Anyone taken a dog on holiday to France?

We have, a few times. Absolutely no problem in the places we went (usually lower half of France). She didn't like the kennels on the ferry though!

Yep, several times now.  Channel tunnel easy, but P&O and Irish ferris both have pet lounges now so you don;t have to leave your dog in the car or in kennels.

Same as here in terms of beaches, some you can't take dogs on but other you can. Usualy down one end is ok, really busy bits not ok.

Not had any problems eating out but as with here, I'm not taking my dog to the Ritz....

Always found France and Spain pretty dog friendly. My dog has been to Belgium and to a Theme park in Germany as well! Taking her out to France again on boxing day, hopefully she'll get to play in some snow.

I'm in Leeds, and use these https://www.animalhealthcertificatesuknorth.co.uk/ for health certificates as they are WAAAAAY cheaper than my normal vet. similar ones are availabe in other areas.

A friend was a ski instructor and always took her dog with her every season to France. She says France is much more accommodating of dogs than the UK. Cafes, bars, restaurants. Never been with ours though, we keep thinking of jumping on the ferry. Maybe next year.

Just back from a trip around the south of France in our campervan. Generally speaking cafes, restaurants and shops were very accommodating for dogs, even with a 8-month pup. A few historic sites would not allow them in, very reasonably in my view, but for most things it was very straightforward and I'd even suggest that most shopkeepers were surprised that we bothered to ask prior to entry.

Re the comment on ferries, not sure where you are in the UK, but we're based in the north of Scotland and use the DFDS route to Ijmuiden because of the dog-friendly cabins. For a small charge you get a cabin with lino, instead of carpet, and access to a deck. So much more pleasant for them than the onboard kennels, or long time in the van and requesting access to it to check on them which would be the other options given where we are.

Done it a couple of times now. Its obviously more faff since brexit but not too big an issue. The only tricky bit is finding a vet on the way back. Has to be 24 hours or so before travel. Its simple in the touristy areas but in the middle of nowhere its more effort. The tunnel is very easy, just go to a special dog check in then the dog stays with you in the car.

France is generally dog friendly. At least as much as the UK, and generally a bit more. Public spaces are fine. Lots of parks are dog friendly, loads of woodlands and countryside for walks. Beaches are mixed like the UK but lots are fine with dogs. Cafes/bars was a bit trickier. They don't shout about it with signs on the door. Its pretty mixed but almost always OK if you sit outside (which is more common there).

Overall it wasn't an issue at all, only slight thing was the heat and lack of shade. 

Took ours many times......however only in winter, summers would have been too warm for a dog from Finland. 

The tunnel is brilliant with a doggo, I'd not leave a dog in a vehicle on a ferry. A few times I've come back to the car deck and all the vehicle alarms have been blaring away with frightened looking dogs in cars.

Hook of Holland ferry with a dog friendly cabin is good although Bert was less than impressed with the pee&poo area onboard!

Europe is generally same/better than the UK for doggo's. Holland allows dogs in McDonald's and Prague is especially good for dogs and even has a doggy cinema!

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We did it this summer gone. It was much easier than expected. We got a pet friendly cabin on the crossing out. which was very straightforward and easy. Then did the tunnel on the way back. Which again very easy 

We had no problem with the dog in towns or cafes or forests. A lot of beaches say no dogs, but we were on the Atlantic coast so the beaches were big enough that a) there was noone for miles b) there are some dog friendly bits c) often dogs are allowed on the bit of the beach near the sand dune because that's often a footpath. Although granted we were there September so off season, but it was easier on the beaches than the internet led us to believe.

I'm sure I also heard that pet passports are going to be reintroduced , so much cheaper than the health certificate.

Usually easier with dogs in France, but the downside is the ticks, that may depend on the area. 

Been all over Europe with the dog, generally pretty well accepted especially in France. From personal experience I'd say it's been perhaps unusual to see bigger dogs in bars and restaurants - small dogs absolutely everywhere and often to be seen sat on a stool at a bar. But by and large no problem.

Italy however was weird, loads of time it was expected that our dog would sleep outside by the back door at night,  although bars and restaurants fine. Again, big dogs slightly more problematic but still easier than the UK generally 

Thanks all, this is all very encouraging. Looks like we'll be off to France next year then 🙂

Forgot say we used to book the vet online well in advance from home once travel dates were known. Wed take our own worming tablets and a piece of sausage to ensure they were taken in front of the vet.

Also the french vets had a penchant for slipping a thermometer up the dogs bum. Which always went down well.