to see what the Cafe looks like? See some previous bands? Then the image Gallery is the place to be!
Le Reveillon doesn't just have an awesome Jazz Cafe! For ideas on what to do when visiting us should your stay be for a while then please find some information on our "Things to Do" page.
Finally should you need directions or get in touch with us then please check out the Contact Us page for help.

Many thanks for visiting the website and please enjoy your stay!

About Us

Hi everyone and welcome to the website for "Le Reveillon Jazz Café"… my name is Bob Tinker and I would like to tell you about this venture in South Normandy which was started in 2004.

I have been a professional musician all my working life and after a life changing decision, decided to buy a bar/restaurant in south Normandy close to Mortagne au Perche in a lovely little village called Reveillon.

I spent many years teaching and playing professionally in the South West of England but decided, on seeing the bar here to get away from the monotony of teaching and travelling long distances to play, and instead, to bring our music to this lovely area of the Perche. I ran a be-bop / mainstream band called "The Jazz Prophets" and previously worked extensively in recording and as a touring trumpet player all over the world for many years including four years in the Far East and Japan. I have played at the Vienne Jazz festival for several years with the Truro College Big Band and the idea of moving here became reality in May 2004…… and so to the bar which is run by me and partner Shirley, who is a violinist.

Situated about 4 kms south of Mortagne-au-Perche (D386 to Le Mans) in the village of Reveillon, the bar is called Le Reveillon Jazz Café and is situated in the charming village square opposite a lovely medieval church. I purchased the bar in Dec.2003 and started some re-development work in early January, flitting between appointments in England and trying to reach our opening deadline of April 28th 2004. Things went smoothly and we opened on time with the first concert taking place on May 1st. The music was provided by the Viv Rodd Quintet, with whom I work when time permits, and the evening was a great success. Le Reveillon consists of a bar, restaurant, pension and "sale des concerts" where the jazz evenings take place. A meal is offered when the in-house concerts take place and bookings are by reservation only.

The "pension" is typically French and consists of five comfortable rooms (all priced at 30 euro) 2 doubles and 3 twins…with shared facilities. A substantial continental breakfast is offered at a supplement of 5 euros per person and an evening meal can be supplied though there are numerous small restaurants in the area which cater for all tastes. I have teamed up with some local musicians, both English and French and have organised an in-house band… Le Reveillon Jazz Quintette… which performs jazz on a regular basis and now have a large database of musicians and bands. The Southampton University jazz orchestra, The Helston school jazz orchestra and the Bournemouth University big band have all played here to full houses evening of music and photos and video clips will be posted when compiled. The diaries for each month are posted when confirmed… see our Concert Schedule page We would love to hear from any musicians interested in performing here and welcome competent instrumentalists to our Friday jazz evenings. 

HOW TO FIND US

Le Reveillon Jazz Café, Le Bourg, Reveillon. 61400 France tel 02 33 25 04 67 When you get to Calais join the A16 (E402) going south towards Boulogne, Abbeville and Rouen. Keep going on this autoroute all the way to Rouen...about 2 hours. At exit 23 make sure you take the autoroute for Rouen...now the A 28!!... and don't take the Amiens/Paris road which is a continuation of the A16. At Rouen follow the signs for Caen, Bordeaux and A 28... You have to go through about 2 miles of traffic lights before re-joining the A28 so be careful.... it is quite confusing and the road numbers keep changing...anyway just keep going until you pick up the signs for Caen, Le Havre and Bordeaux.... now A13 but also A28...very confusing!! When you are back on the autoroute follow the signs for Caen/Le Havre/Bordeaux ( A 28 ) until you see the sign for Alencon and Le Mans. You must keep on the motorway because there are two routes and the other ( non-motorway ) will take forever. When you get on the autoroute for Alencon / Le Mans you are back on the A 28 and just head south to Gacé....it is 84 kilometres and you leave when the " little kilometre signs " in the middle of the road read 201. Leave the motorway and follow the signs for Mortagne au Perche....D 932 all the way and about 38 kilometres. When you get to Mortagne, go straight over the first 2 roundabouts then take the 1st exit ( turn right ) at the third roundabout....sign-posted Belleme / Le Mans. Go 3 kilometres to the next roundabout at the bottom of the hill and go straight over. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit again and head towards Belleme / La Mans but only for about 3 kilometres (just over a mile). You will see a sign for Reveillon and it is a left turn…. during the day you can see the Reveillon church if you look left just before this. The bar is in the middle of the village. Good Luck and call my mobile if there is a problem. 0033666222255. Bob