"We attended a family wedding in the UK (travelling from NZ) at the end of July 2025 and had decided that while we were on that side of the world, we would also travel to France to take in the Western side of the country.

Our knowledge of the French language is sadly, extremely limited, and we had concerns that this potentially could make things difficult for us.

We contacted Raphael Coutolleau of France Authentic Tours to see if he could assist us in any way – He seriously could not have been more helpful!!

Raphael and his family have lived and worked in New Zealand for many years before eventually returning to France – he speaks excellent English and interacts brilliantly with people from our side of the world – He even supports the All Blacks if they’re not playing Les Bleus!!

Raphael picked us up from Nantes Airport and delivered us to our accommodation. In advance of our arrival, he had prepared a full itinerary of things to see & places to visit – many of which involved interactions with local people and opportunities to stretch our limited French by doing things like “a native” as well as being “a tourist”.

Highlights included:

A visit to the Maulévrier Oriental Park & Gardens and playing pétanque with Maulévrier locals.

Attending the Cholet Markets with all the locals & visiting the cathedral there.

Attending a Latin mass at Bouille-Loretz, with an outdoor wine & supper with some of the congregation afterwards.

A visit to the impressive Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay in the Loire region.

A visit to the Domaine du Colombier Winery in Loire.

A trip to the seaside resort of Les Sable d’Olonne, sampling delicious wines, crepes, galettes & calvados as well as relaxing on the beach.

Raphael also delivered us to, and picked us up afterwards, from the huge Puy du Fou historical theme park where we spent an entire day visiting the attractions!

These is so much to see & experience in this part of the world, and it would be very easy to miss out on some of these attractions without the benefit of an experienced tour guide with superior local knowledge – even if that means knowing where to stop for the best food & wine (Raphael is indeed an expert in this field!).

Raphael – We both look forward to our return journey to your part of the world & catching up with you again! "

Joanne & Graham on a guided tour from New Zealand