An increasing number of people are sending their plush toys on international holidays

While thousands of Aussies have had their trips cancelled thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, two Queensland twins who hatched from a nursing home left the roost to visit France right on time.

TWINS of a different kind are stranded in Paris but they’re not crowing about it.

While thousands of would-be travellers have had their trips cancelled or postponed thanks to the global novel coronavirus pandemic, two crocheted chickens from Townsville have been off seeing the sights of France.

Originally bought from a Christmas market at a Townsville nursing home, Sloan and FluffnStuff are among a number of lucky ducks (err, chooks) owned by a growing trend of people who, unable to travel themselves, are paying to live vicariously through the adventures of their stuffed animals.

Alexander “Xan” McNabb’s two crocheted birds – dubbed “the twins” – arrived at Peluche Travel for their French holiday in January.

When Plush Toys storm Paris

Since then, the 11-year-old’s toys have been photographed at the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and have even spent a day at Disneyland Paris.

Sabine Passelegue, 50, started Peluche (‘plush’) Travel in September, 2014, after her daughter’s own stuffed toy bee, Zabeille, buzzed over to Japan to the original toy travel agency, Unagi Travel, earlier that year.

“All the family, my daughter, my husband and myself … had a smile on our face when we saw Zabeille on their Facebook page,” Mrs Passelegue told the Courier Mail.

Twin chooks FluffnStuff (green) and Sloan (blue) from Townsville are stuck in France thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Peluche Travel/Facebook

Sonoe Azuma started Unagi (which means ‘eel’) Travel in 2010 after her friends started taking her stuffed eel toy on trips while she stayed in Tokyo.

She realised it would be a fun way for those who could not travel to see some of the world.

A software engineer, Mrs Passelegue said she ran the travel company as a hobby.

Zabeille is the tour operator, and is seen in most photos posted to Facebook during the “live tours”.

Lara McNabb, 43, said she and her son love following the adventures via photo and video updates on the Peluche Travel Facebook page from their Townsville home.

“The bloody twins went to Disneyland Paris!” she laughed.

“There are videos of Sloan on the … teacup ride. It’s so far above and beyond what we expected.

“We’re kind of jealous.”

Twin chooks Sloan (pictured) and FluffnStuff, from Townsville, were enjoying their holiday when the French government started to shut down tourist spots in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak: Peluche Travel/Facebook

Xan said his dad Tim thought it was crazy to send the toys to France, but the Grade 6 pupil said it had been worth it.

“My Dad thought we were crazy to send stuffed toys to the other side of the world, but it's turned out to be educational, interesting and just splendid,” he said.

“I think it's absolutely awesome. They're going on all these great adventures to Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower and what have you,” Xan said.

“I never imagined that sending stuffed toys to another country would be so rewarding.”

Xan said his favourite thing was checking for the updates to see what adventures his toys had experienced.

“My favourite thing so far is getting updates, seeing all the photos, and realising that the stuffies that were just on the shelf in my room are in FRANCE, probably on another trip,” he said.

“I've always wanted to go to Paris but now I want to go more. I really want the twins to enjoy this because I probably won't get there.”

Alexander "Xan" McNabb of Townsville. Picture: Lara McNabb

Sloan (blue) and FluffnStuff (green) and another visiting guest stay fit in France while waiting for the global lockdowns to be lifted. Picture: Peluche Travel/Facebook

Xan said he had learnt a lot about Paris thanks to his toys.

“From looking at the photos I've realised Paris is a beautiful city with old and interesting architecture,” he said.

“The Old Town looks rich in history and there are buildings from the 1200s!”

Mrs Passelegue said the sightseeing, tours can include everything from a stop into a French restaurant, getting a “driving lesson” to cooking their own food and can vary from day trips to 15 days.

“As I live near Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage city, it was a tour easy to add,” she said.

“I also have and old 2CV car, and Beaujolais is a great wine area, 100 km from home, so I added that too.

“Paris was of course an important tour.”

Packages start from $70, including return postage and a souvenir for the owner.

Mrs Passelegue said some of the planned tours for this year had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Aussie twins and her other ‘guests’ are having an extended stay until it was safe to post them home again.