François Boucher

Dear members of VoyageForum,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum.

We will remember his passion for travel, but most of all, the pride he took in this forum, which has become indispensable among travelers. While there may have been heated debates, we ask that you show respect for him.

François was still very active on the forum, especially in the technical development section. VoyageForum was his life’s work. He worked passionately to update the site and make up for the 4 years of closure due to the pandemic.

Today, VoyageForum has also lost its developer.

That’s why we’re reaching out to this community to continue François’s legacy. If there are any former or current developers among you who know PERL and would be willing to help, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your loyalty.

Let’s keep this forum alive in his memory.

Dear Fran��ois,

It’s awfully early to embark on that final journey! Did you at least prepare for it by consulting the spirits of our glorious predecessors—those who founded this forum with you and went before you? Or did you prefer, in true adventurous spirit, to tackle this terra incognita alone? Will you share a travel journal with us?

May your spirit remain here.

It’s truly sad to hear about François’s passing. His forum was and still is amazing. A photo where we add his first and last name. Sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Dear François,

What can one feel upon hearing of the passing of someone they’ve never met, whose face or voice they don’t know? What does it mean when reality collides with the virtual so suddenly? How do you name this sense of loss?

Sadness, melancholy... when emotions aren’t anchored in tangible reality, when they aren’t tied to shared memories, they feel like particles drifting endlessly in an uncertain void.

Here, there have been many storms, many rolls and flat calms, but with your steady hand on the helm... it rocked, it shook, but it never sank.

And now that the horizon was clearing, that the sails were filling again, it’s you who sets off into the distance, leaving us adrift with hearts a little lost. Our grief will add a bit of salt to the sea.

After all these years of bringing the world to our fingertips, you’re joining the stars too soon. And other shooting stars...

May VF keep a little of your soul.

He whom the gods love dies young, Menander.

Thank you, François, thank you for these 21 years. Of travels, debates, and above all, above all, freedom, always.

Thoughts for your family, your children.

See you soon. Michel

What unexpected news! And so distressing.

Despite our disagreements, sometimes very harsh ones, I’ve always admired his work. And I’m so glad tonight that I took the time to tell him so. In his memory, my gratitude for having created and given us such a powerful tool for shared knowledge and entertaining, lighthearted exchanges. This global forum.

My deepest condolences to his loved ones.

And good luck to those tasked with carrying on his legacy.

Catherine

François, Just a few words to thank you for creating this forum. It’s played a huge part in my life over the years. Like nothing else. Yeah, it’s a bit early to leave for the big journey... I hope it has the taste of Nepal, your beloved country if I remember right.

Hi there,

As kola said, how do you feel about the loss of someone you only knew online? And yet...

Vf was his whole life, and when he left Vf, his life left him... Respect for the journey he took, even if our beliefs sometimes differed.

We’ll keep this forum alive—18 years and counting for me.

Thoughts to his family, Bruno

I’m deeply shaken. Tonight, I’m thinking of you, François, of your wife and your three children, of your sister and your mom. Your family and VF were your whole life. You worked day and night to grow the site, constantly improving it—VF became indispensable because of you. Thank you for everything you brought to the world of travel. We’re really going to miss you.

Sandrine

Yes, it's sad. At least his forum finally survived after being closed for far too long (4 years). This forum, which has helped me so much in planning my various trips over nearly 20 years now, as far as I'm concerned. Rest in peace.

Rest in peace, my friend. My condolences to his family. Thank you for creating this amazing tool that allowed me to meet wonderful people, some of whom became friends.

Sad news. My condolences.

What a punch to the gut! It’s so sad... I’m discovering a face at the same time as a loss that really hits me. May this forum live on for a long time in memory of you, François Boucher.

François, may this new chapter bring you as many sparkling and beautiful stars as those that have shone on all of us travel forum members over these wonderful years, thanks to the forum you created and led. All my compassion and empathy to François' loved ones.

Phew! What news... Recently, I was looking back at my very first post on VF... 2005 I was asking for info about a trip to Paris. Long story short, without Monsieur Boucher, I never would’ve had the chance to discover this amazing support network that is Voyage Forum. I can only be grateful to him. 💙 My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. 😢

Through François Boucher's contributions and publications, it quickly becomes clear that he was a man of keen intelligence. Exploring his website, you realize it's the work of a talented and inventive man. Looking back at recent history, you see he was someone who could view events with a clear eye and wasn’t easily fooled—a man of conviction as well.

Today, without warning, as I turned a page, shock, disbelief, and dismay hit me almost simultaneously. Those in the French-speaking travel community find themselves orphaned.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Hello François, You’re no longer here—the life you left behind has let you go. The time has come for you, all too sadly and too soon, for a new journey toward unknown lands, to travel alone toward the great prairies—those of eternal and happy hunts—or perhaps those that guide the most dreamy cloud chasers toward the high-altitude valleys of a Himalayan Shangri-La, where you know just how happiness shines in the eyes of those who visit, where once the summit is reached, one continues to rise even higher... Of course, we had our misunderstandings, of course, I left behind a few VF lives... but none of that matters now compared to the countless hours of suspended time I spent on this extraordinary and wonderful agora, which you will forever remain the brilliant, inspired creator of! Thank you! Goodbye, François...

This news, so sudden and unexpected, leaves me speechless 😕 Sincere condolences to your family and loved ones, even though I didn’t know them any more than I knew you.

François, if you’re able to build, in your new place of residence, a tool that generates as many exchanges and meet-ups as VF has allowed, I think those I love who have already moved to that same country will have plenty to keep them busy—and that comforts me.

RIP

Rest in peace, François, and thank you for creating this forum, which I hope will continue to be a source of learning and exchanges. You were right to be proud of it.

Anne-Claire

The right words have already been written above—I’ll just add one more… THANKS

VF has been with me throughout my travels, and even more so in between them. Obviously, like many, I didn’t know FB personally, but his passion for travel was genuine, and his work was admirable.

A strange feeling for me. Injustice, regret, and sadness—so much sadness.

Bye everyone 🙁

One day in September 2006, I discovered François’s "baby," Voyage Forum. Thanks to VF (and thus to François), I met many forum friends virtually—and even "in the flesh"—planned trips, and shared great tips... Even if I didn’t always agree with François’s ideas, I stayed loyal to VF because this forum is a true gem, a little treasure... My deepest condolences to his family and the entire team. François may be gone, but his legacy will live on—I’m certain of it.

I didn’t know François personally, but I’ve browsed the site he created so often—I’ve spent so many hours there and found so much information for planning my trips—that I’m especially grateful to him.

This is such sad news, and my thoughts are with his loved ones.

Whether or not we share François's ideas, thank you to him for bringing us all together around a shared passion: travel.

My deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Deeply moved and shaken by the news of François Boucher's passing.

Through epistolary exchanges, so much is possible.

You can laugh out loud, cry, forge friendships, and sometimes even fall in love with the other person’s pen. You touch the soul.

So, there’s no need to have met you in person to feel like I’ve met you and know you just a little, François. You’re no longer in this world, but "I see you," as they say in *Avatar*. Everywhere on this forum.

Everywhere on this forum, which you brought to life—and revived!—and which changed the course of our paths and our lives in so many ways.

I want to express my gratitude for the wonder that is VoyageForum, for your tenacious fight against all odds to keep it afloat through adversity.... thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you. For all the marvels you helped bloom.

For your final journey, without passport or visa, you’ve gone ahead as a trailblazer... We’ll excuse you for not publishing a travel journal this time, but I hope we’ll discuss it "in the clouds."

I hope you left without pain, without fear, or regrets, and surrounded by love. My condolences to your family and loved ones.

I’d also like to take this moment to greet those with whom I’ve meaningfully exchanged messages here and formed bonds. The fact that we haven’t written—or seen—each other in a long time doesn’t change a thing: I still think of you with immense tenderness and a heart full of joy.

This is a postscript for the now-orphaned VF team: As they say, "What is essential is invisible to the eye."

Yet the news of François’s passing deserves a highly visible banner on the homepage, pinned at the top of the forum sections—at the very least, a newsletter... something that honors him obviously, not buried miserably at the bottom of a subforum between two discussion threads.

Sorry if this is too direct (I don’t speak corporate jargon or PERL), but learning this news by chance and with some delay while reading is quite shocking.

That said, good luck for what’s next.

Yet the announcement of François' passing deserves a highly visible banner on the homepage, pinned at the top of the section list, at the very least a newsletter... whatever it takes... something that pays him obvious tribute, not being miserably buried at the bottom of a section between two discussion threads.

... finding out about this news by chance and with more or less delay while reading is quite shocking.

Thank you. VF *owed* François more than this announcement tucked away in... Travel News, which ends with a job offer and slowly sinks into the depths of the forum.

Hello,

Just a quick reply to your accusation: no, we’re not leaving François to sink into the depths of VF. Everything takes time because it’s clear we owe it to him to pay proper tribute in partnership with his loved ones.

If you read our message carefully, it clearly states that François was the one handling all the technical side of the site... and no one else. To create a banner that stays on the homepage, you need to code—moderators don’t know how. Yes, really! We, too, would’ve liked a banner that stays visible on the homepage so everyone could pay their respects.

François’s sudden passing shocked us just as much as it shocked you. We posted that message with the technical knowledge we had. Asking for help with PERL wasn’t opportunism—it was an SOS (approved by his family, just so you know) to actually get a banner up.

Right now, we’re doing our best to keep this forum alive, something François cared about so deeply.

We’d appreciate it if you didn’t speculate when you have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes.

Best regards,

Hello,

This clarification is welcome and does you credit. Some of those who were quick to lecture others are now left looking a bit foolish.

Without going as far as being omnipresent, it’s good for participants to occasionally hear from the site’s moderators and have some dialogue with them.

As for speculation, it’s true that it’s one of the purest traits of human nature—and what makes us so imperfect. No matter how hard we try to fight it, it always comes galloping back...

I don’t even know why I clicked on "Ongoing Discussions" this morning—I never go there—and boom, I’m stunned. No, the word isn’t too strong; that’s exactly it. Wow, this world is crazy.

Dear François, So you’ve left too! Have you already reunited with the Yangguizi, Lepiaf, and Decléricy? From what I know of you all, you must be having a blast with your star-rating battles...

I’m sad.

hi

I also found the announcement of François's passing a bit rushed, so this clarification is welcome. I completely understand your SOS and sympathize. What a shock to discover this terrible news... VF changed my life 20 years ago by introducing me to people who truly resonate with me—many have become friends I still see today. I also found François’s stance during the health crisis courageous and honorable, refusing to turn VF into a platform promoting coercive measures. Finally, thanks to François, I’ve gathered tons of information here to plan my trips. There are definitely destinations I wouldn’t have dared or thought to visit if VF didn’t exist.

Thank you, François, for everything. I hope a successor will be found to continue your work in the spirit you created it.

Safe travels. Loic

Hi there,

I’m Jean-David. Sorry to hear about the passing of the site’s creator. I did quite a bit of PERL development a few years back, and now I mainly work in Python or JavaScript. I’d be happy to lend a hand. Feel free to reach out through the site, or let me know how to get in touch.

Best,

Jean-David

Hello, what news... I'm speechless...

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, travelers... to all those who knew this incredible creator.

May your soul rest in peace......

Thanks François for this amazing site (for me it’s the best) that really helped me plan trips and that makes me dream when I browse it when I’m not traveling.

Condolences to the family!

Gilles

It’s with a lot of emotion that I read this news… François was so much more than just a forum founder: he was a guide, an inspiration, a weaver of connections between travelers from all walks of life. He gave us a place to dream, to set off, to come back… Thank you, François, for creating this forum that’s been part of my journeys for 22 years. His final journey is beginning, but what he sowed continues to pave the way. My thoughts are with his loved ones and the whole community.

Warm regards, Athénaïs, Switzerland

Dear François,

Yours is the only forum I actively participate in. It’s a real success! I hope it’ll keep going. Thinking of you, your family, and loved ones. Rest in peace.

What a lousy day to start. Gray clouds in the sky over VoyageForum. Few words to express how much VoyageForum—and thus François Boucher—hold such an important place in my, our, lives. A member since 2005, so many virtual encounters and fueled daydreams, days spent gathering info and sharing it, debates that could get a bit heated over a destination, a guide, an address, or any other seemingly trivial topic that felt so meaningful in those shared moments among forum members. The Covid and post-Covid years without VoyageForum revealed just how essential this little corner of the internet had become for some of us—myself included. The passing of its creator is a shock and an immense sorrow. As my Bambara friends would say, may the earth rest lightly upon him.

My deepest condolences to François' family.

I stumbled upon this message by chance and, like many others, I’d like to express my gratitude to François. This forum is amazing, and it’s allowed me to plan incredible trips—trips we wouldn’t have been able to do without the help of so many members. Thank you, François, for creating this wonderful forum and for making sure it could come back to life after the Covid shutdown.

Rest in peace.

Ohhh François! You've left us! I'm stunned, heartbroken, and so sorry for those you loved and those who loved you.

"What will remain of you Is what you gave. Instead of keeping it in rusted safes..." Simone Veil __

Even though I understand the distress of the new owners of vf, I find it a shame that after such sad news, there’s a job posting like on leboncoin, right afterward.

Maybe if it had been in two separate messages, it would have seemed less… offhand.

Hi everyone,

I just found out that François passed away recently. I'm so devastated!

I worked for VoyageForum a few years ago, and François was such a passionate person, sparing no effort to make this site the go-to reference for travel.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who worked with him to build this site.

And I wish VoyageForum a long life in memory of François!

Hello,

I’ve just learned with great sadness of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum. His loss leaves a huge void in the Francophone travel community. A visionary and passionate man, he created a unique space for sharing, mutual support, and inspiration for thousands of globetrotters around the world.

Since 1997, thanks to his commitment and generosity, VoyageForum has become much more than just a website: it’s a close-knit community, a crossroads of experiences, stories, and invaluable tips. It’s allowed me to make virtual but still friendly connections.

We owe him countless enriching exchanges, fulfilled travel plans, and beautiful encounters among fellow travel enthusiasts.

In these sad moments, I want to express my deepest gratitude and send my sincerest thoughts to his loved ones.

Thank you, François, for everything you’ve sown. Your memory will continue to travel with us. JULIE

Bravo, Monsieur Boucher, for creating this fabulous site that is VF. I hope you were proud of it. No other site compares; proof of that is it survived the pandemic.

Rest in peace. Condolences to your family and loved ones.

I offer my sincere condolences to the loved ones of François Boucher, his immediate family, and his professional family. Thank you, François, for all those wonderful hours spent here dreaming of Travel and Adventure, and for making it easier to plan and prepare for my discoveries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Safe travels in the afterlife, François.

I don’t wanna bore you, but did you guys plan a little tribute on the forum?