Taking your dog into a café, bar or restaurant

There is no law that directly bans dogs from cafés, bars, or restaurants. However, it remains at the discretion of the management of individual venues to decide whether they allow dogs to enter.

Most are likely to say yes – they want your custom, after all – but they are within their rights to refuse and it’s polite to ask.

In practice it’s very common for people to take dogs to a bar or café, especially if you’re sitting outside on the terrace – if you’re on a crowded terrace make sure you watch where you are stepping, you don’t want to accidentally tread on anyone’s tail.

The nicer servers will routinely bring a bowl of water for your furry friend along with your order, but remember that it’s up to you to keep your pet under control.

Bars, cafés or restaurants are legally required to allow guide dogs or assistance dogs accompanying anyone with a valid disability card. For hygiene reasons, even guide dogs are not allowed in food preparation areas, and must be kept under control.

Guide dogs are less common in France than they are in the UK, so you may need to specifically explain that your dog is a registered guide dog or assistance dog, and show a disability card.

What about hotels?

Similar rules apply at hotels. Other than guide dogs or auxiliary animals, hotels have a right to refuse access for pets.

When booking, check whether a hotel welcomes pets – many do and in fact many specifically advertise themselves as dog friendly.

If you have a severe dog allergy it may be worth mentioning this when booking, so you can ensure that you are not in a room that a dog has previously slept in.

But campsites are okay, right?

As it is with hotels, so it is with campsites. Operators are free to accept or prohibit pets on their grounds, according to the Fédération Française des Campeurs, Caravaniers et Camping-caristes, which knows about this sort of thing.

It says that it is easier to bring pets to a campsite in off-peak season than in high season, but really it all depends on where you are staying.

Walking your dog

Any dog out on the public highway, whether it is on a lead or not, must have a collar bearing the name and address of its owner engraved on a metal plate.

Your dog can be off the lead (unless it’s spring – see below) but it is always your responsibility to keep them under control.

If you’re hiking in mountain areas keep a sharp eye out for signs warning of patou – these are mountain dogs that protect sheep against wolves. They might look cute but they have been known to attack other dogs, so if you see these signs, put your dog back on the lead.

Yes, you have to pick up after your dog…

You might not believe it if you have worked along certain streets in Paris, but it is in fact illegal in France to just walk on after your dog has done its business on the pavement, public road, green space or public parks reserved for children. You can be fined if you fail to pick up after your pet. 

The standard fine is €68, but the mayors of some towns have imposed stricter rules in the street, in parks, gardens and other public spaces, while some towns are even trialling DNA testing to identify owners who do not pick up.

Spring Law

Between April 15th and June 30th every year, it is illegal for dogs to be off the lead in forests, meadow, riverbanks, unless they are on a designated path.

This is to prevent dogs from disturbing nesting birds or animals that have young – and owners can be fined up to €750. 

READ ALSO The little-known French law that could see dog owners fined €750 this spring

Travel

If you are crossing international borders with your dog, you may need extra paperwork.

If you live in France you can get a pet passport issued by your vet in France, and use it to travel to other EU countries, and the UK. If you live in another EU country, you can bring your dog into France by showing its pet passport.

For people travelling from non-EU countries, it is more complicated.

UK-based dog owners need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for a trip over, and a new certificate is required for each trip.

To get one you need:

• Proof of your pet’s microchipping history;
• Your pet’s vaccination record;
• A certificate for a rabies vaccination that was carried out at least 21 days before the date of travel.

READ ALSO Pet Passports: The post-Brexit travel rules for trips between France and the UK

Bringing a dog from the US will also require paperwork and some extra shots.

Once you’re in France, dogs can travel on all trains (apart from the Eurostar) but will need their own tickets unless they are assistance dogs. They may also need a muzzle depending on their size.

City public transport providers have their own rules, in Paris only small dogs (under 6kg) are allowed on the Metro and bus network, while bigger dogs are allowed on the RER suburban trains, as long as they are muzzled.

Owning a dog in France

The above rules apply to all dog-owners in France, whether they live here or not. But if you are a French resident there are some other requirements

Buying a dog

First-time buyers of dogs – and cats for that matter – have to sign a ‘certificate of commitment and understanding’ before they will be allowed to buy an animal from a licenced breeder, or seek to adopt one from a shelter.

Around 300,000 pets are abandoned every year in France, so if you want to adopt, rest assured there are many lovely dogs in shelters looking for a good home.

READ ALSO EXPLAINED: The ways you can adopt a pet in France

After the signed document is delivered to the authorities, future owners have seven days to change their mind.

Registering a dog

Under French law, pet dogs must be identified and registered on a national database. This applies whether you get a new dog in France, or whether you move to France with your dog.

The animal must be identifiable by a tattoo or microchip – the latter is by far the most common method – that is registered on the Identification des carnivores domestiques (I-CAD) database. 

The procedure to insert the microchip, or ink the tattoo, must be carried out by an approved professional. The procedure should be done by a vet and costs between €40 and €70.

Once the animal is registered on the database, the owner will receive a letter from I-CAD, along with a credit card-sized document listing the registered animal’s details, including its home address.

READ ALSO Reader question: Is pet insurance compulsory in France?

The French government’s Service Public website lists a complete list of rules regarding the health and wellbeing of pets.