Traveling with your dog can be both an exciting and challenging experience. One of the challenges many dog parents face when abroad is finding dog-friendly establishments and parks to make sure their canine friends don’t spend the whole trip cooped up. To add to this, not speaking the language can make it even harder to find out if your dog is welcome in a certain place or not.
To help you prepare in advance for your trip to France with your pooch, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best parks with off-leash areas where your dog can safely let off some steam.
Before we get started, please note that the law in France restricts certain breeds from entering the country. Some dogs are permitted but must be muzzled. Please check agriculture.gouv.fr website1 (official page in French) and petraveller.com2 (English) for more information.
In the 6th arrondissement of Paris, which was home to many famous writers and artists and is an area known for its vibrancy, diversity, and quant vibes.
A nice spot for socializing with other dog owners (and practicing your French, of course!).
2. Dog Park at Jardin Compans Caffarelli, Toulouse
1st November to 28th February: 8.00–18.00, 1st March to 31st May: 8.00—20.00, 1st June to 31st August: 8.00–21.00
Cost:
Free
Off-Leash:
Yes
Off-leash permitted in a fenced-off area.
The Toulouse tourist website does not list opening hours for September for this park, so it may close in September—you can call the park to check this.
Poop bags can be found in dispensers.
The Japanese garden within the park is off-limits to dogs.
A beautiful wooded area with large areas for dogs to run freely.
Located in the 12th arrondissement, which is home to the market street, Rue d’Aligre as well as various museums, the Place de la Bastille opera house, and Lafayette’s tomb.
15th April to 14th October: 6.30–22.30, 15th October to 14th April: 6:30–20.30
Cost:
Free
Off-Leash:
Yes
Dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas.
Here, you will find two special areas for dogs—one for puppies and small dogs and one for large dogs.
There are plenty of activities to get involved in at this park, including taking a tourist train around the park or a boat ride on the lake, quad pedaling, mini-karting, and mini-boating.
Poop bags and drinking water are available for dogs.
This park has received many excellent reviews, with particular praise for its cleanliness, thoughtful provision of poop bags at the entrance, shady spots, and benches.
Conclusion
So, if you’re planning to visit France anytime soon, we hope you’ve found this guide useful. One thing we’d recommend is making sure to bring your own poop bags because though many dog-friendly parks generously provide dispensers, there’s no guarantee these won’t run out! Also, remember to double-check and always respect the park’s rules on where dogs can be off-leash to make sure you don’t run into trouble. Bon voyage!
Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented many furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with pets, Kit can be found drawing in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.
