France is known for being incredibly dog friendly, with the majority of trains, restaurants, and buses all allowing dogs.
Even inside France, rules and laws are quite pet friendly and so are the people. Almost fifty per cent of all households have a pet in France. Your pets can easily accompany you anywhere, from restaurants to trains to buses, provided you follow the rules laid down for per pet conduct in public places.
Parisians love spending time with their pets, and it is evident in how pet-friendly the city is. Dogs in Paris are allowed on all public transport including the metro, the subway, the commuter trains and buses. Service dogs can travel for free on all forms of transport, and large dogs need a ticket to travel.
French law requires that dogs are kept on a lead in public parks and gardens, and muzzles are required on public transport, at ferry ports, and in some other public places. Fines may apply for non-compliance, including for owners who fail to pick up after their dog.
The hundreds of miles of beaches provide plenty of opportunity for sandy paws and soggy coats – utter bliss! Much like the UK, though, not every beach is dog-friendly and those that are, are often seasonal. But with over 250 dog friendly beaches in France, you'll still be spoilt for choice.
Travel to France with your dog
Once you have the Animal Health Certificate in your hand, you can travel to France with your dog. You need to have departed on your trip no more than 10 days after the AHC was issued, otherwise you will need a new one.
Your pet must enter through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Paris, Reunion, Marseille, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival. All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.
Pet owners must also have insurance to protect against liability from dog attacks. The dog must be vaccinated and sterilised. They must be on a lead and muzzled at all times when out in public and on public transport.
Each passenger can bring up to 2 dogs or 2 pet carriers. Pet tickets are not available to purchase online so must be purchased over the telephone directly with the rail operator, or at an SNCF station or SNCF Boutique in France.
There is an Article [French Law] covering barking dogs. You make a formal complaint to the Mayor and he/she is obliged to notify the owner, to control the dog(s) within ten days. If they fail to control the dog(s) they are taken to a dog pound.
Animals are not allowed on the Eiffel Tower apart from animals accompanying disabled people. All other animals will be refused.
Dogs in Shopping Centers, Department Stores & Small Shops in Paris. Most boutiques will allow dogs for the same reason restaurants will. But shopping centers are quite different and most have strictly enforced “No Dogs Allowed” policies. But of course, Parisians are notorious rule breakers.
Dogs and cats are welcome on Air France flights, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier is under 17 lbs (8 kg). Each passenger may travel with 1 animal in the cabin.
Germany. Germany is one of the dog-friendliest countries in the world. Virtually every business welcomes dogs and provides them with water and treats. Home to the largest animal sanctuary in Europe, you may want to bring one back home with you when visiting.
Pet dogs are allowed in most public places, including most tourist attractions. If you are travelling to Italy on holiday or moving to Italy, you and your pooch will love the pet-friendly beaches, vacation villas in beautiful Tuscany, and the many dog-friendly tourist sites in the country.
Germany, France, and Italy are three of the most dog-friendly countries in Europe, with a great selection of accommodation and the option of bringing your dog with you in most restaurants, stores, and public transportation.
Sorry, no animals on seats
We know, there's all sorts of exciting things going on outside the windows. But animals are not allowed on seats.
They can either travel in a pet-friendly cabin (where your pet can stay with you during the sailing), in onboard kennels or in your vehicle. On ships where there are no kennels or pet-friendly cabins your pet must remain in your vehicle.
Public Transportation
In Paris, leashed dogs and small pets are allowed on the Metro/RER and buses, but must ride in a carrier if small, and muzzled if large.
Your animal must be identified by an electronic transponder.
You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. The anti-rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel in compliance with the provisions of Annex III of Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
First, you'll need to get an AHC for your dog's first trip to France. Once there you can take your dog to a local vet and arrange for an EU pet passport to be issued. You can then use this to take your pooch to France for future trips.
Brining potentially dangerous dogs to France
Category 1 includes American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, and Tosa-type dogs. You can bring category 2 dogs to France if they have an official registered pedigree that is recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture.
All service animals are allowed inside the Louvre Museum. Pets, however, are not allowed into the attraction. You cannot walk your pets in the gardens as well.
Air France Pet Travel Policy
Air France's website states that only cats and dogs are accepted in the cabin. The container is considered as cabin baggage. For pets in the cabin, the allowable weight is 6KG maximum for the combined weight of the pet and the container.
Dog Food Allowed in to the EU
You are no longer allowed to take meat or milk-based dog food including treats unless your Vet has given you written confirmation that your pet requires a certain dog food for medical reasons. With written permission, you may take packs that weigh 2kg.