Burgundy Cruises » Le Papillon
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Le Papillon is the jewel box of boutique barging. Rich fabrics, designer wall papers, and Provencal handmade tiles provide a warm and tasteful setting for an exceptional barge experience. The best chefs of hotel barging come to cook on this boat as the sky is the limit for food and wines.
Owners William Altman and Leigh Wooton, oversee the continued excellence of every aspect of this barge cruise. The gracious and unobtrusive crew, ensure the guests are thoroughly pampered and their needs are anticipated.
Fantastic week! The best way to relax, view the French countryside, and enjoy first class food and wine! Merci!
Shelia Klein
Le Papillon is an historic luxury French 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.
There's plenty of time for a chilled glass of champagne before the next lock or French 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.
There is only one thing we need to warn you about - you should be prepared to relax. We go nowhere fast. We like it that way. Don't worry, you'll soon get used to it!
Le Papillon was built in 1902 to ply the waters of the rivers Rhine and Meuse across France.
At the end of her commercial life she was rescued by two of New York's top interior designers and lovingly converted into the luxury canal boat she is today.
She sleeps only six, in three cabins, one double, two twin, all forward of the main saloon. Each cabin has full en suite facilities with air-conditioning and central heating. 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.
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.
Day 1:
All great French adventures start with a 'coup de champagne' and this trip is no exception. You join Le Papillon somewhere around Dijon to meet the crew and share a gourmet meal that will be the first of many.
Day 2:
Time to get to grips with Burgundy's most famous export — fine wine. We cruise along the Burgundy canal before mooring at Gissey-sur-Ouche for lunch. Then we disembark and drive down the 'Routes de Grand Crus' at the very heart of the legendary Côte du Nuit. Our first destination is the Château of Clos de Vouget to discover the history of the region, then it's on for a private tasting courtesy of one of our favourite vintners.
Day 3:
We've learned about the wine so today is all about the food — these Burgundians really know how to live! This morning our chef visits the incredible market in Dijon to meet our meat, fish and vegetable suppliers and you're cordially invited along for coffee. Then it's more cruising and a sunset cordial of Dijon's world-famous aperitif Kir Royale — a mixture of Crème de Cassis and champagne.
Day 4:
Today sees the high spot of the cruise for wine lovers as, after mooring in the quaint little port of Pont d'Ouche, we drive through the glorious vineyards of the Côte d'Or to Beaune. After a restaurant lunch we'll visit one of the world's medieval 'must sees' — the fabulous Hospice built in 1443. All this culture is thirst-making but we're right next door to the spectacular cellars of the Marché aux Vins for a 'must taste' moment or several, trying some of the most famous wines in the world.
Day 5:
You'll have been delighted with the food and wine so far but today is a feast for the eyes as we visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Rated as one of the most beautiful places in France the stunningly restored village offers some wonderful vistas. Once back on board we climb a flight of locks to the summit of the canal then, after lunch, there is the option to visit the Château of Commarin or the amazing Grand Basilica at Vézelay. Before dinner we cruise through one of the wonders of the French waterways — the two-mile long tunnel leading to Pouilly-en-Auxois.
Day 6:
A laid-back morning cruising to sleepy Pont Royal, where we moor-up for lunch. Then we take to the road to visit the village of Flavigny (where the movie Chocolat was filmed), the UNESCO World Heritage Cistercian abbey at Fontenay and the little-known medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois. You'll have an appetite for your final fabulous dinner!
Day 7:
After breakfast we say our 'au revoirs' to Le Papillon and then transfer you back to either Dijon railway station, your hotel in Paris or your Paris airport.
France's greatest passion is food, and the key ingredient to a perfect meal is fresh local produce.
Le Papillon is proud that your dining experience on board will not only be a feast of the senses but also support both local farmers and growers. We focus on organic and artisan products, and our menus are created according to what's seasonally available.
Your chef will take the time and attentiveness to select your ingredients at markets, directly from producers, or perhaps she'll jump off at a lock-house to buy eggs, cheese or a basket of 'trompette' mushrooms.
We also source ingredients from the wild, and depending on what time of the year it is, you might savour fresh elderberry cordial, wild asparagus, black berry jelly or warm walnut tart. Feel free to join on us on any of our culinary excursions!
A meal in France is never complete without great wine; your crew have taken the time and enjoyment to select a diverse range of wines from some of the country's most interesting producers and appellations.
Be sure to let us know if there is a traditional dish you have always wanted to try, or if you have any dietary requests - we are always happy to try and accommodate your needs.
Onboard, you can either enjoy our gourmet cuisine in the formal dining room or on the front deck. On a balmy summer evening why not eat outside by candlelight and watch for shooting stars?
Le Papillon's Cruising Season and Cruise Types
Papillon's cruising season runs from April to November
6-NIGHT CLASSIC: Five star experience with fine dining, delicious Burgundy wines and an open bar. Full cruising and touring schedule with driver and minibus (see sample itinerary). Transfers between barge and Paris included. This is the cruise upon which Papillon's outstanding reputation has been built over the years.
Meeting Point: Your Paris hotel for Burgundy cruises
PRIVATE CHARTER:
charter for 4: US$ 32,000
charter for 3: US$ 27,200
charter for 2 , US$ 23,000
SINGLE CABIN:
2 Guests US$ 17,000, single Supplement US$2,300
INCLUDED: