 Defeated in her canton of Nantes in the elections of 2004, she carried out the function of secretary of the French Senate until October 2008, when she was elected Vice President of the High Assembly.In 2010, Papon was awarded an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by President of the Republic of China Ma Ying-jeou.She received the Legion of Honour in 2012, as an officer of the order.