We have visited France with our dog several times. The first trips were with Arturo, our wonderful Golden Retriever, with whom we shared our lives and travels for nearly sixteen years. We visited the South of France with him—exploring the French Riviera, Provence, and the Camargue and even hit the ski slopes of Megève. It was precisely to share these and other four-legged adventures that the idea for Città Meridiane was born eleven years ago: a travel magazine dedicated to those who want to travel with their large, furry friends.
A month of travel and pet-friendly destinations
A month of travel
This time, we spent a month in France showcasing pet-friendly destinations in collaboration with Atout France – the French Tourism Development Agency – as part of the Explore France promotional campaign. How would we describe this road trip? As an album filled with every kind of wonder! From art and design to castles – standing like stone butterflies keeping watch over the surrounding lands from atop steep cliffs and rugged hills – and the quintessential French bon vivre, which we happily paired with the Italian dolce vita.
Chambéry and the douce France
This feature – as we discovered in Chambéry, the final stop of our month-long trip to France – is a hallmark of the Savoy region. Indeed, the area is not so far removed from our own homeland, either geographically or historically, given that it is the ancestral home of the House of Savoy. Located in the heart of Chambéry, right beneath the arcades that give the town such a strong resemblance to Turin, the Hôtel des Princes is housed in a former Poor Clares convent and offers the perfect base for exploring the town with your four-legged friend.
You can reach the house where the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau once lived—now known as the Maison de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, on foot in about twenty minutes from the city center by following the “Promenade de Jean-Jacques Rousseau”. While dogs are not permitted inside the house itself, they have free access to the beautiful surrounding garden. Otto was also able to join us for lunch at the Ô Pervenches restaurant, which serves delicious gourmet cuisine with a view of the mountains.
Pet-friendly tourism
The common thread of this tour—which took us from the Loire to Chambéry, passing through Dijon, Besançon, Normandy, Brittany and Loches in the heart of the Loire Valley and then on to Auvergne amidst the extinct volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys and the striking “black” city of Clermont-Ferrand, built from volcanic stone, was pet travel: traveling with one’s pet.
Haut-Bugey: a paradise for travelers with dogs
The most pet-friendly stop of all? Nantua in the Haut-Bugey region (Ain department), a true paradise for four-legged friends. Upon arrival, they are welcomed at the local Tourist Office with gifts designed to make their stay more enjoyable, along with a comprehensive guide featuring itineraries and experiences to share. Naturally, our own Otto received his pet souvenirs and proudly wore his bandana while we hiked in the footsteps of the French Resistance. We felt a deep emotional resonance throughout the journey along mountain trails that bore witness to partisan actions against the Nazi occupation, though Otto’s attention was captured primarily by the grazing herds!
The jewel in Nantua’s crown is its lake, featuring deep waters that shift from blue to dark green, which offers a wonderfully relaxing setting for walks with your four-legged companion. Several free swimming areas are accessible to dogs, which are also allowed on pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards (SUP). Thanks to its truly dog-friendly atmosphere, the Haut Bugey region has earned the “Destination QUALIDOG” certification, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through France with their furry friend.
Between past and future: Rouen and Nantes
The magic of this tour of France lay in experiencing the blend of past and future: from Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans, who was tried and condemned to the stake in Rouen but later exonerated, a story recounted during the interactive visit to the Historial Jeanne d’Arc, to unexpected glimpses of the future found in places like Firminy – home to the Le Corbusier Site, the visionary architect’s largest European complex – and the Cité du Design in Saint-Étienne.
Then there is Nantes, a city that transformed its abandoned shipyards to become a European capital of creativity and innovation. It is also a very dog-friendly city, where pets are welcome in almost all establishments, from cafés to restaurants. Dogs often receive tasty little treats along with the water bowl that is invariably offered, just as happened to our dog, Otto. Our recommendation? Grab an outdoor table at the Café de l’Orangerie and enjoy the scents of exotic plants in the Jardin des Plantes, one of France’s four most important botanical gardens.
Strolling amidst the greenery
During our tour, there were many opportunities for walks amidst the greenery. The Gorges de la Loire near Saint-Étienne were magnificent, the spot where France’s longest river begins its journey between steep cliffs and lookout castles. Equally wonderful were the garden villages of Beaulieu-lès-Loches and Chédigny, located near Loches, the Cité Royale in the heart of the Loire Valley.
Saint-Étienne and the surrounding area
Hiking the trails overlooking the gorges with Otto allowed us to admire stunning views of the Loire River and Lake Grangent. Our route then took us to the charming medieval village of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, where we stopped for lunch at the Victor Brasserie; in addition to excellent food, the venue offers a breathtaking view and welcomes four-legged companions.
For the night, we, Otto included, received a warm welcome from the staff at the Hôtel du Golf, just outside Saint-Étienne. We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at L’Albatros, served on the terrace overlooking the pool. On our first evening in the city, we visited La Commune Mazerat, an indoor market and multi-purpose space featuring various food stalls. The setting for our final lunch before leaving Saint-Étienne was also unique: the stadium of “Les Verts” (the local football team), where dogs are welcome at the Brasserie Geoffroy Guichard.
In the Name of the Rose in Chédigny
Strolls through the greenery, amidst the roses and perennial plants of Chédigny, a village designated a “Jardin Remarquable” (Remarkable Garden)—are beautiful and relaxing. A stop at the Presbytère – Maison Flore is a must; it is a unique spot set in a stunning garden that welcomes dogs of all sizes.
Among the 80 extinct volcanoes of Auvergne
Visiting the Chaîne des Puys in Auvergne, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising around 80 extinct volcanoes, is an ideal outing with your four-legged friend. The best way to explore the area is to take the cog train to the summit of the Puy de Dôme, the highest volcano; it is an adventure we shared with our dog, Otto, as dogs are permitted on board with a valid ticket. Dogs are also welcome at Volcan de Lemptégy for a unique guided tour that takes you into the heart of a crater and explores the site’s industrial past. Meanwhile, you are free to enjoy leisurely walks in the countryside around Montpeyroux, one of the villages belonging to the “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France) association.
After the physical activity, relaxation awaits in the comfortable rooms of the Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte in the center of Clermont-Ferrand. Here, dogs are treated as special guests from the moment they arrive in the lobby, where a dedicated corner features a basket full of toys just for them.
A comprehensive journey
Over the course of a month in France, our journey, undertaken with our dog, led us to discover the traditions, history, gastronomy, and natural beauty of a rich and incredibly diverse region. It was all encompassed within a loop – or a boucle, as they say in France – formed by the intertwining of history and culture; elements essential to the magic this land possesses and shares, in some measure, with those who choose to visit it.
Magical Normandy
The most magical moment was experiencing the atmosphere of the “voyage pittoresque” undertaken by artists and writers in Normandy, specifically in Rouen, Honfleur, and Le Havre, destinations that have long attracted travelers who appreciate the good life. Today, Le Havre is far removed from the image of a classic Norman town with half-timbered houses, having been completely rebuilt in reinforced concrete after the war. A boat tour of the port – France’s busiest for container traffic – is a highlight, and you can even bring your four-legged friend along.
Wild Brittany
Along the route of lighthouses and castles in Brittany lies another perfect spot for pet travel: Fort La Latte, near the Cap Fréhel lighthouse. This dramatic castle, perched right above the sea, is privately owned, yet it shows its pet-friendly attitude right at the entrance by keeping a bowl of fresh water available for four-legged visitors. Otto climbed to the top of the highest tower with us, where we enjoyed a spectacular view of the coastline and the entire Bay of Saint-Malo.
A Night at the Castle
Another magical place with a fairytale atmosphere is the Château de Codignat, nestled amidst the lush forests and volcanoes of Auvergne. It is a genuine castle—steeped in history within its thick walls, where we spent the night with Otto, lulled by the spirit of fables and legends.
In collaboration with Explore France
How can we help you plan a trip to France with your dog?
Since 2015, we have been regularly publishing content on our blog Città Meridiane, focused on traveling with a four-legged companion. However, our journeys with our four-legged friends go back much further, starting way back in 2000 with our first dog, Arturo, a wonderfully sweet Golden Retriever. So, who better than us to help you plan your trip to France with your dog?
The Goal of the Città Meridiane Blog
The aim of our blog is to share the stories of our travels – first with Arturo and later with Otto – and to offer our readers tailor-made itineraries that are not only well-organized and full of useful tips but also perfectly suited to each person’s unique travel style.
Personalized Consultation
The first service we offer is a fully personalized consultation. We work together to create an itinerary from scratch, or we can optimize a plan you have already drafted by incorporating our own suggestions.
How does it work? Simply contact us and share the itinerary you have in mind, including your planned stops and timing. We provide advice on managing distances and travel, as well as recommendations for dog-friendly places to eat and stay. Everything is personally tested, on our own two feet and on the four paws of our dog, Otto.
Our consultation is invaluable if you want to organize your trip to France independently but already have a clear idea of your plans, helping you avoid mistakes and wasted time.
Personalized Guide for a Trip to France
Our second service is a personalized guide. To create it, we need to know what kind of travelers you are, and whether your dog is accustomed to traveling with you and by what means of transport.
We also need to know what you would like to see and where you prefer to stay. At this point, we can create a truly bespoke guide for you with the consultancy and in collaboration with Atout France, the French Tourism Development Agency. It is not just a simple list of stops, but a detailed day-by-day itinerary tailored to your available time, complete with practical tips and a dedicated section addressing your travel companion’s needs. It is the ideal solution if you want concrete support while maintaining the freedom to manage everything independently.
Full-Service Tour of France with your dog
For those who prefer comprehensive guidance, we offer a full-service option. If you would rather not handle the logistics yourself, we can manage the entire trip organization for you. We partner with a tour operator that, working from the itinerary we design for you, can take care of everything else: booking your chosen transport and hotels, arranging car rentals, and organizing activities you can enjoy with your four-legged friend.
Please feel free to contact us by emailing cittameridiane@gmail.com, making sure to include “France” in the subject line.
