François Boucher (page 1 of 3)

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 François,

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