Le papillon in FRANCE
Good living and healthy eating
To a man and a woman the Burgundians consider
themselves gastronomes.
From dawn until dusk the culture revolves
around the pleasures of the palate,
the fruit of field and forest, the juice
of the vine, the delights of the dairy.
Breakfast is traditionally French and starts when you do - freshly squeezed
orange juice, coffee croissants and baguettes plus yoghurts, fruits and
cereals. In France everything stops for lunch and most days we eat light
under a parasol on deck. Come evening, apéritifs and hors d’oeuvres
lead nicely to the table. All in all Papillon cuisine is something of a
legend along these waterways. And we never forget Burgundy’s wealth and
prosperity was based on wine. And you’ll never forget the fine wines we
serve with lunch and dinner.
An historic canal boat lovingly converted
The 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.
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| The dining room |
The Lounge |
She sleeps only six, in three cabins, two twin, all forward of the
main saloon. Each cabin has full en suite facilities. Her living quarters
are spacious and well appointed, the comfortable saloon complete with library,
music and well furnished bar (with plenty of ice!). The dining room is
traditional and slightly more formal in style, a perfect background for
the chef’s extravagance.
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| Two of the bedrooms |
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. Air-conditioning and central heating are available.
Should, by chance, you ever miss the outside world we also have a phone. |
Something beautiful 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.
Whilst 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 gently on
the soul, or so inspiring for the spirit than a day losing yourself along
these once highways, now old backwaters of France.
Burgundy Ahoy!
Burgundy’s rolling landscape looks fantastic
when
viewed aloft, as if from the eye of a
bird.
And we know no better way to get a bird’s-eye view than when floating
gently in the morning or late afternoon calm by hot air balloon. Locally
we have good friends who specialise in doing just that, and we recommend
you try the experience, which is an optional extra.
And your holiday can be as
active as you wish to make it...
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Wine Tasting - In small private cellars -
fun and informative
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Walking - Miles of towpath beside the canal
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Boules - The classic French pastime and not
too strenuous
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Meals - All meals bar drinks and wines are
included
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Market - Pick up some produce with the chef
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Cycling - We carry six bikes on board
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Tennis - Most villages have a court
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Horse riding - Can be arranged as an extra
activity
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Restaurant - We invite you to a meal ashore
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Minibus - Available for tours throughout the
cruise
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While we love to make suggestions, we
never forget that it is your holiday.
If you want to do something a little different,
simply ask - if we can oblige,
we will with pleasure.
Introduction | Cruising
the Canals and rivers | Prices and dates