After years spent living in Aotearoa, Frenchman François Husillos decided to create lifechanging travel experiences for New Zealanders wishing to visit his homeland. And so, Kiwis in France was born.
“Living in New Zealand for so long definitely gave me a different lens on my home country,” he tells Verve. “What struck me was noticing, almost for the first time, how deeply culture, history and gastronomy are woven into everyday French life. Everything moves at a slower pace here. Social time matters enormously, and any occasion – a coffee, a market morning, a Sunday lunch – is a good enough reason to catch up with friends!”
What does the “real France” mean to you?
The real France means real moments. It’s also about people – sharing a smile, starting a conversation at the market or in the street. French people have a reputation for being a bit rude. Approach them with a smile and a proper bonjour, though, and you open a Pandora’s box! They’ll tell you what they do and what drives them, with a passion you’ve rarely seen elsewhere.
The “real France” is discovering traditions, culture and generosity in places you’d least expect. You walk into what looks like a grubby old pub and walk out with the best meal you’ve ever tasted. The “real France” is the one you don’t find on postcards – and it’s exactly what I built Kiwis in France to go looking for.
What do Kiwis respond to about French life?
Travellers never imagined they’d see so much diversity in such a short time and such a small area. After a couple of days, they get it: good things take time. Food is very often the highlight. The diversity of flavours, the quality of the produce, the care in every single thing on the plate.
Any regional foods or experiences every visitor should seek out?
French food is about celebrating fresh, seasonal produce, so every region has its own specialities. Just know your main ingredient – beef, chicken, fish – and trust the rest of the experience. A Kiwi once told me while I was living in New Zealand: “Always trust a local.” That was true in New Zealand, and it’s even truer in France.
Why keep the groups small?
Small groups are where the magic happens. A local inviting you for dinner, showing you his art or his craft – that doesn’t happen with a group of 25. That’s why I cap each tour at six people. This size is perfect for travelling exclusively with your friends. I like to say, “You’re not going on a tour, you’re going on holiday with a private guide.” And that difference is much bigger than you’d expect. Every client of mine has become a genuine friend, and I now visit them whenever I’m back in New Zealand.
Beyond Paris, where would you send a first-time visitor?
Keep Paris to three days, then go anywhere except the French Riviera – that’s not what the real France is about. I’d start with the Basque Country – mountains rolling down into the Atlantic, a deep rugby tradition, even a whitebait season. I also take small groups through Bordeaux and Périgord, the Loire Valley, and Brittany and Normandy for a wilder coastline and a whole other side of French history.
What’s it like bringing Kiwis around the country you grew up in?
Watching them come out of day one wide-eyed and full of thanks – that’s when I know the rest of the trip is going to be a treat. Making sure people have a great time and leave with lifelong memories has always been the goal. That’s exactly why my clients leave as friends… and why some of them come back for another tour!
Visit kiwisinfrance.com to find out more information.
