France

A husky at the dog friendly gorges de la meouge in the Provence

Visit the Provence with your dog

Discover the beauty of Provence, a sun-soaked region in the south of France, renowned for its lavender fields, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. This area may have been one of the dog friendliest places I have traveled to outside of Scandinavia. My two huskies joined us on every single adventure and we didn't come across one place which was off limits for dogs, and that in high season. The Provence truly offers an ideal destination for dog-friendly travel.

The must-visit dog friendly places in the Provence - summer edition

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Forcalquier

We stayed in Forcalquier during our trip and absolutely fell in love with the town. The weekly market on Monday morning is a must-visit, it's one of the biggest in the Provence. As we stayed in this town, we didn't bring the dogs to the market, but there's no problem in bringing them along. Another great activity in this town is to wander through the beautiful cobble stone streets and make your way up to the Citadel, you'll be awarded with beautiful views. As we stayed Forcalquier, we tried some of the local restaurants and these three are definitely worth a try:

- Aigo Blanco (very fast service and local dishes)
- Chez Don Giovanni (adorable family run pizza place with delicious and huge pizzas)

- L'Atelier de Margaux (great fusion dishes)

Lac de Sainte-Croix & Gorges du Verdon

This turquoise lake is absolutely stunning and perfect for a refreshing swim or a scenic boat ride with your dog. The lake is nestled at the foot of the Gorges du Verdon, Europe's deepest canyon. We came here on a relatively warm day in July, packed with our inflatable kayak and the dog's their swimming vests. It's an incredible place to bring a SUP, canoe or kayak and go for a ride and swim. You can also rent pedal boats at the lake, we even saw a dog on those!

Must visit dog friendly lac de sainte-croix with huskies

La Route des Crêtes

Driving along La Route des Crêtes, which is near Lac de Sainte-Croix, was one of those experiences that truly takes your breath away. The winding road, perched high above the Gorges du Verdon, offers some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen. The dogs seemed just as captivated as I was, poking their heads out the window to catch the breeze as we stopped at the viewpoints along the way. There's many viewpoints where you can beautiful views of mountains, turquoise waters and greenery. We did the drive first before going to the lake to cool off in the water with the dogs.

Gorges de la Méouge

We went to Gorges de la Méouge on a sunny afternoon and it's truly a slice of paradise tucked away in the Provence. There's a beautiful river that winds through a dramatic gorge, creating the perfect spot for a refreshing swim. The crystal-clear waters were ideal for cooling off on a warm day, and my dogs had the time of their life splashing around and exploring the rocky banks. I did bring a swimming vest for them, just in case the current would be too much. But it wasn't really necessary in the end. The views were stunning, with the gorge's natural stone formations and gentle waterfalls offering a peaceful escape into nature. There's no parking at the swimming spot, as it's next to a road. We ended up parking in the town and walking there. But there's also two big parking lots with a shuttle service in the summer, which I believe is dog-friendly.

Sisteron

After our afternoon at the Gorges de la Méouge, we were looking for a place to grab some dinner and ended up stopping in Sisteron, often called the "Gateway to Provence,". A beautiful village nestled between cliffs and the Durance River, creating a stunning backdrop that feels like stepping into a postcard. We strolled through the charming streets with the dogs, before finding a cute crepe place where we had some delicious classic French crepes. We couldn't resist stopping for a treat after as the ice cream simply looked too good to pass up.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon

We decided to drive to this region to explore a couple of different places and once we came across this beautiful lake we knew that on our way back we were going to stop here to go to one of the beaches. The lake is characterised by shimmering waters surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, incredibly green as well. We parked our car near one of the beaches (the beach where Glisscool Stand Up Paddle is located) and were very happy with our spot. I took Dunya on a bit of a walk around the area and the views were stunning. We didn't end up staying for very long due to incoming rain/storm, but it was well worth it.

Petrified Fountain of Réotier

One of the places we visited on the same day as Lac de Serre-Ponçon. The fountain itself is a natural formation, where mineral-rich water cascades down, leaving behind stunning layers of limestone. We took the dogs on a leisurely walk to reach it, and the journey was just as rewarding as the destination. Along the way, we encountered several beautiful viewpoints, each offering a different perspective of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Especially once you walk a little further after reaching the fountain, you will find beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and the greenery surrounding it.

Gordes, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Roussillon

One afternoon, we set out to explore three of Provence’s most enchanting towns, each offering its own unique charm. Our first stop was L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a town crisscrossed by canals, where we wandered through narrow streets lined with antique shops and enjoyed the soothing sound of the flowing water. From there, we headed to Gordes, a hilltop village with stunning stone buildings cascading down the hillside, providing panoramic views of the lush countryside. As evening approached, we made our way to Roussillon, where the warm glow of the setting sun lit up the town’s ochre cliffs and buildings, truly a magical sight. We ended up having pizzas here with a stunning view.

Cascades du Sautadet

We visited Cascades du Sautadet on a warm summer day and it was such a beautiful spot to explore. From the parking lot it’s only a short walk before you reach the dramatic waterfalls – swimming isn’t allowed there, but it’s definitely worth stopping to take in the view. If you continue along the path, you’ll find a stunning swimming area further down the river. The water here is crystal clear, and it’s a great place for dogs to cool off. They can easily wade in from the pebble beach or just splash their paws at the edge if they’re not big swimmers. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to stay for a while, so bringing a chair or blanket is a good idea. Parking is paid, and note that the campsite nearby has “claimed” the swimming spot and charges €3 per person to access it (dogs are free). Still, it’s absolutely worth it for such a refreshing and scenic stop.

Calanque de Sugiton

We hiked to Calanque de Sugiton in the Calanques National Park and it was one of the highlights of our Provence trip. You do need to reserve your spot online three days in advance, but it’s absolutely worth it. The trail itself is stunning, with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean as you make your way down. It should only take about an hour to reach the beach, but make sure to keep an eye on Google Maps – we blindly followed another path and ended up turning it into a 3.5-hour hike (not that we minded, the views were incredible!). Once you arrive, the beach is magical: turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, and the perfect spot to cool off after the walk. It can get very hot here, so I’d recommend starting early in the day or even going on a cooler or rainy day like we did. And definitely bring plenty of water – both for yourself and your dog.

Cascade lauzon Lurs

We stopped by the waterfall in Lurs one late afternoon to let the dogs cool off, and it turned out to be such a fun spot. The water might look a bit murky at first, but that’s just the muddy bottom, it’s perfectly fine for swimming. The view of the waterfall itself is really pretty, and if you’re up for a little climb over the rocks, it’s even more beautiful up close (though be careful, as it can get slippery!). My huskies had the best time here, swimming non-stop and chasing after sticks in the water. It’s also super easy to combine this with a visit to Forcalquier, which is just a 10-minute drive away and well worth checking out.

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Dog friendly places in the rest of France

Metz

We went to Metz to visit the Christmas market, and it turned out to be such a lovely city to explore with the dogs. The Christmas market can get pretty busy, so if you want to bring your dog along, they definitely need to be comfortable and chill in crowded environments. That said, Metz is also well worth visiting at any other time of the year. The city has so many beautiful buildings, pretty streets, and little spots to discover, and it’s super easy to explore everything on foot. We really enjoyed just wandering around with the dogs and taking in the atmosphere. And if you happen to visit during Christmas, the market makes it feel extra magical!

Dijon

We visited Dijon with the dogs and absolutely loved how dog-friendly the city felt. It’s such a beautiful place to explore on foot, with gorgeous buildings, pretty streets, and plenty of great food to enjoy along the way. We even spotted multiple dog bowls outside shops, which is always a nice little detail when you’re travelling with your pup. Our husky x golden retriever was especially fond of the fountains on the main square, happily stopping for a little splash. They’re also a great spot to let your dog cool off during the warmer summer months! Overall, Dijon is an easy and really enjoyable city to explore with your dog, especially if you’re looking for a mix of beautiful sights, good food, and a very welcoming atmosphere.

Alsace

Riquewihr & Colmar

We visited both Riquewihr and Colmar with the dogs, and these two places are honestly some of the prettiest spots to visit in Alsace. They’re very close to each other, so it’s super easy to combine them in the same day. Riquewihr feels like stepping into a fairytale, with its colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and charming little lanes. Colmar is a bit bigger and has a more lively feel, with beautiful canals, colourful buildings, and plenty of lovely streets to wander around. Both are incredibly photogenic and so much fun to explore on foot with the dogs. They can get busy, especially in the popular areas, but if you visit a little earlier or later in the day, you can really enjoy the charm of these beautiful Alsatian towns.

Ballon d'Alsace (hike & viewpoint)

We visited Ballon d’Alsace in early January, and luckily there was some snow around, which our huskies absolutely loved. It’s a really beautiful area for a walk, with a nice viewpoint where you can take in the surrounding mountains and landscape. There are also plenty of other hiking trails in the area if you want to spend a little more time exploring. We really enjoyed the combination of an easy scenic walk and the viewpoint, and with a bit of snow, it felt extra magical. Definitely a great spot to add to your itinerary if you’re travelling with dogs and want to enjoy some nature and fresh mountain air!

Lot-et-Garonne

Bonaguil castle + walk

We visited Bonaguil Castle and combined it with a lovely 2.5 km trail through the forest that leads all the way to the castle grounds. The walk is really nice and makes visiting the castle feel like more of an adventure, especially when you arrive through the trees. There is a paid entrance if you want to explore the castle itself, but you can still see parts of the grounds without paying, so it’s worth visiting even if you don’t want to go inside. After heading back down, you’ll find a few little shops selling local goods, which are lovely to browse, as well as a really nice café where you can reward yourself with some delicious ice cream.

Pujols & Penne d’Agenais

We visited both Pujols and Penne d’Agenais, and they’re two beautiful historic towns that are really easy to combine. Both have plenty of old stone buildings, charming little streets, and lots of character to discover as you wander around. Pujols has a lovely hilltop feel with pretty views and a peaceful atmosphere, while Penne d’Agenais is equally charming, with its historic centre and beautiful buildings to explore. They’re also great places to stop for some local food, with little shops, cafés, and restaurants offering plenty of regional treats.

Chateau le Stelsia

We stopped by Château Le Stelsia and really enjoyed how relaxed the whole place felt. The park around the château is lovely to wander around with the dogs, with plenty of space to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the surroundings. The bright, colourful château building is also really cool to see and definitely makes the place stand out from other castles in the area. It’s a great spot to slow down for a while, and would be perfect for a little picnic if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to sit and enjoy the day.