Exploring the southwest quarter of France with your dog
Southwest France: a destination full of surprises to explore with your dog. Between breathtaking mountains, fine sandy beaches, and invigorating rivers, there's no shortage of activities and discoveries to share with your canine companion. Plan your Southwest holiday with your dog using this article!
An ideal destination for a holiday with your dog, the southwestern quarter of France brings together two former French regions: Aquitaine and Midi -Pyrénées , between the Atlantic Ocean, the Pyrenees mountain range and Spain.
Between the beaches of the Atlantic coast, the mountain trails, the fortified towns and villages of character, the castles, the renowned gastronomy of the Southwest… The list is long for spending a wonderful holiday in the Southwest with your dog! Indeed, there are many possibilities for organizing a stay that is as varied as it is refreshing.
Aside from the Basque Country, this is a part of France I haven't explored much with Musher. However, while researching activities for this article, it confirmed my intuition: the Southwest truly has something for everyone. Whether you prefer plains, mountains, a bustling coastline, or secluded spots, you and your dog can easily find a holiday destination that suits you.
In this article, I'll share my ideas for walks, visits, swimming spots, and must-do activities to fully enjoy the Southwest with your dog. You'll first discover Aquitaine, before heading off to explore the most beautiful corners of Midi-Pyrénées.
Table of contents
Practical Memo
Where to stay in the Southwest with my dog? Here are 6 of the best QUALIDOG-certified accommodations for your holiday with your dog!
Camping Domaine de la Besse
Surrounded by nature with a river 1km away 💦
Gîte La Maison de Vignes
✨Enclosed garden, ALL dogs welcome ✨
Gite La Ferme du Château
River access and dog-sitting ☀️
Campsite Sites and Landscapes LE VENTOULOU
Dog park & fenced terraces 🌿
Camping Pyrénées Natura Flower 4*
🏞️ Dog-friendly lake 5km away 🏞️
Yelloh! Village Domaine des Chênes Verts 4*
dog park and dog daycare 🐶
Camping and unusual lodging at the lake
Lakefront accommodations 🌿
Camping Le Vieux Port
The beach is dog-friendly 💦🏖
Center Parcs Les Landes de Gascogne area
Current promotional offers!
Ekaya Chalets
🌲 Unusual sights in the heart of nature 🐶
Didn't find what you were looking for in our selection? Here are a few websites where you can find dog-friendly accommodations. They are not QUALIDOG-certified partners, so I don't know their standards of hospitality.
- 🚗 Rent a car
- 🚐 Rent a campervan
- (I.e. Find a train ticket Arrival at the TGV stations of Toulon, Les Arcs-sur-Argens, Saint-Raphaël, then TER regional train
- Restaurant La Dine du Viguier, in Figeac
- Saint Jean Bistro, Bordeaux
- Lago Bar Restaurant, Bordeaux
- To fully enjoy your hikes with your dog in the Southwest, discover our ultimate guide to hiking with your dog ! I share all my tips for preparing your outings and adopting the right reflexes on the trails.
- In the mountain ranges of southwestern France, particularly in the Pyrenees, you may encounter flocks of sheep protected by livestock guardian dogs. Before setting off on a hike with your dog, I advise you to learn about the right reflexes to adopt when faced with guard dogs so that the meeting takes place safely.
- In summer, temperatures can rise rapidly in the Southwest, both on the Aquitaine coast and in the valleys of the Midi-Pyrénées. I advise you to bring some refreshing accessories for your dog and to favour walks early in the morning or at the end of the day.
- Be vigilant during your hikes in the Southwest: the pine forests of the Landes, Gironde, and Basque Country can harbor processionary caterpillars, particularly in spring. If your dog comes into contact with these highly irritating insects, I advise you to consult our article on emergency procedures to adopt.
Visiting Aquitaine with your dog
Aquitaine is a must-see destination in the Southwest. You'll love it if you enjoy walks in nature, charming villages, discovering heritage sites, and of course, beach outings with your dog.
Hiking and walks with your dog
Aquitaine is a fantastic playground for hiking and dog walking enthusiasts. Between the coastline, forests, dunes, and villages, there are plenty of routes to discover the region at your own pace.
- La Dune of Pilat It's impossible to miss the famous Dune of Pilat In Gironde, dogs are allowed on the dune, provided they are kept on a leash and their excrement is picked up. However, they are not allowed on the beach at the foot of the dune.
- Le Arcachon bay : The Arcachon bay is also ideal for a walk along the coastal paths, oyster ports or between the Port of Aiguillon and the city centre of Arcachon, always with a dog kept on a leash.
- Le GR4 in Charente For those who enjoy long hikes, the GR4 in Charente offers the opportunity to explore the region's vineyards and villages with your dog. You can hike the trail over several hours or several days. Just remember to respect the rules of the natural areas you cross, where dogs may be required to be kept on a leash.
- The hiking in the Basque Country Between the coastal path, the ridges of La Rhune, Artzamendi or the Iparla peak, the panoramas of the Basque Country alternate between ocean and mountains where the green vegetation is surprising.
Aquitaine is not just about its hiking trails. The region also abounds with dog-friendly visits and activities that are well worth a visit.
Dog-friendly activities to do with your dog
Beyond its landscapes, Aquitaine is full of dog-friendly activities that allow you to discover its heritage, its most beautiful villages and its gastronomy without leaving your dog behind.
Aquitaine is full of villages where it's lovely to stroll with your dog. I particularly recommend:
- La Roque-Gageac, in Dordogne
- Saint-Émilion, in Gironde
- Labastide-d'Armagnac, in the Landes region
- Montflanquin, in Lot-et-Garonne
- Espelette, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Heritage enthusiasts can visit several castles in the Périgord region of the Dordogne with their dogs . Dogs on leashes are particularly welcome at these castles:
- Castelnaud Castle
- Beynac Castle
- Commarque Castle
- Fortified House of Reignac
- Castle Bridoire Dogs are allowed outdoors and small dogs are allowed indoors if they are carried.
Other activities I recommend:
- To explore the region on foot: the Terra Aventura route, a vast network of geocaching which allows you to discover the treasures of Aquitaine in a fun way with your dog.
- For Discover the Arcachon Basin by boatThe Arcachon boatmen accept dogs on board for an additional €2.
😋 After your visits, take the opportunity to discover the local cuisine in the many dog-friendly restaurants in Aquitaine.
👉 To prepare for your stay, also check out our dedicated article on travelling to Aquitaine with your dog!
After all these discoveries, all you have to do is enjoy the Aquitaine coastline and its many swimming spots to offer your dog a refreshing break.
Beaches and swimming spots
Between the wild beaches of the Landes, the lakes of the Landes, the Basque coast and the Arcachon Basin, there are many opportunities for swimming, but the rules vary from one municipality to another.
- The Landes are undoubtedly the most favorable sector, with many vast ocean beaches where dogs are accepted, especially outside of the high season.
- In GirondeSeveral beaches are also accessible to them, but the regulations vary from one municipality to another.
- If you are a student, this silver necklace is absolutely your first choice. The silver color will show your vitality and your youth. visit the Arcachon BasinCheck before you go out, as some municipalities prohibit dogs on their beaches for a large part of the year. As for the Dune du Pilat, dogs are welcome on the dune itself, provided they are kept on a leash, but they are not allowed on the beach at its base.
- Finally, on the Basque coast, the Dog-friendly beaches in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are less common, especially during the summer season.
👉 To extend your discovery of the Aquitaine region, I also recommend our one-week itinerary in the Médoc with your dog , for a holiday south of Bordeaux.
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
Discover the Midi-Pyrénées region with your dog
I recommend the Midi-Pyrénées region if you like wide open spaces, from plains to mountains, charming villages and outdoor activities to share with your dog.
Hiking and walks with your dog
With its mountains, valleys, and wide-open spaces, Midi-Pyrénées is a prime destination for hiking enthusiasts with their dogs. Whether you're looking for a family stroll or a more challenging route, the possibilities are numerous.
The Pyrenees offer a multitude of trails accessible with a dog outside the core of the National Park. For hiking with your dog in magnificent landscapes, I particularly recommend:
- la Gavarnie valley, the Val d'Azun or Cauterets area, in the Hautes-Pyrénées
- in the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park: the Bassies ponds, the Tarbesou Peak, the Laurenti pond, the waterfall of Ars and the Appy pond.
- le Luchon areain Haute-Garonne, which includes Lake Oô, Lakes Espingo and Portillon, the Hospice de France, the Lys Valley and many GR®10 trails.
💡 Important: Dogs are prohibited in the core area of the Pyrenees National Park, even on a leash. Remember to check the boundaries of this zone before planning your hikes.
If you are looking for more accessible walks, you can discover the Midi-Pyrénées region through these destinations:
- the Dordogne ValleyThis route, which mainly crosses the Lot department, is on track to obtain the Destination QUALIDOG label from our team. This destination has everything you could want for a holiday with your dog: magnificent landscapes, hikes of varying difficulty levels, rivers for swimming and water sports, not to mention a rich and vibrant culture, emblematic of the Southwest.
- the Aveyron, and in particular the City of StonesA magical, QUALIDOG-certified place that I loved discovering with Musher and my little girl. This landscaped natural site allows you to explore an impressive rocky landscape on trails suitable for most visitors, while also offering a welcoming environment designed for travelers with their dogs.
- Gers It is also a very beautiful department, hilly with many hiking or cycling routes.
After exploring the most beautiful trails in the region, I suggest you discover some dog-friendly activities to add variety to your stay.
Dog-friendly activities to do with your dog
Beyond its landscapes, the Midi-Pyrénées region is full of dog-friendly activities that allow you to discover its heritage, villages and gastronomy without leaving your dog behind.
- I recommend you take the time to Visit the iconic towns and villages of the Midi-Pyrénées with your dog. To start, LourdesIn the Hautes-Pyrénées, the main outdoor spaces of the town and the banks of the Gave river offer pleasant walks. There is also Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful villages in France in the Lot, or even Najac, a royal bastide in the Aveyron.
- If your dog enjoys water sportsSeveral bases offer canoe or kayak trips. This is particularly the case for Naturokayarcin Ariège, as well as the leisure center Lot of Sports in Cahors in the Lot, which also welcomes dog owners.
- The heritage lovers will be able to visit the Almost Caves, QUALIDOG certified, or discover the Larzac Commandery, an old Templar site which is well suited to a visit with their dog on a leash.
- It's impossible to leave the Midi-Pyrénées region without sampling its gastronomy.Local markets offer a chance to discover regional specialties while enjoying the friendly atmosphere of the villages. I simply recommend going early in the morning during the summer, when the markets are less crowded and more pleasant for your pet.
After all these discoveries, it's time for a refreshing break with some ideas for beaches, lakes and swimming spots where your dog can stretch its legs and cool off.
Swimming spots for your dog
Even far from the ocean, the Midi-Pyrénées region has no shortage of places to cool off with your dog.
- The Lot and Dordogne Valleys allow you to enjoy several river swimming areas, which are particularly enjoyable during periods of intense heat.
- For an original activity, the Bel Air Park CenterThe facility, which has the QUALIDOG label, has a swimming pool specially designed for dogs. It's an excellent way for them to exercise and cool off safely, especially on the hottest days.
I advise against letting your dog swim in high-altitude lakes, especially above 1000m, as even a simple swim damages the ecosystem far more than you might think. To protect our beautiful planet, respect these lakes where time seems to stand still 🥰
The Southwest, between Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées, is brimming with dog-friendly activities, charming villages, beaches, hiking trails, and great places to enjoy a wonderful holiday with your dog. To fully enjoy this destination, consider the QUALIDOG-certified accommodations I mentioned at the beginning of this article : they are perfectly suited for your stay with your four-legged friend.
And you, what are your favorite spots in the Southwest with your dog? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments! 👇
