Dog friendly holidays in France – Pas-de-Calais

As the owner of four dogs, yes four (no, I don’t know what I was thinking but they needed a home!), dog-friendly locations are important for me. And I’m not alone. Taking your beloved pooch on holiday with you has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Luckily, I live in Pas-de-Calais which is one of the best places for dog-friendly holidays in France, and at just a hop, skip and jump across the English Channel, it’s a land of wide-open countryside, dog-friendly inns, and beaches that are perfect for dog walking and paddling.

Travelling to France with a dog

Taking your dog to France is relatively easy, though for Britons, post-Brexit, less so than it used to be. The rules are the same for the rest of the EU – microchip, rabies vaccination, pet passport etc (You can read more about the requirements here). LINK

Where to go in Pas-de-Calais with your dog

In France, dog-friendly towns are awarded a “toutourisme” certificate, toutou being a cute term for ‘doggy’. It indicates that pet owners are welcomed, and the local tourist offices can provide specialist advice on accommodation, outings and rules.

In Pas-de-Calais, four of the most popular towns are toutourisme certified: the historic hilltop town of Montreuil-sur-Mer; Berck-sur-Mer (which also has a Famille Plus label) and Le Touquet Paris-Plage, famous for its art deco architecture and nicknamed the Monaco of the north for its chic charm. The fabulous town of Saint-Omer is now also ‘toutou’ certified and welcomes dogs and their humans to enjoy its many charms including the UNESCO-listed Marais Audomarois biosphere reserve, a vast area of wetlands where market gardens have thrived since the middle ages, and wildlife is protected – it’s a great place for a boat ride.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a dog who didn’t like to visit the seaside! Now, we all have to share the beaches, so most supervised beaches are off-limits, but dogs are allowed on unsupervised areas though there are restrictions at certain times of the year (in the summer months usually) or during the day. A sign will often indicate whether pets are allowed or not. You can also ask at the local tourist offices. You will need to keep your dog on a lead and bring a bag to clear up after your furry friend. And there’s a list of beaches at the bottom of this article to help you choose the ideal beach for you and your dog.

There are several excellent marked trails along the coast where dogs are welcomed, including an easy 2.3km at Cap Gris Nez overlooking the White Cliffs of Dover with sensational views. My dogs’ favourite is the hike through the Slack Dunes in the Regional Natural Park of the Caps and Marais d’Opale which takes us through pine forests, along a beach and has breath-taking views over the English Channel. There’s lots of wildlife in the area so a lead is essential. For this particular hike there’s free parking on site just south of Ambleteuse (on the D940).

Dog-friendly walks and things to do

Pas-de-Calais has some of the most beautiful countryside in France, rolling valleys, traffic free roads, forests and lakes – it’s a dog’s dream come true – and a human’s too! If you love to be close to nature, walks or hikes on marked trails where dogs are welcomed (note some areas have protected flora and fauna so check for restrictions), through stunning landscapes of forests and streams then you and your furry family are going to love this area. Throw in being able to stop off at farms to buy fresh cheese, cider, fruit and veg; shop at fabulous street markets, visit marvellous monuments, historic cities, impossibly pretty villages, bob about on a boat, go cycling, enjoy the most wonderful traditional gastronomy, and even ride on steam trains and you’ll realise just how special this part of France is – for everyone.

Dog-friendly accommodation and restaurants

Plenty of places welcome dogs from fabulous hotels to gites, B&Bs and campsites (note some places may have a size restriction). Many restaurants and cafés also welcome dogs, especially if you’re sitting outside but if you’re not sure, just ask before you sit down. Website emmentonchien.com has a helpful list of dog-friendly restaurants and accommodation in Pas-de-Calais). Naturally you’re expected to keep your dog on a lead and to make sure he/she behaves. I have to be honest, that’s not easy when you’ve got 4 dogs, so we generally try to sit in a corner, and after a long walk, they’re usually quite happy to flop down and be given a bowl of water.

Details for dog-friendly beaches in Pas-de-Calais

You’ll spot signs with the rules about where you can walk your dog on beaches – and there are miles and miles of gorgeous beaches – but it’s best to assume that all require a lead, but here is a handy list:

Audinghen: dogs allowed on the beach.

Ambleteuse: Dogs allowed on beach except from 1/07 to 31/08. Part of the seawall is accessible to dogs on a lead (marked strip at the top of the seawall).

Berck-sur-Mer: Dogs allowed on beach except during the summer season where access to the beach is authorised outside the supervised area marked with blue flags (failure to comply may result in a fine). Be aware that there is a large and spectacular colony of seals here, I never take my dogs to that part of the beach because they bark and scare the seals.
Boulogne-sur-Mer: Dogs allowed on beach except from 1/5 to 30/9.

Camiers: With the exception of animals assisting people with disabilities, all animals, even on a lead, are banned from the beach in the supervised bathing area.

Calais: Dogs, even if on a lead, are strictly forbidden on the beach from 15/5 to 15/10. They are allowed on the seawall outside the summer period from 16/10 to 14/5

Cucq: Outside bathing areas only.

Dannes: Outside supervised areas only.

Equihen-Plage: Pets are allowed to the right of the lifeguard station (outside the bathing and surveillance areas) but are prohibited from 1/6 to 30/9 on the main beach and by the boat ramp.

Escalles: Dogs allowed on the beach year-round (except from 15/5-15/9)

Hardelot: Outside supervised swimming areas only.

Le Portel: Dogs can go beyond the barriers and the hoverport but not on the main beach and the lower breakwater from 1/5 to 30/9.

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage: The beach has pet-friendly areas near the nautical base. From
15/3 to 15/9, the central part of the seafront is not accessible to dogs, including the beach bars)

Marck: The beach is accessible to dogs.

Merlimont: Dogs may go on the beach outside supervised areas.

Sangatte Blériot-Plage: Dogs may go on the Descenderie beach, outside supervised swimming areas.

Stella-Plage: Dogs may go outside bathing areas only.

Tardinghen: Dogs are allowed on the beach except from 1/5-30/0 between 10am and 7pm.

Wimereux: Dogs are allowed year-round on the North beach only (not on the promenade or main beach).

Wissant: Dogs are allowed on the south and north side of the beach year-round, but not on the sand in the bathing area from 1/07 to 31/08, from 10am to 8pm.
I always find the best times to take my dogs are spring, autumn and winter as they get more freedom to enjoy the gorgeous scenery, the water, the sand dunes without too many people, and then join us as we sip a hot drink or a glass of something refreshing at a local café afterwards, while they enjoy a drop of water and a treat!

Find more details about what to see and do in Pas-de-Calais year-round, with or without your furry family, at: visitpasdecalais.com

Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com