OUR STORY
Boutique Tours France was born in 2016 from Patsy’s love of travel, French culture, and language. As the founder, she was delighted to bring her idea to life and to partner with Catherine in creating something truly special. What began with just one guided tour to Normandy and Brittany in the northwest of France soon blossomed into much more. With Catherine’s roots in Brittany, we had an incredible network and deep local knowledge that made our very first tour a success.
From the beginning, our travellers told us how much they loved our partnership. We discovered we made a great team—supportive, relaxed, and full of enthusiasm—and soon the business flourished. By 2019, we had grown from one tour to four: two in Normandy–Brittany and two in Provence.
Then came Covid-19 and the sudden halt to travel. Rather than stop completely, we decided that if we couldn’t take people to France, we’d bring a slice of France to New Zealand. In 2020, we began hosting French language immersion weekends in the North Island, which proved to be another great success—every weekend in 2021 sold out!
Before long, clients were asking for private, tailor-made immersion weekends for families and friends, and we were delighted to make that happen. We still offer these private bookings today, alongside our group events, for anyone wanting a weekend with a touch of French flair.
In 2023, we were thrilled to return to France with two successful tours, and in 2024 we expanded further—hosting three tours to France and two Ateliers in New Zealand. In 2025, we ran four tours to France, including The Magic of the Dordogne, our brand-new itinerary that was mainly booked with returning customers—a wonderful reflection of the loyal community we’ve built over the years.
As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’re excited to share what’s next. In 2026, we are launching an exceptional new 5-day guided tour, The Châteaux of the Loire—a journey that can be booked on its own or as an add-on to the Dordogne tour.
For those looking to explore even more, our Provence and Normandy–Brittany tours can also be enjoyed back-to-back, with a few relaxing transfer days in the charming town of Beaune.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come—from one tour to several, from uncertainty to growth. What began as Patsy’s dream and a shared passion between two friends has become a thriving business built on connection, curiosity, and a deep love of France.
À très bientôt,
Patsy & Catherine
