7 destinations for a vacation with your dog away from the crowds
What are the destinations far from the crowds for a successful vacation with your dog? Corsica, Morvan, Limousin, Larzac, Mayenne, Ardennes or even Guyana: discover these 7 ideal destinations for a vacation with your dog!
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That's it ! We've been waiting for this for so long... We are finally déconfinés!!! In fact, my dog and I feel a bit like the snow queen, freed, freed, it's our holidays this summer… ok… sorry to have put it in your head…!
I have only one desire: to go on vacation with my dog. Because of the Covid-19, the holidays are going to be different... So for more security and serenity, we will go to a destination without tourists, in one of these magnificent corners of France, discreet and jealously guarded by its inhabitants... No question of to lay our towel on a crowded beach. I want to breathe without stressing about crossing the crowd.
After some research, I decided to share with you 7 super cool destinations, without tourists, to spend a furry holiday with your dog! I also share with you all the dog-friendly activities and accommodation that you can book on site 🙂
The mountains of Corsica, Limousin, the Ardennes, Guyana… Ready to find the dog-friendly destination for your next summer vacation with your dog?
The Mountains of Corsica with his dog
Corsica is THE idyllic destination for your summer vacation. This island, known as much for its beauty as for its gastronomy, will seduce the most adventurous among you! And, in addition to being a magnificent region, Corsica is also a very welcoming region for your holidays with your dog. The dog-friendly beaches are numerous and hiking trails abound. There are hikes for all levels. If you want to get away from the tourists, flee the beaches and reach the mountains. All you have to do is choose a hiking route with your dog to be almost alone in the world. Hundreds of kilometers of marked trails are to be discovered, and, most often, with a magical sea view!
And if you prefer to take to the open sea and get away from the coast, then go to sea for a paddle boarding or canoeing with your dog… On the water, no doubt, you will not meet many people…
To know ! To go to Corsica with your dog, the company Corsica Ferries, allows dogs on its boats. What could be better than starting your vacation by traveling by boat with your dog? Wondering how your ferry trip with your dog will be? Discover all our tips for a successful ferry crossing in the article: Take the Ferry with your dog
For more information on visiting Corsica with your dog, discover the article: “Enjoying your holidays in Corsica with your dog"
I went to Corsica without Musher. I didn't have him with me at the time. We feasted. It was in June; we thus avoided the strong heat. Pay attention to the heatstroke for your dog. But rest assured, in Corsica, there is always a magical corner of water to cool off: a heavenly beach, a river with incredible basins, mountain lakes...
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in Corsica
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in Corsica
The Morvan Regional Natural Park with his dog
For an even wilder holiday with your dog, go to Burgundy to explore the Morvan regional natural park ! This magnificent regional natural park, created in 1970, is, along with the Ballon des Vosges natural park and the Haut Jura natural park, one of the 3 parks in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. It now brings together 117 towns, each prettier and more rural than the next. A green setting nestled between Dijon and Nevers, it is a space that is worth the detour.
In this huge natural park, you can practice many outdoor sports with your dog! Cani-vt, cani-hiking on marked trails, cani cross, white water sports, fishing, treasure hunts organized with the tourist office… And all this in a setting of wild greenery and almost without tourists.
In the regional natural park of Morvan with your dog, you can for example enjoy the walk the leap of the gouloux or enjoy the pretty Settons lake where dogs are accepted.
If you like the great outdoors, sports, hiking, sun and nature, then the Morvan Regional Nature Park is a good choice for your holidays with your dog! Dogs are allowed throughout the natural park, provided they are kept on a leash or lead.
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in Burgundy
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in Burgundy
The Limousin with his dog
Le Limousin in New Aquitaine, just waiting for you and your dog! It's a corner of France that I love because it's impossible to get bored there… In the Limousin, nature is omnipresent. All sports are possible with your dog! We often associate summer holidays with the beach, but frankly going to the beach in summer with your dog: what a hassle! First, few beaches accept them. And then, who says beach, says sun and therefore heat: the enemy of your dog. And these destinations are very busy so it's impossible to let your dog run free, he must be attached from morning to evening and from evening to morning... I avoid these destinations. I'm a fan of nature destinations so YES! I put Limousin in the spotlight.
day hikes, horseback riding with your dog, swimming in the lakes, bike with his dog, running, visiting castles… Everything is possible. And it must also be said that the Limousin is a very sparsely populated area, so on the tourism side: the spaces of freedom are yours…
Just next to the Limousin, I also invite you to discover the Creuse, one of the least populated departments of France. A green setting in the New Aquitaine region ideally located for practicing a multitude of sports and outings with your dog, in freedom! In hollow, discover for example the Vassivière lake with your dog, the beaches and lawns are dog-friendly! You can also go canoeing here!
When I was younger, I hosted a holiday camp in this corner of France. I spent 3 unforgettable weeks and I discovered magical, intimate, preserved places...
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in Aquitaine
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in Aquitaine
The Larzac with his dog
Did you know that the Larzac in the Occitanie region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011? And yes, for having set foot there a few times with my dog, it's a marvel of nature! The plateau extends over more than 1000 km to the south of the department of Aveyron. This place will be the ideal playground for your outdoor activities with your dog. You can also discover a unique cultural heritage and incredible biodiversity.
The Larzac has thousands of hiking trails, swimming, games in the middle of nature (without a leash of course) with only tourists, hundreds of sheep! I am a great lover of this place, very close to my home. These are magical landscapes that I never tire of crossing. This is a territory that should appeal to young and old. And if you push further south, you will discover the marvelous Aubrac plateau.
Very close to Larzac, I also invite you to discover the magnificent destination of Millau. To discover all the dog-friendly possibilities of this destination, read the article Millau and its surroundings with a dog. A piece of advice, don't miss the hike on the Corniches du Larzac in Millau, the view is just breathtaking!
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in Occitanie
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in Occitania
Mayenne with his dog
How to write this article, without telling you about Mayenne, the department where I grew up... Mayenne is a department of the Pays-de-Loire region. Often overlooked, it is crossed by the motorway to go to Brittany. We shun it, we snub it, we don't stop there and yet... Discovering Mayenne with your dog, it's worth the detour!! Unspoiled nature, a rich heritage, inhabitants with a big heart who like to share and receive, lakes and rivers to have fun and cool off with your dog...
Everything is there to spend a holiday filled with joy and encounters! In summer, Mayenne remains a relatively sparsely populated department, far from the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, your dog will be able to enjoy the hundreds of virgin hectares offered by the region! Again, far from everything, the leash will not be required for your sports getaways in the middle of nature!
I invite you to discover some classics with your dog: Laval and its old streets, Mayenne and its castle, Sainte Suzanne and its castle, La Fontaine Daniel, Saulges and its caves, the Mont des Avaloirs, the towpath which crosses the whole department along the Mayenne… without forgetting Jublains and its prestigious Gallo-Roman remains! It's been a long time since men understood that Mayenne was a magical territory 🙂
Personally, I learned to love the Mayenne when I got my first motorcycle when I was around 20 years old. I put on my helmet, a small rucksack with water and a few chocolates (never forget the essentials, huh!) and set off to explore the small roads in my department. I discovered dozens and dozens of castles and mansions on the edge of a wood, hidden behind hedges, reflected in a pond... And for motorbike fans, I advise you to read the article : Traveling by motorbike with your dog.
And if you like this kind of territory, combining nature and history, La Sarthe and Orne on the borders of Mayenne will also seduce you. On the program, hiking, cycling, walks, games in the river and lakes, in short, a shared pleasure!
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in Pays de Loire
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in Pays de Loire
The Ardennes with his dog
The department of Bulge is a magnificent department of the Grand Est region. The Ardennes with your dog is once again a 100% nature destination, 100% sport, 100% family! On the program, mountain biking, hiking, heritage visits, river tourism, family tourism, equestrian activities, swimming, trail running, walks...
In the Ardennes with your dog, it is impossible to be bored for a single second! Your whole family will find the occupation that suits them, and all this, in a natural, intimate and welcoming setting... For example, you can test the canoe with your dog at the rental company. Cape Ardennes, visit the topiary park with your dog, the citadel and the Dinant cable car, Annevoie water gardens… Activities and visits will not be lacking!
→ Discover a listing of accommodation where dogs are welcome in the Grand-Est region
→ Discover a list of activities to do with your dog in the Grand-Est region
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodation far from the crowds
Has this article made you want to find a destination far from the crowds for a Wow holiday with your dog? Do you want to find accommodation where your dog is well received? That’s good because I have prepared a small selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation for you!
Bonuses! Also discover Guyana with your dog
La Guyane française is an overseas region located on the northeast coast of South America. If you are looking for a wild holiday destination with your dog to play Robinson Crusoe, Guyana is a perfect destination. On the sole condition, of course, that you agree to fly with your dog 😉 and hummm... not sure that planes are allowed to fly again... It's a destination to put in the back of your mind for the moment but to discover for sure.
To learn more about this mysterious but no less welcoming and magnificent destination, discover a complete article: Holidays in Guyana with my dog !
I hope these ideas will have made you want to take off in France for this summer! Musher and I have already booked our next destination, accommodation included!
This summer, we are going on vacation to France, and I think it is an excellent opportunity to relaunch tourism in the country. Our beautiful France has so much to offer, it is full of magnificent corners, why would you want to go abroad? …
And don't forget, if you go on vacation with your dog, subscribe to our account Facebook & Instagram to follow all our destination news and publish your photos with #takeondog. That way, I could discover you with your doggies!