Pet Friendly Paris: Things to do in Paris with your Dog

Above Photos: Celine Chan Photographie

It’s easy to bring your dog to Paris from the United States

Thinking of bringing your dog to France? Wondering how to get your dog from the United States to Paris? International pet travel from the United States to the EU is straight forward. Start by checking out our international pet travel checklist for all the rules around bringing your dog on a plane internationally. We found France to be very dog friendly, and the only requirements for border entry are a USDA stamped health certificate, microchip, and rabies vaccine. Having spent 2 months a year in France while growing up, we are no strangers to Paris – we have put together a guide with the top destinations that are dog friendly. Luckily, Paris is very dog friendly so the outdoor monuments are pet friendly!

Where can you bring your dog in Paris?

Yes! Dogs Allowed & Welcome at these places in Paris…

  • At cafes with outdoor seating are very dog friendly!
  • In the metro (dogs are supposed to be in a bag or muzzled – we used the gentle leader but saw many dogs in the Metro and none were muzzled)
  • “G7” Taxi service has a dog friendly option
  • In the outside portions of tourist attractions
  • At stores that do not sell food

Sorry, No Dogs allowed here….

  • At any Museums
  • At many small fenced in parks (I.e almost all the parks not listed in this post)
  • In normal taxis (took us a long time to get a taxi from the airport as even working dogs aren’t often accepted)
  • Inside food stores (same as the United States)

You’ll find that most cafes have outdoor seating and most tourist attractions have outdoor areas. Since museums and all indoor locations in Paris aren’t pet friendly, make sure to bring your walking shoes to see the city by foot or leave the dog in your hotel.

Most of Paris’s smaller parks do not allow dogs but surprisingly the Metro IS dog friendly as long as the dog fits into a bag OR wears a muzzle. We rode the Metro twice and had Calvin on a very thick gentle leader. When we returned with Samson, we visited in February so we rode the Metro multiple times a day to avoid the cold. We saw many dogs on the train and didn’t have any issue. Our biggest mistake was trying to find a taxi that would take us into the city from the airport – the concept of a Working Dog is not well known in France and does not hold up with small businesses. When we finally found a taxi, Calvin was required to stay in the trunk. On our second trip to Paris, we were able to order a taxi that allowed dogs through “G7” by indicating that we wanted a taxi that could accommodate dogs. We wish we had known about this on our first visit, because we had no issue getting into the taxi with Samson.

What are the dog leash laws in Paris?

The level of obedience we witnessed in Parisian dogs is unlike anything we have ever seen in the United States. It is unclear what the leash laws are in Paris as we rarely saw any dogs on leash – dogs trot calmly beside their humans, wait patiently outside of stores, and seem very seamlessly intertwined in the daily life of the city. Many businesses have a resident dog just hanging out outside the shop greeting people who walk by. Pups sit around at cafes while their humans read the morning news. No treats or commands needed – these dogs know where to be and are never far behind their human. It was such a magical dynamic to observe and definitely ought to set an example for dog obedience in the United States.

Best time to visit Paris with your Dog

We have now visited Paris with both of our dogs at different times of year. We have visited in May and February. In May, the crowds are beginning but haven’t gotten to the peak levels that the city sees during summer vacation. May wasn’t quite as hot as visiting in July/August so we found the weather quite pleasant. Our more recent visit was mid February. Paris winter is cold, but nothing compared to the cold in New England USA. The cold was not painful, and there was little wind. We dressed in boots, down jackets, hats, and gloves and were able to have a very pleasant visit. Because of the strong smoking culture in Paris, most restaurants and cafes have outdoor seating even in the winter. The cafes have heat lamps and we had no trouble staying warm

while sitting for meals and coffees. We didn’t find the tourists to be any more manageable in February so it seems as if Paris is just tourist filled year round (not surprising).

Where to stay in Paris with your Dog

There are ample pet friendly hotels and airbnbs in Paris so check out neighborhoods based on the activities you are interested in. We stayed in the Marais but here our thoughts on other neighborhoods:

If you are a first time visitor, check out the neighborhoods near the biggest tourist destinations (1st & 7th arrondissement). In the 1st, you’ll be walking distance from Notre Dame, the Tuileries, the Louvre which are pet friendly on the outside. In the 7th, you’ll be near the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower.

If you are looking for a trendy neighborhood with great nightlife, check out the Marais or St. Germain neighborhoods. Nightlife is always bustling and the Seine is animated through the night.

If you are looking for a charming and romantic neighborhood with great views, Montmarte is a great choice. Although Montmarte is home to Scare Coeur and views of Paris, it is further away from the rest of the famous sights.

Map of Dog Friendly spots in Paris, France

4 days & 50 miles through Paris with our Dog

After a 12 hour flight with our dog, we were ready to hit the ground running (See here for international travel rules for dogs). We figured that if let ourselves nap, the jet lag would take over and we’d lose a day of seeing the city. Lucky for us, Paris has cafés on nearly every block. Fueled by espressos and baguettes, we managed to see most of Paris’s biggest sights by foot on our first day. This page is organized by groupings of activities that are in close proximity to each other. Refer to the dog friendly map above for a better look at the relative locations of Parisian sights. Over 4 days, we covered over 50 miles by foot and returned to our favorite places multiple times. We have since returned to Paris again with our younger dog and revisited all of our favorite stops.

dog in paris holding baguette bread in his mouth

Bringing Dogs to Notre Dame, Jardin du Luxembourg & The Panthéon

Cross the Pont Neuf to Île de la Cité to see Notre Dame. Then take a short walk to the pet friendly Jardin de Luxembourg – stop at the Panthéon on the way.

the Cathedral of Notre Dame is located on Île de la Cité (basically a small island in the middle of Paris). We crossed the famous Pont Neuf to get to Île de la Cité and made our way to Notre Dame (10 minute walk). At the time of our visit, Notre Dame was still recovering from the fire and therefore could only be enjoyed from afar. Standing in front of such a fine piece of architecture is humbling, especially when reminded that it was built in the Middle Ages…..over 600 years ago!

After Notre Dame, the next logical stop is the 15 minute walk to the Jardins du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens). We took the route that passed in front of the Panthéon to get a glimpse of Roman architecture in France. The facade of the Panthéon in Paris is modeled after the one you would find in Rome. The Luxembourg Gardens are a straight shot from the Panthéon down Rue de Soufflot.

The dog rules at the Luxembourg Gardens are unclear – there are certain entrances that have “no dog” signs but others have “dogs on leash” signs. After doing research online, we found that the Luxembourg Gardens have an entire section of the park called the “dog path” that even has a dog fountain….we figured that dogs must be allowed. By asking the security guards upon arrival, we learned that dogs ARE allowed but it is preferred that they enter through the Blvd. Saint Michel gates. Turns out this park has more dogs than any other park we visited – we met lots of friendly pups at all parts of the gardens.

dog at luxembourg gardens in paris

palace at the dog friendly luxembourg gardens

Dog Friendly Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro & Champ de Mars

We stopped by the Eiffel Tower a few times during out time in Paris and met lots of great dogs wandering around the area with their humans. We visited briefly on our first day in the late afternoon and then returned a few days later at 7:30AM. This area is probably one of the most crowded tourist attractions in the entire world so the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro is in the early morning. We did our family photoshoot at 7:30AM and found the area to be more peaceful than our visit earlier that week.

Geographically, the Champ de Mars (Field of Mars) is the large grassy area directly adjacent/underneath the Eiffel tower. The Trocadéro is the area across the bridge that overlooks the Eiffel Tower from above. Most iconic Eiffel Tower photos are taken from the Trocadéro staircase and fountains.

One great way to enjoy the Eiffel Tower with your dog is to take some photos at the Trocadéro and then wander through the fountains to make your way to Champ de Mars across the Seine. Set up a picnic blanket on the grass and enjoy some cheese & wine. Calvin played some fetch off-leash while we enjoyed our snacks.

dog at trocadero with eiffel tower in paris

view of eiffel tower from trocadero in paris

dog in trocadero gardens in paris

dog in the champ de mars under the eiffel tower

Dogs at Jardins des Tuileries, the Louvre Pyramid, and the Palais Royale

The Jardins des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens) is the park located between Place de La Concorde and the Louvre. We approached the gardens from Place de La Concorde and made our way to the Louvre via the Gardens. 

Walk across Place de La Concorde to get to the entrance of the Tuileries Garden. Place de La Concorde is the largest public square in Paris. Note: traffic in the roundabout does not yield to pedestrians….so follow a crowd of tourists to get across safely.

Dog rules at the Tuileries Gardens: As with many other places in Paris, the pet walking rules are unclear. After some research, we found that dogs are officially allowed in the upper section of the Tuileries Gardens. This means that they may not enter through the main entrance but rather any of the side entrances that have steps leading  up to the upper sections. These parts of the Tuileries Gardens are known as the “terraces” and overlook the gardens from above. Once you get to Avenue du Général Lemonnier (on the Louvre side of the Gardens), dogs are allowed anywhere. This means you can absolutely walk your dog through the Carrousel Arch, along the grass, and around the fountains. Dogs aren’t allowed in the museum but can get up cloase to the Louvre Pyramid and walk around the Napoleon Courtyard.

dog holding french flag at the louvre pyramid in paris

bringing a dog to the paris louvre pyramid

bringing your dog to the louvre pyramid in paris

Near the Louvre you will find the Palais Royale with its adjacent gardens. Take a moment to admire the remarkable architecture in the Palais Royale courtyard.

Outdoor seating with your dog at Rue Montorguiel for Dinner

Rue Montorguiel is known as the “food street” of Paris. It is a pedestrian only stretch of casual restaurants and bars about an 18 minute walk from the Louvre. This street boasts casual but high quality food at affordable prices. In the evening, the area is animated with locals and tourists alike. Most restaurants have outdoor “bistrot” style seating with the tables facing outwards for people watching. We ate at a casual crêpe shop one night (nothing to write home about), and the fabulous Le Compas another night.

Bringing your dog to Sacré-Cœur Basilica and Montmarte

Sacré-Cœur and the surrounding neighborhood (Montmarte) is located away from the center of Paris, but worth a visit for the great views and stunning architecture. The Montmarte neighborhood is essentially a massive hill with Sacré-Cœur at the very top –  The “Anvers” or “Abbesses” Metro stops will get you most of the way to the Basilica but you’ll have to walk up the rest of the way. Bring plenty of water as the walk will break a sweat, especially in the summer. At the top of the hill, you’ll have a birds eye view over all of Paris on one side and a breathtaking Basilica on the other. After exploring Montmarte, we made the long walk back towards the center of Paris.

dog at Sacre Coeur basilica in paris montmarte

dog at montmarte in paris

bringing your dog to the love locks in paris

Park Monceau is Dog Friendly!

Our goal was to eventually reach the Arc de Triomphe, but we took the long route through Paris to explore new parts of the city. First, we made our way towards Park Monceau (Metro Stop: “Monceau”). We picked up some bread and cheese for a picnic and let Calvin play with the children in the grass while we ate. He had a blast fetching sticks for the French kids who had just gotten out of school for the day. Park Monceau is located in a very fancy neighborhood – exit through Avenue Van Dyck for a direct 15 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe. We stopped for an espresso along the way and eventually got to Place Charles de Gaulle, home to the Arc de Triomphe.

dog sitting at french cafe and bistro

ice cream cone in paris

dog at the front of a shop in paris

Arc de Triomphe & Les Champs-Élysées

The Arc de Triomphe stands at 164 feet tall in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, one of the busiest roundabouts in Paris. It connects 12 different avenues – the most common avenue to follow from Place Charles de Gaulle is the famousChamps-Élysées

If you opt to go down the Champs-Élysées, you’ll end up back at Place de La Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens. We recommend walking down the Champs-Élysées if you are first time visitor to Paris. This is a great way to get to the Louvre Pyramid via a different route than described earlier.

Les Champs-Élysées is the 2 kilometer corridor from Place Charles de Gaulle to Place de La Concorde. Les Champs-Élysées is probably the most famous avenue in the world, and is lined with cafés and shopping.  Everything from H&M to the flagship Louis Vuitton store can be found on the ~60 minute walk down Les Champs-Élysées.

dog at the place charles de gualle in front of the arc de triomphe

Bois de Bologne is Off Leash Doggie Heaven

If you don’t care about experiencing the Champs-Élysées (or have already experienced it),  Avenue Foch leads to the pet friendly and off-leash Bois “Forest” de Bologne. This park doesn’t have any cultural significance so we only recommend this if you have already been to Paris and seen all the sights. Bois de Bologne is a favorite among locals for off leash dog fun – it has multiple wooded and river front trails. We meandered around the park before making our way back to the Eiffel Tower again for sunset.

dog walking by the side of the river in paris

parc de buttes chaumont in paris

dog in paris wearing a floral bandana

Basin de La Villette & Parc de La Villette

Basin de La Villette is a quiet, off the beaten path destination and is wonderful for a stroll with your dog. The area seemed frequented by locals and a few curious tourists. We actually started off this adventure at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont for a stroll along a local park and then made our way to Basin de La Villette. Basin de La Villette is a rectangular artificial “lake” that meanders like a river through the 19th arrondisement. We sat along the water at Le Pavillon Des Canaux….a cute cafe with a French bulldog mascot.

Basin de La Villette leads to the park which is home to the largest Science Museum in Europe (Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie), large concert venues and the Paris conservatory. We walked through the park to check out the 10 themed gardens

dog sitting at basin de la villette

espresso latte in paris

Some (Not) Pet Friendly Activities

If you are looking to leave Fido in the hotel (only if he is comfortable enough to do this!) there are plenty of museums to check out in Paris. We did not museum hop this time around as we’ve already been to Paris enough times to never want to step into a museum again. Needless to say, the historical significance of Parisian galleries is unprecedented so here are our favorites.

Museums to visit in Paris without your pet:

  • The Louvre (the World’s largest and most visited museum)
  • Musée d’Orsay (for some Monet, Renoir, and Van Gough)
  • The Centre Pompidou (equivalent of NYC’s MoMa)

Other no pets activities:

  • Riding to the top of the Eiffel Tower
  • View of Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe
  • Dinner or Lunch on a boat that is cruising down the Seine
  • Versailles (1 hour train ride from Paris)

Paris is always a good idea,
-Your Pal Cal

 

 

International Dog Travel Rules & Regulations

How to travel to Europe with your Dog: International Pet Transport

Are you looking to bring your dog to Europe? There is a lot of paperwork and regulations for international dog travel but it’s worth it. We travel from San Francisco to Paris frequently so we’ve put together some resources to get you started on international dog travel. This post is just a starting point – laws vary by country and so it is pertinent to research the country you plan to enter with your dog.  The USDA APHIS website will be your source of truth so make sure to meet all those requirements for customs and border control.

Can You Travel Internationally with a Dog? What are the International & Customs Laws for Dogs?

  • Service Dog and ESA laws are NOT covered in the same way as they are in the USA so you will need to research the laws before travel – you will not be covered by the same laws and working dogs are not as common in countries outside of the United States. Even if the laws do cover working dogs in international countries, you unfortunately can’t expect that access will always be granted.
  • Some countries only recognize “ADI Accredited” Service Dogs for entry into the country via in-cabin plane travel. This means that “Owner Trained” Service Dogs are not able to enter via plane (UK is one example but there are more). Sometimes there are ways around this by flying into a different EU country and then driving into the UK by car through the tunnel.
  • Hawaii/Caribbean Islands: Although these are not Europe, they have unique requirements for entering with service dogs to avoid quarantine.
  • Dog food is often restricted at customs. Have a pet store ready at your destination or pre-order. Your favorite brands may not be available overseas so look for a food with similar grain profile and protein levels.

Bringing a Service Dog to Europe? Can all dogs travel in Cabin?

Every airline has different regulations regarding whether they allow SDs and ESAs in cabin. Low budget carrier tend to be the most restrictive especially within Europe. Delta, United, Air France, and Lufthansa are great airlines to check out if traveling with your dog. Most budget airlines appear to allow service dogs but we have only ever used Air France/Delta based on flight availability from California. Samson is a working Service Dog so he always is able to fly in cabin. Being a service dog does not exempt the dogs from all the required import paperwork.
  • Some airlines have rules that limit the aircraft to 1 total animal (regardless of status) on board – First to check in gets to board with their animal and the next person is out of luck.
  • Some airlines do not recognize assistance dogs at all
  • Some airlines require ALL dogs over 10kg to fly in the cargo hold
  • Generally, pets under 10kg can travel with their handler with appropriate documentation.
  • Smaller airlines for stop over travel (I.e small airlines that fly between EU countries) are least likely to be accommodating and allow the pet on board
  • Some countries and airlines ONLY recognize internationally accredited program trained service dogs (ADI) and guide dogs to fly in cabin.

Bringing a Dog to France from the United States: Traveling to Paris with our Dog

We have traveled to France a few times on flights booked by Delta (operated by Air France). The flights were each around 12 hours long and we didn’t have any issues while on board. For Air France flights, We recommend purchasing tickets that allow you to choose seats before check in as you’ll find Air France customer service to not be as accommodating with seat selections as US airlines. Each time we travel to Paris, we are told over the phone that there are seats reserved for passengers with disabilities but once we get to the airport we are told the opposite. We will be sure to pay a premium to choose our seats next time.

We brought our international paperwork, training documentation (we always keep CGC, CGCU, and CGCA titles with us when we travel), and doctor’s notes which were all checked in San Francisco at check in. Even if you are traveling with a Service Dog, doctor documentation is important to have once you leave the United States.

Once we get off the long flight, there’s no pet relief station so I set up a potty pad for in the human bathroom and the dog decides if they want to use it. I use the command “go potty” and I find that the dog will only relieve themselves if it’s an emergency.

At Paris customs, border police checks the paperwork but hasn’t ever asked any questions. They are most interested in the EU France Health Certificate – they check for the required signatures and stamps and then we are on our way. We always have the same experience on the way back into the United States.

Overall we’ve had no issues – Our biggest tip is to be over prepared for international travel to minimize stress.

What do I Need to Take my Dog to Europe? Pet Travel Regulations for France (country requirements vary)

  • 16 character microchip Implanted BEFORE original rabies vaccine.
    • The microchip is read at customs so make sure you know where it is located – you can generally feel the rice shaped chip around the shoulder blades.The microchip reader can only read microchips in the 16 character format
  • Rabies Vaccine for International Travel
    • 1 or 3 year rabies vaccine? France recognizes the 3 year rabies vaccine, some countries only recognize the 1 year vaccine.
    • If this is your dog’s FIRST rabies vaccine ever or if a previous vaccine has expired, you cannot travel into France until 21 days after the shot. Calvin was up to date with his rabies shot so this did not apply to us.
  • Country Specific Health Certificate (complete at your vet’s office)
    • Completed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian no more than 10 DAYS before travel (thats a mouthful)
    • Most countries in the EU have country specific health certificates. If the country does not have a specific health certificate, there is a general one that can be completed. We got both completed just in case.
    • IMPORTANT:
      • The health certificate MUST be completed by a Veterinarian that is accredited by the USDA (This is not common so make sure your vet has this title)
      • The health certificate must be completed less than 10 days before entry at the destination. We completed ours the day before travel.
  • Endorse the health certificate (complete at a USDA office)
    • The official EU/French health certificate is not valid until it has been stamped and embossed by the USDA Office
    • See here for locations near you
    • Make an appointment in advance as this has to be done within 10 days of your travel date and not all offices accept walk ins (think DMV style experience)
    • Double check that every page of your health certificate is properly filled out and signed in appropriate places
  • Recommended: Carry a rabies certificate, full vaccine history, spay/neuter certificate, extra copy of health certificate, doctor’s note (even if your dog is an SD), proof of training (CGC, PAT, board and train, ect), written confirmation from the airline that your animal is allowed to travel in cabin, printed airline policies.
  • Submit any required paperwork to the airline at least 48 hours before travel.
  • Bon Voyage! 

Additional Requirements for International Pet Travel

Check the pet import requirements for the country you will be traveling to here. Some countries require quarantine, additional testing, deworming, ect.
  • The UK & Iceland have additional rules and make it difficult to enter with an animal
  • We found that most EU countries have less stringent requirements for pet travel compared to the UK. 

How to Prepare Your Dog for the Airplane

Master domestic flights with your dog
  • Calvin had been on about 75 domestic flights before we attempted a >10 hour flight (in total we were traveling for almost 18 hours). Samson had been on multiple flights as well and had no issues. If your dog is able to settle down and relax, they won’t mind the longer international flight.
Limit food & water when traveling with your dog
  • For a flight over 10 hours, limit food at least 12 hours before travel. Limit water for 6 hours before travel and then allow your dog to have ice cubes/sips of water throughout the flight.
Stay organized
  • Get a binder for all your paperwork. Make sure all your appointments (Vet + USDA appointments) are booked in advance
  • Call airlines before hand and get confirmation that they know you are traveling with an animal
Overnight flight if possible
  • If the flight is overnight, your dog will be used to sleeping and will hopefully settle quickly and sleep through the night. Additionally, the airplane will be dark so they’ll have a better idea that it is time to sleep.
Our packing essentials when traveling with our dog
  • Portable bowl
  • Food & Treats for the flight (will have to be thrown out before customs)
  • Familiar mat to sleep on
  • Blanket

What paperwork do I need to travel with my dog? Resources & Paperwork for Bringing Your Dog Internationally

Dog Travel Checklist

[]Spay & Neuter certificate
[]History of all vaccines
[]History of rabies vaccine
[]Rabies tag & SF dog tag
[]EU Health Certificate for USDA Vet
[]Completed Health Certificate for APHIS pet import office
[]Doctor’s note (including trained tasks if applicable)
[]Training documentation
[]Call airline and get confirmation that pet is flying in cabin
[]Call airline to confirm seats
[]Submit airline specific paperwork
[]Organize all paperwork in binder
[]Research whether treats will be allowed into the country. Find pet store at destination if not.
[]Microchip number & proof of microchip