In 1994, Henri and Christina Tezenas du Montcel decided to create a place inspired by a USA summer camps for sick children founded in 1988 by the actor Paul Newman.
With the support of the foundation « Maison des Ailes – S.Deutsch de la Meurthe », L’ENVOL opened its first camps in the Château de Boulains, Echouboulains. The castle officially became a community health center as the national French healthcare agreed to cover most costs.