Indulgent relaxation at dog-friendly villas in France
There are few things more relaxing than staying at a beautiful French villa. Kicking back with a good book, feeling the sun beating down on your face and taking a dip in the pool when you need to cool off – it really is the good life. The only thing that could be better is doing all of the above with your furry best friend by your side. To help you plan your trip, we’ve rounded up five of our favourite dog-friendly villas in France – expect sun-drenched terraces, al fresco dinners and gorgeous local walks.
Basetxe, Var
This traditional stone bergerie near Provence, perched atop a hill and surrounded by woodland, makes you feel miles away from anyone or anything, but a quick drive or half-hour walk will take you to Seillans for cafés, restaurants and shops. Keen chefs will love the kitchen, which has everything you’d need and more for cooking up a feast. Basic provisions, eggs, a bottle of wine and fresh fruit from the garden are all provided to get you started. This is a place to truly unwind, and the four terraces mean you have plenty of choice when it comes to finding a chill-out spot. Sunbathe by the pool, read your book beneath a tree or fire up the barbecue and dine al fresco – there are plenty of shady areas for your dog too. Fresh figs can be sampled onsite if you’re lucky enough to visit in August. If you feel like venturing out, there’s an abundance of local fruit and veg markets nearby, and the Route du Muy and Lac de St Cassien are great choices for walks and hikes.
Villa Germiny
Dog-friendly villas in France don’t get much more picturesque than this. Overlooking the Sables Blancs beach and surrounded by cypresses and roses, Villa Germiny is a seaside lover’s dream. French doors lead onto your own private terrace, and the bedrooms are colourful and comfortable. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need, but if you’d rather be cooked for, just stroll into the village for dinner at one of the many restaurants. You and your dog will love being a five-minute walk from the beach, and there are many more fantastic stretches of coastline to explore nearby, as well as charming towns and villages such as Roscoff, Morlaix and Lannion. Visit local markets and fishmongers to stock up for dinner, and spend evenings on the terrace or picnicking on the lawn facing the sea.
Villa Casaroom
Collioure, right down on the border with Spain, has long been home to a community of artists, drawn to its stunning coast and colourful town. The villa’s owner, Caroline, has matched that flair with her own, creating a place of style and beauty. From your beautiful base, you can wander the streets, head down to the beach for a paddle and take in the chapels and spires that have appeared in many artworks throughout the years. If you want any tips on what to do with the dog, ask Caroline, as she and husband Denis live nearby with their own rescue dog, Skipper.
La Petite Shambhala
A contemporary villa with a swimming pool and garden right on the Dordogne River. It’s one of our favourite dog-friendly cottages in France for exploring the beautiful Dordogne and Gironde regions, with Medieval St-Émilion just half an hour’s drive away, and Bergerac 45 minutes. Arrive to pour a glass of wine from the complimentary bottle left for you, and spend days kicking back in your private riverside garden, cooking on the barbecue or swimming in the pool across the lane. This is a calming place to be, with interesting artwork on the walls (your host is an art-dealer) and a lovely kitchen for cooking your meals. You’re in a quiet hamlet, and a ten minute stroll along the river will take you to Pessac for fresh bread from the boulangerie, fruit and veg from the greengrocer’s or a meal at a restaurant. Wine connoisseurs will love being close to thousands of vineyards – ask your host about the best ones. On the Dordogne River you can fish, wild swim, take a boat trip or simply enjoy some stunning walks.
Beaurecueil
With the white walls, tiled roof, trailing plants over the terrace and olive groves stretching away in front of you, it’s hard to believe this isn’t Tuscany. Don’t bank on seeing any familiar landmarks either, because despite being in the centre of Provence this is blissfully remote rural France, with a bumpy approach to a beautiful villa that feels lost in time. The hills all around are strung with fabulous walking trails, but if you’ve got a well-behaved dog you could, with a little drive, drop into any of the villages around Cotignac and catch a play or a film.
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
Claire Maguire
Claire combines her twin loves of writing and travel to create inspiring blog content. Rudi combines his twin loves of baths and chasing squirrels to excuse getting as muddy as possible whenever he can. He hates missing out, so finding dog-friendly places is an absolute must. Claire loves a place with a stunning interior and is thankful Rudi is well-behaved enough to leave it the way they find it, unless there are slippers to be eaten.
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