SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Le Papillon began life in 1902, built to ply the commercial waters of the river Rhine. Discovered in 1980 by two of New York’s top interior designers, she was rescued and lovingly converted into the luxury canal boat she is today. She sleeps only six, in three cabins, one double, two twins, all forward of the main saloon. Each cabin has full ensuite facilities with air-conditioning and central heating. Her living quarters are spacious and well appointed, the comfortable saloon complete with library, music and a well furnished open bar. The dining room is traditional and slightly more formal in style, a perfect background for the chef’s extravagance. A crew of four - skipper, chef, housekeeper and matelot - live in the aft quarters, and ensure you lack for nothing. Le Papillon was designed with serious pampering firmly on the agenda and that's exactly how we'd like to treat you. Should, by chance, you ever miss the outside world we also have a phone.
Le Papillon is an historic canal boat, skillfully and imaginatively converted to a floating hotel, cruising the tranquil canals and rivers of France. Each Sunday between April and November, Le Papillon sets sail for a private charter with just six passengers and four crew. Like a fine wine or a good meal, this is a vacation to be savoured slowly. Leave behind the hurried humdrum and sit back and share the pleasure of anticipation - the one thing we don’t do is rush. Of course that means there’s plenty of time for a chilled glass of champagne before the next lock or village. And time to remember what you did yesterday and the day before without the whirlwind itineraries so typical of modern tourism. And if you’d like to take the wheel and pilot your floating home from home between this lock and the next then why not? You’re more than welcome, under the watchful eye of the skipper. Equally so to jump ashore at a lock and practice your French whilst helping the lock-keeper pass us into the next stretch.
Le Papillon cruises in Southern Burgundy, where you step into the past. (See Rick Steves YouTube video for a "mini-cruise" aboard Papillon.) Here is a country rooted deep in history and legend, carrying us back to the dawn of Western civilization. Here Caesar came and saw and conquered. Here the Dukes of Burgundy held dominion in the golden Middle Ages. For the most part our voyages are on the Canal de Bourgogne. Sometimes we venture a field on the Canal du Nivernais or the River Saône.
Wherever we are, we can choose our moorings together - town, village or open countryside? Then maybe head out in the minibus to a private tasting with a local wine grower or ride a bicycle and explore the countryside. There’s no agenda other than your own. We’ll make sure, however, that you don’t miss any sights that are really special - we want you to grow to love Burgundy as much as we do! Something beautiful is around every bend. The canals and rivers interchange throughout Burgundy. We cruise on both, through fields, woods, villages and towns. Along the water’s edge trees overhang, herons stand watching and fishermen sit patiently. While it’s very much France at a snail’s pace, there’s always something to catch the eye. Best of all there’s always plenty of time to look and sketch or take pictures. And all the time, the waters slide by, gurgling behind the bow. We can honestly say we know nothing so easy on the eye, so gentle on the soul, or so inspiring for the spirit than a few days losing yourself along these once highways, now old backwaters of France.
A crew of four - skipper, chef, housekeeper and matelot - live in the aft quarters, and ensure you lack for nothing. Le Papillon was designed with serious pampering firmly on the agenda, and that’s exactly how we’d like to treat you. Should, by chance, you ever miss the outside world we also have a phone.
The chef on Le Papillon holds one of the prized cooking jobs on the French waterways. With her unlimited budget she is able to accommodate your every need. To ensure the best tasting food possible, she buys nearly all of her ingredients from local farmers markets, fishmongers, cheese shops, butchers and green-grocers, choosing "fair trade" and organic whenever available. Naturally you are welcome to accompany her on any of these marketing trips and help choose from the wealth of fresh seasonal produce. We have an open bar on Le Papillon and will always endeavour to stock passengers’ favourite brands. The majority of our wines are real finds from the smaller vineyards of Burgundy – delicious for drinking now! Many of these wines can be shipped directly to your front door; please visit our links page for details. On board we serve Delamott champagne.
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...the greatest vacation we've ever had.
Here's to the crew of Le Papillon for a truly wonderful, captivating week in Burgundy. You have given us an experience of a lifetime, spoiled us for the real world, and enlightened our culinary senses.
...five stars for everything.
Fantastique! Beyond our wildest dreams - the best impromptu decision we've ever made.
This has been a slice of heaven for all of us!
Nineteen years and 7 barges later we have found the best!
Life without you is a bit of a shock. There is no one explaining the two scrumptious cheeses and red and white wines at lunch. What else do I miss? The French-pressed coffee, delectable croissants, jaw-dropping scenery, your delightful British accents, immaculate accommodations, Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries, the gentle breeze up on deck, reading under the umbrella and fascinating side trips with Gareth. I miss Emma saying, "Would you care for an aperitif?" and bringing out amazing hors d'oeuvres. I miss the creative napkin folding and gorgeous flower arrangements - each time I walked into the dining room I sighed with happiness. I even looked forward to the way the butter was decorated each day.
My body is in withdrawal from being deprived of Sarah's out-of-this-world kitchen productions. Poached eggs in wine sauce for lunch now that I'm home? In my dreams.
My husband, who is not known to exaggerate, recently described the barge trip to friends as "stupendous". It was stupendous, and I want to thank each of you for the many ways you made our stay luxurious and joyful. I can't imagine a crew more pleasant, kind and thoroughly competent at what they do. Whether Gareth was trying to find us a newspaper in English or arrangements were being made for a French singer to accompany us through the tunnel, you made your guests feel special. Bill, what a master choreographer you are to make it all look so effortless. I can only imagine the hard work and sweat going on behind the scenes. And while you had the difficult job of maneuvering Le Papillon through countless locks and a tricky tunnel, you remained unruffled and always had time for our questions/requests. I can see why there's no suggestion box or post-trip survey; how could life get any better than this? You have given us a family vacation that eclipses all other family vacations, and we've had some exceptional adventures. We're grateful to all of you, and we miss you.
See also the passenger diary of a week aboard Le Papillon on our blog at:
http://bargesinfrance.blogspot.com/search/label/Aboard%20the%20Papillon
Sunday
You will be met by a Papillon crew member at your hotel in Paris at 1pm and driven to the Papillon moored near Dijon in the village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche. On the way we can visit the fabulous Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte - a mini rival to Versailles. Alternatively, you can take the fast TGV train from Paris and a Papillon crew member will meet you at the railway station in Dijon. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed aboard Le Papillon with a Champagne reception and introduced to the crew of four - time to settle in before dinner.
Monday
After breakfast we will start cruising along the Canal de Bourgogne. There will be ample opportunities to take a bike ride or walk along the canal tow path. By mid-afternoon we shall be moored in the delightful village of Gissey-sur-Ouche. A short drive in the minibus will take us to the medieval quarter of Dijon for a walking tour followed by a visit to the Musee des Beaux Arts in the ducal palace. Our drive back to Papillon will include the Route des Grands Crus through the vineyards of the Cote de Nuit passing by Clos Vougeot.
Tuesday
Food lovers can make an early start and accompany our chef to the busy morning food market in Dijon. This is an opportunity to meet our cheese, fish, meat and vegetable suppliers, of whom we are very proud. Maybe take a coffee with the chef and discuss some of your favorite dishes. There will be some free time for shopping - the Rue Verrerie with its famous antique shops is nearby. Lunch back on board and then cruise to the village of Veuvey-sur-Ouche.
Wednesday
This morning's cruise will take us to Pont d'Ouche where we cruise over the Ouche river. After lunch we will drive through the nearby hills and descend into the Cote d'Or vineyards and visit Beaune - a thriving little town and proud capital of the wine trade. By far the most famous sight is the hospice with its multicolored roof tiles which was built in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the dukes of Burgundy. Next door in the spectacular cellars of the Marche aux Vins we can taste some of Burgundy's finest wines or alternatively stop at one of the vineyards on our way back to Papillon. During the afternoon Papillon will have cruised on to La Repe where she will be moored for the night.
Thursday
A 5 minute drive from Papillon will take us up to the hilltop village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Highly restored and very picturesque, the village also offers a fine aerial view of the canal. Back on board, we will climb the remaining locks before reaching the summit level of the canal - the highest point on this water route from the Mediterranean to the English Channel. After lunch we can visit the little Chateau of Commarin with its fine tapestries. And then on through one of the wonders of the canal system - a two-mile tunnel leading to the town of Pouilly-en-Auxois. Nearby the Chateau of Chailly has a fine golf course.
Friday
Today's cruise will take us through lovely rolling countryside to Pont Royal. From there, a pleasant circular trip in the minibus could include visits to the hilltop village of Flavigny where 'Chocolat' was filmed, the Cistercian abbey of Fontenay (UNESCO world heritage site) and the virtually undiscovered medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois.
Saturday:
After breakfast, minibus transfer to Dijon train station or your hotel or airport in Paris.
Note: The above description of a week on Le Papillon, cruising from Fleurey to Pont Royal contains similar points of interest as a cruise in the opposite direction from Pont Royal to Fleurey, although times for excursions will clearly differ between the two routes. No two cruises on Le Papillon are ever exactly the same since we always mold each voyage to fit the interests of our passengers. Whatever your passion - golf, tennis, biking, walking, side trips in the minibus, just relaxing on deck, or a little of everything - we'll make sure you do it.
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*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| LE PAPILLON 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Apr 4 thru Oct 30 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,500 |
| Single Occupancy Cabin |
$4,500 |
| Charter for 4 |
$25,500 |
| Charter for up to 6 |
$27,000 |
| LE PAPILLON 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Apr 3 thru Oct 29 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,500 |
| Single Occupancy Cabin |
$4,500 |
| Charter for 4 |
$25,500 |
| Charter for 5 |
$26,250 |
| Charter for up to 6 |
$27,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days, 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private bath
- All meals beginning with Sunday dinner and ending with Saturday breakfast (except for half board)
- Wines with meals and open bar
- Transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- All escorted side excursions
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
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