France
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
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!
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.
Our dog-friendly stay in the Provence
AirBnB in Forcalquier with swimming pool, spacious garden and two bedrooms
For the full review, please click here
