Here are the best places to go on vacation with your pet
Le Diois: the best hikes
From the green meadows along the Drôme to the Vercors plateau, the Diois Drôme is pastoral land. As with anywhere herds graze, it’s not easy to know where to walk your dog, especially as restrictions change with the calendar. That’s why Pays Diois Tourisme publishes a year-round hiking guide with routes that are allowed in every season, such as in the Jarjatte valley, a luxurious nature reserve where dogs can dip their paws in the Mougious waterfall. The tourist office also offers a list of activities that are allowed with animals, such as visits to the cellars where Clairette de Die sparkles or exploring the distilleries, truffles and other breweries around Châtillon-en-Diois, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
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Champ la Chevre camp, Lus-la-Croix-Haute, in the middle of nature, with its lodges, cottages and chalets on stilts, got three Golden Truffles (see box) thanks to a “totubar” offering water and sweets. shower to wash your dog after the hike and “canisacs” distributed. From 50 euros per night in a cottage, from 75 euros in a premium chalet. campingchamplachevre.com.
Méribel: full of snow
Skiing with your dog is always a challenge because he will never feel welcome on the slopes. In addition, there are not many resorts that offer accessible trails for dog walking like Méribel: the cembros pine forest, the Plan de Tuéda nature reserve, one of the rare areas in Vanoise where dogs are allowed (mixed), the Fontany forest… We definitely recommend horses, buggies and on the animal trail, we will find life-size reproductions of deer and chamois hidden among the fir trees… and Milou will bring joy to his heart in the snow. Don’t forget the anti-cold cream on the pads and the sunscreen on the nose!
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Le Mottaret Apart from the swimming pool, spa and outdoor hot tub, it is part of the Madame Vacances chain, which has its own bar-lounge, restaurant, common areas, and is dog and cat-friendly (see box). Double room with breakfast from 88 euros per night in low season and 150 euros in season. hotellemottaret.com.
Troyes: pioneer of “tourism”.
We go with our dog to the tourist office of the city of Champagne and are given a small welcome box with “cleaning bags”, food, a guide and good addresses that accept animals. Let’s take a circuit that stays on theme with stops at a restaurant, a scenic lane of cats, the lions of the prefectural courtyard, the cheerful Ribambelle animal fountain or the Envolée migratory bird sculptures. where dogs are welcomed with “pets and cookies”. Troyes set an example in 2007: its “tourism office” was imitated and today thirty-five destinations are involved in the process (toutourismefrance.jimdofree.com).
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Hotel de la Poste & Spa, a four-star hotel located in the heart of the city, dogs are given special attention depending on their size and weight. From €145 per night in a double room.hotel-de-la-poste.com.
Camargue: from horsehair to white crocodiles
It’s hard to find a dog-friendly beach on the Mediterranean coast (see beaches.tv for a list of them). On the other hand, there is a refuge in the capital of the Camargue, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where they are welcomed on the shores in the off-season and even stay on the great eastern beach in the summer. In Shepherd City, almost all restaurants welcome our canine friends. It’s even possible to take them with you on a Tiki-III paddleboat that goes up into the heart of the swamps to meet the herds. They are also allowed 12 km from the sunken dam to the sea in the center of the Camargue between the sallies and flights of pink flamingos.
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Mas Cacharelwhere was it taken? Horsehair-White, 1953 Palm branch greets cats and dogs amidst reeds. The rooms are decorated with scenes from the movie. From €149 per night in a double room. hotel-cacharel.com.
Two sites to prepare
- emmenetonchien.com ranks the Golden Truffles from one to four with “dog-friendly” addresses (dogs welcome), accommodations, activities and restaurants.
- madamevacances.com selects dog and cat friendly accommodations in its hotels and vacation rentals.
Train or plane?
While it’s easy to travel with your pet by train (an SNCF ticket costs €7 for a small dog or cat, €20 for a large dog), flying is less accessible and not very practical. Most airlines impose strict weight restrictions, which prevent the animal from traveling in the cabin and send it to a special compartment in the hold. Only one animal per plane is often the rule, and there is a risk of loss of “luggage” …
