It is the image of Epinal. Minivan, two children in the back, barely closed trunk. And the Golden Retriever’s head is sticking out of the window. One in three owners in France prefers to go on holiday with their pet rather than keep or board it. Despite the stress, unnecessary expenses, preparatory work. Because it must be said. Even with 15 million dogs, cats and ferrets living in French homes, according to Icad (Identification of Domestic Carnivores), taking them on holiday still seems like an obstacle.
To focus on solutions rather than pitfalls, Mélanie created the website Chien Voyageur, where she compiles her tips learned on the job alongside her dog, Maïdo, a border collie who accompanies her on her wanderings. This great traveler has also produced five guides, the last of which, dedicated to Savoy, is available in PDF format (€14.90). Because let’s remember that every year tens of thousands of animals are abandoned on the holiday route. An animal that leaves with its owner is one less animal in the SPA. By car!
FIGARO TRAVELS. – What is the ideal foreign country to visit with your dog?
Melanie: – Without hesitation, I would say Italy! It is a particularly dog-friendly country. There are many accommodations and restaurants that accept dogs. Some supermarkets too. this is for example the case of Conad or Unes networks. At Unes, small and medium breeds even have access to specially equipped carts. The beaches are also suitable for dogs. this is Baubich in Rome, Doglow in San Vincenzo or even Baubich near Venice. Finally, in the big cities, Rome, Florence, Naples or Milan, there are preserved gardens almost everywhere. And if dogs are not allowed in historical monuments, there are excellent dog pensions in Italy.
What is the most enjoyable accommodation you have experienced with Maïdo?
We’ve had many great boarding experiences with Maïdo, but our favorite accommodations are the ones that give our dogs special attention. I’m thinking particularly of Camping 2 la Plage in Tréfort, Isère, which welcomed us with welcome kit for Maido (blanket, bowls, etc.). Vendée Port de Moric campsite is 100% dog-friendly and welcomes family members with all the equipment and attention they deserve; Some hotels also stand out. Hotel La Désirade in Bangor, Belle-île-en-Mer, has provided a dog welcome kit with a blanket, bowls and even towels for returning from a walk. Unfortunately, such acceptance is rare.
Do you have a recommended beach to take your dog to?
You should know that while many are banned, others are available to them, but only at certain times of the year. We still had the chance to explore some very nice beaches with Maïdo. In Var, Ramatuel, dogs are welcome on all beaches, provided they are on a leash. There’s even a dog shower at Escalette Beach that lets you wash your dog after a swim. There are also many beautiful beaches in Corsica that accept them, such as Santa Giulia. On the ocean side, Quiberon Bay has some wonderful beaches where dogs are welcome all year round; Manet Gwen in Plouharnel, Le Lizon in Saint-Pierre Quiberon or la Jumain Congel.
What is the most dog-friendly ski resort?
A dog-friendly ski resort to me is one that includes them in its activities. You can easily find dog-friendly accommodation, dog-friendly snowshoe trails, ski lifts are allowed, and you can ski with your dog in some of the area. I love Haute-Savoie and in particular the Massif des Brasses. The Môle et Brasses Tourisme destination has also received the Toutourisme label, which guarantees a quality welcome to visitors accompanied by a dog.
What’s the cutest dog-human hike?
On the coastal paths, in the mountains, on the plains, we have often been amazed. My loved ones? The GR 34 is also called the Customs Trail, which starts at Mont-Saint-Michel and ends at Saint-Nezaire. The criss-crossed landscapes are of incredible beauty, where all the richness of the Breton coast is to be found. On the mountain side, I recently fell in love with the Beledon massif in the Northern Alps and its high altitude lakes. It is neither a National Park, a Regional Park nor a nature reserve, so it is completely accessible to dogs. Maido is a great hiking companion. his unwavering motivation is a valuable ally when fatigue sets in. When we reach the top, we enjoy our victory together in front of the breathtaking landscapes.
The most beautiful meeting during the trip thanks to Maïdo.
We postponed organizing our summer vacation for a year. We also wanted to go to southern Brittany, which is a very touristy place that requires you to book your accommodation in advance, especially when you want to go with your dog. When we looked for accommodation, there was nothing left. We were ready to give up on changing our plans when I had the idea to remove the “pets accepted” filter on the online booking platform. I contacted several owners of accommodations that were listed as not dog-friendly to assure them that we were respectful and that Maido was well-trained. An adorable couple trusted us and accepted our reservation request. We were welcomed with a bottle of cider and two glasses of Maido in a lovely apartment on the beach. Unexpected! We had a great holiday week and left the apartment wonderfully clean and tidy. Hoping we made them want to adopt other dogs in the future.
Even when it says “pets allowed,” there are sometimes conditions that aren’t mentioned.
An unexpected little problem you encountered while traveling with Maïdo.
Even when it says “pets allowed,” there are sometimes conditions that aren’t mentioned. For example, we found ourselves in a rental that only accepted small breeds. We found out when we got there. The owner got a little angry when he noticed the size of my border collie (25 kg). She finally accepted our dog, but put some restrictions on us that we weren’t ready for; be sure of admission conditions upstream.
Are there any places to avoid when traveling with your dog?
From experience, I think it’s important to choose your accommodation based on what you can do with your dog nearby. Ideal for walks from the hotel, not far accessible beaches, nearby activities to share. This will save you from traveling miles. It’s also important to choose activities that will make both people and dogs happy; Maïdo is a very sensitive dog that does not like crowds. He prefers large spaces, so we take that into account when developing our plan.
What are the important points to take when traveling with a companion?
When traveling with Maïdo, I always plan two bags, one for the car, which I always have nearby, and in which I put her harness, seat belts, her health information, European passport, bowl and water, brush and first aid kit. . In the second, I put chew treats, his toys, a life jacket, a fluorescent vest in case we’re on the hunt. I also take a little more than enough if we extend the vacation, his food bowl, his mattress. It is important to bring familiar objects so that the dog has some bearings in the new place, it calms him down.
Source: Le Figaro
