Situated on the edge of the Fontainebleu Forest on the grounds of Chateau de Boulains, L'Envol welcomes children from France, Luxembourg, Spain, and Portugal.  L'Envol, the French term for "take off," gives children with serious illnesses the chance to literally test their wings and experience the freedom and joy of camp life.  One of the highlights of each camp session is a guided plane ride and an evening hot air balloon ride.  L'Envol offers children a wide selection of activities.  By day, they climb trees, ride horses, go fishing, boating, and swimming and become clowns, painters, and even journalists who produce a daily newspaper.  In the evneing, campers become actors, musicians, dancers, and singers who produce their own performances.  Since its opening in 1997, L'Envol has enabled children to regain their self-confidence and joie de vivre.

"It makes me smile to see the campers forget that they are patients and that they're having fun just being kids."