Le Papillon |
Barge Information
Rating  :
Deluxe
Number of
Passengers: 6
Number of Cabins:
3
Size of
Vessel: 100 ft in length
Number of Crew:
4
Cruise
Region: Southern Burgundy
Other Regions Sailed:
None
2012 Whole Boat Charters for 6
starting at $27,800
2012
Prices (per person) starting at $4,650
Call Barge
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For More Information or to Book
Your Journey
1.800.549.2575 |
Photo Album
 Le
Papillon |
Overview
Le Papillon is an historic canal barge that has been
skillfully and imaginatively converted to a beautiful
floating hotel perfect for cruising the tranquil canals
and rivers of France. Built in 1902 to ply the waters of
the rivers Rhine and Meuse, she was rescued at the end
of her commercial life and lovingly converted into the
luxury canal boat she is today.
Her living
quarters are spacious and well appointed, the
comfortable saloon complete with library, music and well
furnished 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 you'll be treated
while on-board.
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Accommodations
Le Papillon offers three cabins, one double and two
twins. Each features a private, ensuite bathroom with
porcelain sinks and colored Provencal tile as well as
air conditioning and central heating.
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Amenities
- Delicious gourmet cuisine featuring local
fair-trade and organic items whenever available
- Outstanding regional and fine wines served with
lunch and dinner
- Open bar
- Sundeck with deck furniture, parasols, and sun
mats
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Road bikes
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Sample Itinerary
Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Pont
Royal
Sunday - You will be met by a
Papillon crew member at your hotel in Paris and driven
to the Papillon moored near Dijon in the village of
Fleurey-sur-Ouche. On the way you 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, then you'll have
time to settle in before dinner.
Monday -
After breakfast, Le Papillon will start cruising along
the Canal de Bourgogne. There will be ample time to take
a walk or ride a bike along the canal towing path. By
mid afternoon she shall be moored in the delightful
village of Gissey-sur-Ouche.
A short drive in
the minibus will take you to the medieval quarter of
Dijon for a walking tour followed by a visit to the
Musee des Beaux Arts in the ducal palace. The drive back
to Papillon will include the Route des Grands Crus
through the vineyards of the Cote de Nuits, passing by
Clos Vougeot.
Tuesday - Food lovers can
make an early start and accompany Le Papillon's chef to
the busy morning food market in Dijon. This is an
opportunity to meet Le Papillon's cheese, fish, meat and
vegetable suppliers face to face. There will be some
free time for shopping on the nearby Rue Verrerie with
its famous antique shops. Enjoy lunch back aboard and
then cruise to the village of Veuvey-sur-Ouche.
Wednesday - This morning's cruise will
take you to Pont d'Ouche where Le Papillon will cruise
over the Ouche river. After lunch you will be driven
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 in Beaune is the hospice Hotel Dieu, with
its multicolored roof tiles. The hospice was built in
1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the dukes of
Burgundy. Next door in the spectacular cellars of the
Marche aux Vins you can taste some of Burgundy's finest
wines or alternatively stop at one of the vineyards on
our way back to le 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 you 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 onboard, Le Papillon
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 you 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
you 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 (a UNESCO World Heritage sight) and the
virtually undiscovered medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois.
Saturday - After breakfast, you'll be
transferred to the Dijon train station or your hotel or
airport in Paris.
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1.800.549.2575
