Our pick of dog-friendly places to stay in France
Nothing beats the feeling of exploring new places with your best friend by your side. France is a brilliant destination for dogs, there’s endless countryside to roam free and beautiful beaches to enjoy the surf and sun. We select five of our special places to stay so you can ensure you have only the very best dog friendly holidays in France.
Château de Colombières sur Orb, Hérault
This family-owned château and its cluster of old buildings have a wonderfully peaceful feel. Sebastien knows every corner of the unspoilt landscape he grew up in and can guide you to the best spots for everything from climbing to trout fishing. It’s perfect for a couple or as a group and the dog will love all the space there is to explore. Take the bikes for off-road cycling, splash around in the pool or enjoy a game of boules or two. You can pick up local produce at the market, then cook it on the stone barbecue out in the courtyard. Catch sunset from the top of the 11th-century tower, or sip a fine local wine on your terrace.
Domaine de Labarthe
One wing of this elegant country home is given over to guests, with plenty of room for you to find a bit of peace. You’d be well advised to join your hosts for dinner at least once though, as chef Laurence’s fantastic culinary skill is worth a visit alone. Add in the heated pool, yoga classes, wine routes, extensive grounds for morning walks and even two well-behaved resident dogs for yours to make friends with, and you’ve got a stay that gives you a wonderful experience of laid-back rural France. There are day trips to spectacular food markets, medieval Cahors or a huge number of great wineries, but remember to relax, have a drink by the pool and let the smells coming from the kitchen get your appetite going.
Domaine de la Trigalière – La Dreuserie, Loire Valley
If you’re looking to keep a water-loving hound happy, then a private lake might just do it. Set in an estate in the quintessential Loire Valley, this 18th-century ‘longere’ is one of three in a small hamlet with a shared lawn and private gardens. Go kayaking or boating on the lake, swimming in the pool or walking in the surrounding countryside. The delights of the Loire are all close by, and the vibrant city of Tours within a half hour’s drive. After busy days of activities, you’ll all be ready for a relaxing evening under the stars and a snooze in the comfortable beds.
Closerie Laroche
This is absolutely classic France, with uneven old stone walls and gravel courtyards giving you that laid back country feeling. Miles from anywhere, in the countryside between Poitiers and Bordeaux, this is a place to stock up and settle in, spending days on long hill walks with the dog and nights by the pool, firing up the bbq and, later, gathered round the firebowl. Bringing the dog is not just a good idea, but one warmly welcomed by the owners, who provide dog treats, a towel, bowl and blanket so that your hound feels as at home as you do. Humans aren’t neglected either, with a welcome hamper brimming with local wine, cheese and bread getting your holiday off to a delicious start.
Moreau – Le Pressoir, Charente-Maritime
This elegant 18th-century farmhouse provides an idyllic country getaway, and is great for little dog-friendly stopovers on the way to and from Bordeaux. Inside, find a treasure chest of antiques: recycled front doors from a local château, a lovely pine armoire from a priest’s house and chandeliers from Nantes. Big French windows open out onto the walled terrace and a well-sized garden just behind, perfect for sunny breakfasts. Leave for walks straight from the door, through the forest or out into the rolling countryside with the dog. The local market runs every Wednesday and Saturday, so take a basket and stock up. You’re in the prime spot to enjoy delicious homemade lunch in serene surroundings.
Le Jas du Boeuf
A gorgeous place in the foothills between the Lure and Luberon mountains. Halfway up the peak that rises behind the house, you can check out Notre-Dame de Lure, a 12th-century chapel with its very own hermit. Nearby, you’ll also find Banon, a beautiful village perched on a hill, that somehow boasts one of the largest independent bookstores in France, as well as some nice shops and restaurants. There is a surcharge of €10 per day per dog of less than 10 kg; €15 per day for more than 10 kg, but it’s more than worth bringing them along for all the spectacular walking, trips to Forcalquier’s lovely morning markets and the warm hospitality of Jérôme & Dana.
La Porte Rouge
France is dotted with small, quiet towns that might not draw the tourists, but are simply lovely places to be, perhaps all the more so for their lack of fame. Saintes, north of Bordeaux, is a fine example and La Porte Rouge, a B&B run by well-travelled hosts Monique and Jim, is the perfect place to feel at home there for a while. You can wander over to Cognac or beaches washed by the Atlantic, take a boat down the Charente or visit numerous historic sites. Your dog will be more than welcome and will probably handle the stairs to the bedrooms better than you, especially if you’ve got involved in a bit of local sampling!
Vive la France
This article is part of Vive la France, the home of inspiring itineraries and stories from travel writers and our team, to help you plan your next French adventure.
Written by
Ella Perryman
Ella has a great eye for telling a story in a full article or a single picture. Marshall only has eyes for anyone who’ll give him a scratch or a biscuit. He’s also partial to a wander in the woods and days spent digging in the sand. Together, they’re a coastal adventure dream team who love heading back to Ella’s Devon roots or exploring the rugged fringes of Wales.
Sign up to our newsletter
We’d love you to join our community! Receive a bi-weekly dose of
dog-friendly travel inspiration and be the first to hear about brand new spaces.
