Ron Bexel
Best Dog Friendly Holidays France – The French are notoriously fond of their dogs. So it’s no surprise that France is a place where people travel with dogs, whether they’re traveling from across the Channel in the UK or further afield.
But despite this reputation, France is not the most dog-friendly country we visited in Europe. While your dog will usually be welcome by your side when you have a drink in a cafe or a meal
Best Dog Friendly Holidays France
Inside, there are some places in France where dogs are strictly prohibited (especially the nice parks) or they are technically not allowed (until recently this was for large dogs in the Paris metro, although attention has succeed).
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So if you are going to France with your dog, read on to find out everything about traveling with a dog in France.
It’s easy to bring your dog to France. The same rules apply to dogs traveling to France as dogs traveling to the rest of the EU (usually microchip, rabies vaccination and a minimum 21 day wait). Additionally, an EU animal health certificate or EU pet passport is required for those traveling from elsewhere in the EU, although in the latter case it is checked when crossing the border into France.
Please note that restrictions may apply to certain “dangerous” dog breeds traveling to France – see note at the end of this post.
For details on how to take your dog to France, whether from the UK, USA or the rest of the EU, read my full guide, which includes transport tips. I’ve also included a comprehensive guide to UK ships to France and their animal destinations.
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In France, many restaurants and parks allow dogs to eat, both inside and outside on the terrace. If you want to eat with your dog, it’s best to ask first (unless you see other dogs eating inside). And if the weather is good or your dog is not good, it is better to be outside in the big common areas.
After three visits to France, there was only one time when our dog was not allowed: sitting outside (not even inside!) a kebab shop in Strasbourg.
When traveling in France, we use the cheap lunch menu available in many restaurants throughout the country. Also, at lunch time we buy delicious baguette sandwiches from good French bakeries.
In addition to bakeries in the city center, large bakeries are often found in the outskirts of major cities, full of parking spaces, like a French alternative to a fast food restaurant! Although most bakeries don’t allow dogs in, we found an exception.
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The Boulangeries Feuillette chain has many branches around central France, including the Loire Valley. Although they are less expensive than other boulangeries, they usually have outdoor and indoor seating (often complete with comfortable beds and fireplaces!), and our dog is allowed to join us in the branches considerably. It’s also a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry. (Double check that this is still the case.)
If you are shopping with your dog, your best bet is to visit small shops right on the streets and pedestrian areas. Some supermarkets allow dogs in France, but not all. Dogs are not allowed in supermarkets.
This is an area where France is not as dog friendly as other European countries in the past, although the situation has improved.
In Paris, small dogs are allowed on all types of public transport (bus, metro, RER (train), trams and funicular) free of charge, but they are meant to be carried in a bag or basket that does not exceed 45 not cm. But with practice, I think as long as they are small and don’t bother you, you can carry them on your lap without a bag.
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We have taken our dog on the subway several times and have seen some small dogs on our laps and never had any problems. Large dogs are allowed on the metro and RER (train), not buses or trams, and must be on a lead or on a leash, but do not require a ticket. For full rules, click here.
In some French cities, the rules are different – there is no answer to the question of whether dogs are allowed on buses in France. In some cities, only small dogs in a bag or basket are allowed on public transport. This is reflected in the laws of Marseille and Lyon (at the time of our visit in 2018). In this case, these little dogs go free.
In contrast, there is no such restriction for Bordeaux (only French), as the rules only indicate that dogs must be on a lead or carried in a basket. Large dogs require a ticket, while small dogs on a carrier are free.
The rules often contain certain conditions that the dogs cannot cause damage or disturb other passengers. And if your dog is classified as a “dangerous” dog breed (see note above), it’s usually not allowed on public transport either.
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If you take long-distance trains, the rules apply. Yes, dogs of all sizes are allowed on trains in France, except for Eurostar to London. See example. SNCF animal policy.
Small animals, which must not exceed 10kg, must travel in a pet carrier that does not exceed 45cm x 30cm x 25cm, put them on your lap or for a fee. Large dogs must be on a leash and covered and walk at your feet.
A fixed fee of 7 euros is charged for small and large dogs. Excluding TGV Lyria, TGV France-Germany, TGV France-Italy, TGV France-Spain and TGV France-Brussels (but not TGV France-Luxembourg and France-Freiburg), where the average price is €20. big dogs.
Previously, large dogs were charged 50% of the second class fare on most trains, but this no longer applies. In addition, it should be noted that animals are not allowed on buses that change railway lines.
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If you bought your ticket online through a ticketing website without a pet ticket, allow yourself time to stop at the ticket counter before you go to buy an extra ticket for your dog.
Camp. (In my 2018 research, 50% of hotels in Nice and 37% of hotels in Paris allow dogs.)
If you’re traveling by road, we’ve found that most hotels outside the cities are affordable and reliable, and dogs are allowed. These include the Ibis, B&B and Campanile chains.
Usually the prices are around €50 per night, excluding breakfast, with an additional charge of around €5-10 for the dog. On the other hand, most smart hotels also accept dogs and will be ready to treat them, of course for a fee.
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, including those that can be booked through Airbnb, we note that linen (sheets and towels) are usually not included or an additional fee is charged for rent. Consider this if you don’t bring your own sheets and towels and check the details, otherwise you might be in for a surprise when you check in.
Compared to other European countries, dogs are rarely allowed in parks in France, especially in Paris. The last time we stayed in a house in Paris, there were two parks on the same street – both with no dogs signs at the entrance!
However, dog parks can be found, for example in Paris. If you have trouble finding it, ask your local or search online. Additionally, in January 2019 (after my last visit) many parks in Paris changed their rules to allow dogs. In these parks, however, dogs must be on a leash, and parks and playgrounds will not be connected.
While there is no chance that your dog will be with you when you visit the Louvre or climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris, there are many dog-friendly tourist options to visit with your dog in France. However, we found that France is a country where you need to check the rules at every tourist destination.
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Do you want to visit the famous Château with your dog? Many people in the Loire Valley allow dogs on their premises, and Chenonceau allows even small dogs to be in carriers inside. However, at Versailles dogs are not allowed in the official gardens, the same is the case at Fontainebleau.
However, be aware that France is not the best place to visit the beach with your dog, at least in the warmer months. During the summer, from mid-June to the end of September, most beaches do not allow dogs on them, and some beaches allow dogs until 5 pm. 8 and later
To further your search, I have put together this list of the best places to visit in France with a dog, which covers almost every corner of the country.
One of the most beautiful walks anywhere in the world is walking along the banks of the Seine in Paris. From the center of Île de la Cité (home to Notre Dame) to the park
