Do you like the Atlantic coast? Vendée, Loire-Atlantique, Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques… Here is a selection of 5 great destinations to discover with your dog. A great source of inspiration for your next vacation with your pet. 

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It's not always easy to find a vacation destination where the whole family, including the dog, can have a blast! But for some time now, some destinations have been reversing the trend! Due to requests from vacationers, some tourist offices have set to work to list the accommodation, restaurants and activities allowed for dogs in their destination. 

Let me introduce you to these destinations to give you some great ideas for a vacation on the Atlantic coast with your dog. Direction Les Sables d'Olonne, Belle-Ile-en-Mer, Royan, Pornichet and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Les Sables d’Olonne with your dog

I'm starting this top 5 destinations to discover with your dog on the Atlantic coast with Les Sables d'Olonne. As I told you in the introduction, the Vendée understands that you like to travel with your dog. There are also numerous campsites in Vendée ready to welcome you and your dog. It is even in Vendée that there is the number 1 campsite in France for holidays with your dog. In this Trop W'ouf campsite, there is a toutouparc, a toutousnack, a toutou, an aquatoutou (aquatic area with water games just for dogs), an activity schedule with activities to share with your dog… By the sea with a beach authorized for dogs or in the Vendée hinterland, you will inevitably find a campsite in Vendée for your dog and you on the specialist site for camping holidays www.Vacansoleil.fr 

Whether you are looking for a special campsite for children, a campsite with entertainment, a campsite by the sea or in the mountains, a mobile home or a safari tent: go online and specify the number of animals accompanying you for the stay. For each campsite offered by the search engine, carefully check the conditions for welcoming animals: maximum number of kennels, maximum dog size, type of accommodation in which they are accepted, cat or dog, etc.

Some activities to do in Les Sables d’Olonne with your dog: 

  • the stroll on the embankment, in the Penotte island district or on the port of Sables d'Olonne
  • lhe shell museum 
  • the bay of Sables d'Olonne by boat 
  • Tanchet woods where an orientation course awaits you
  • the Popcorn Maze
  • beaches authorized for dogs (outside supervised areas): Granges beach, Sauveterre beach, Grande Plage. Remember to check with the tourist office the conditions of access to the beaches to find out all the details.

Between relaxing or long walks on the beach and leisure activities of all kinds, you will surely love your vacation on this little corner of the Atlantic Coast.

To find out everything about the destination, I advise you to read the Mag' article: Les Sables d’Olonne with your dog

Belle-île at sea with her dog

Belle-Ile-en-Mer is an island located in Morbihan but it is also accessible from La Turballe, by boat. If you are staying near Pornic for example, it is very easy to go on an excursion to Belle-Ile-en-Mer with your dog. The Navix boats that shuttle from La Turballe accept dogs on board of course. 

How to discover Belle-Ile-en-Mer? You can explore it by bike, renting a bike with a dog bike trailer. Some rental companies offer them on the island. It could be a good way to discover the island. Or, take the coastal path on foot. There are around 80 kilometers of walks to stretch your legs and take in the views. And then, it's ideal for spotting a dreamy little cove where you can make a splash! And you can also discover the island by bus if you have a small dog that can fit in a closed bag because they are allowed on the Belle-ile Bus which serves most of the villages, accommodations, tourist sites and beaches on the island. every day between Easter and All Saints’ Day. 

I have never been to Belle-Ile-en-Mer with my dog ​​but Justine has! I suggest you discover all his good tips in his article on the Mag': Hiking in Belle-île-en-mer with your dog

Discover Royan with your dog

Let's go a little further south on the Atlantic Coast: direction Charente-Maritime! Welcome to Royan with your dog. Another destination that has thought of your vacation with your pet. The best time to enjoy it: off-season! 

Some activities to do with your dog in Royan: 

  • more than thirty beaches accessible with your dog in and around Royan. In summer, dogs are only allowed on the beach at Bonne Anse Bay between Chemin des Corsaires and La Coubre lighthouse.
  • a sunset on La Coubre beach
  • a walk in the shade: direction the Coubre forest
  • an iodized stroll: go on the Sentier des Douaniers between Saint-Palais-sur-Mer and Royan.
  • a sea trip to Fort Boyard or to the island of Aix for the day

To find out in detail about all the activities to do with your dog in Royan, I advise you to read the Mag' article: Go to Royan with your dog

Pornichet: a destination for your dog and you

Let's now discover Pornichet, a pretty coastal resort in Loire-Atlantique. It's all said in the destination's slogan: #pornichouette! In Pornichet you can leave your car in the car park, everything is done on foot or by bike. 

Your dog will enjoy the walks and hikes all around Pornichet: sometimes on the sea side, sometimes on the bocage side. And for lovers of small tourist trains, you can even discover the coastline sitting comfortably aboard the Little Train La Baule – Pornichet; dogs are welcome on board W'ouf course! 

For dogs who love the sea and swimming, the destination is perfect. The Libraires, Bonne Source and Sainte-Marguerite beaches are allowed for dogs on a leash from September 15 to June 15.

Before ending this 100% holiday-inspired article on the Atlantic coast, let me remind you of some common sense rules to adopt for your dog. 

1/ collect your dog's droppings wherever he leaves memories! 

2/ rinse your dog after each swim in the sea to avoid skin problems 

3/ no beach at the hottest times for your dog: even under your parasol!

Saint-Jean-de-Luz: your dog will love it!

I end this article with one of my favorite destinations. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a seaside resort in the Basque Country, is a place that I enjoyed discovering with my dog. On vacation in the Basque Country, we stopped off in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. 

Some activities to do with your dog in Saint-Jean-de-Luz: 

  • walk to Pointe Sainte-Barbe. From up there we overlook the entire town and the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz: the panorama is superb. And you can see the Socoa fort.
  • the path between Bidart and Hendaye: 25 km of path between fine sandy beaches and vertiginous cliffs. Something to feast your eyes on. And if you do it from north to south, you will enjoy a lovely view of the Rhune and its famous Petit train de la Rhune (accessible to dogs by the way).
  • discovery of the town center by strolling from shop to shop or admiring the colorful facades of the half-timbered houses. 

When I went to Saint-Jean-de-Luz with my dog, we ended our beautiful day with a local tradition: toro de fuego. A small 15-minute show which takes place several times a week, in the evening, on Place Louis XIV. Very pretty but be careful: it is not made for timid dogs. There are a lot of people and the sounds of fireworks can scare him.

To know everything about Saint-Jean-de-Luz with a dog, I recommend the Mag' article! You will have all our advice to properly prepare your vacation in the destination.

You may have noticed, but I haven't told you about the Landes in this article even though it's a destination that's worth it! The Landes with a dog is also a great holiday destination to try. In the Mag', you will also find several articles on the Landes, rest assured 🙂 

I hope I have made you want to travel with your dog!

See you soon dear Wouafer's