Languedoc-Roussillon by van with your dog: between sea, river and mountains
In this article, discover the adventures of Aurélie and her Malinois during her van vacation in Languedoc-Rousillon. Between sea, rivers and mountains, let yourself be tempted by this destination!
Table of contents
Today the Wouafer's, we are going to discover the journey of Aurélie and her malinois! Aurélie, our Dog-Reporter will tell us about her trip through Languedoc-Roussillon in a converted truck with her two dogs! Aurélie had a great time and was able to test a lot of things to do with her dogs. In a few days, Aurélie and her dogs were able to discover radically different landscapes and corners ranging from the mountains, to the sea, to the gorges of the Tarn...
I'm not going to talk any longer and I'll let you speak Aurélie! Tell us all about your trip, your hikes, your tips!
From Lozère to Languedoc-Roussillon with his dog!
It is with pleasure that I take you to the heart of our journey in Lozère and through the Languedoc-Roussillon in a converted truck with my dogs!
Between land, sea and mountains, we had the joy of discovering sublime landscapes, where nature is queen, to the delight of our doggies and ourselves.
Our trip started in Lozère. We began our excursion in the small town of Saint-Enimie at the foot of Tarn gorges. An ideal place if you want to swim with your dogs. The site is easily accessible with ample parking along the river.
Musher and Sophie: “Besides the Wouafer's, if the converted van is a means of transport that makes you want to, I advise you to read another testimonial from Raphaël and his wife going on vacation with their dogs in a converted van ! This article can help you get organized to take the plunge! I know a little bit about Lozère with Musher. It's one of my favorite getaway spots. Living in the Hérault, in a car ride, we often go to enjoy the great natural spaces of Lozère. Nestled between the Aubrac regional park (my favourite!), the Monts d'Ardèche regional park and the Cévennes national park, Lozère is a little nugget to explore with your dog. And the gorges of the Tarn are obviously one of these nuggets. If you have some time ahead of you, I advise you to rent a canoe and go down the Tarn gorges with your dog. It's quite an incredible place. In the article Millau and the Gorges du Tarn with a dog you can also discover other activities to do with your dog in the area if you stay there a little longer than Aurélie and her darlings.”
We then continued to explore the Boisset estate trail and the view from the sublime bridge. Count 20 minutes of walking uphill, before finding the panorama. The view is truly sublime.
If you want to have a bite to eat in a good restaurant, I suggest you eat at the Sublime Bridge Inn. Our dogs are very well received in this restaurant 🙂
Direction this time to Bouillouses lake 69 km from the previous site. Total change of landscape, we arrive in the mountains. Bouillouses lake is a listed site at the foot of the Massive Carlit. You can admire the magnificent view of the lake and take great hikes through the mountain. Be careful though because the horses and cows are in total freedom. This is a great place for all nature and nature lovers. canitrail or cani-rando.
Musher and Sophie: “Do you want to try this hike with your dog? That's great !! But there are a few things to know and precautions to take because Hiking with your dog cannot be improvised ! With Musher we love hiking but it's true that there are little tips not to forget for a successful hike. Attention, with regard to the Lake of the bouillouses…. access is regulated in high season and you will have to park at the bottom with your car and take the shuttle. For everyone's safety and comfort, access to dogs in the shuttles is authorized provided that they are equipped with a muzzle for the entire journey. The number of animals is limited to a maximum of 5 per vehicle. It is therefore better to anticipate so as not to end up with your beak/snout in the water, as happened to me with Musher! ;)”
Find QUALIDOG accommodation in Languedoc-Roussillon
Find a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation for a truly Wow holiday with your dog!
Discover the Pyrénées-Orientales with your dog!
Let's now discover the Pyrénées-Orientales in Cerbères underwater trail in the town of Cerbères-Banyuls.
From there, you can take a long hike with your dog to get to the panorama of the sea. Be careful, the paths are narrow and steep to climb (but it's excellent for cardio haha). Mandatory bottle of water and even for our dogs! 😉
Musher and Sophie: “Do you love hiking with your dog? So here is an article that will help you organize your hike with your dog! Hiking: equipment for going on a mop with your dog ! "
Penultimate spot we visited, the canyon of the Gorges du Llech 97 kms from the Cerbères underwater trail in the town of Esther at 750 m above sea level.
We found a splendid spot, one of my favorites! The next morning, let's goooo for the hike with our dogs towards the canyon! Be careful, you must bring good hiking shoes to avoid slipping because the descent is very very steep (the ascent also by the way, you have to climb). If your dog is not at least athletic or if he tends not to listen too much, it can become dangerous so be careful! Iron and Rocket, our dogs, were awesome! They took great care of us and especially of themselves!
Be careful, I recommend this hike only to athletes!
However, the efforts are really worth it, the place is just Wow Beautiful!
Direction the Gorges du Gouleyrous with his dog!
The last destination of our trip: The Gouleyrous gorges in Tautavel (60 kms separate the previous site). On the road to Tautavel, we discovered a totally different landscape, more desert, wilder, a bit American-style, very very beautiful!!! The spot to sleep not being programmed in advance, we set off to find the ideal place! Not easy on this part of the region because many municipalities prohibit illegal parking. To access the site, you will have to pay the parking fee of 8€. The site is well known, so there are quite a few tourists. You can bathe your dog there! However, be careful of the large crowds during the summer periods.
You can also go up to the prehistoric cave with your dog. The route is rather simple to do, also to do with hiking shoes because the rocks are slippery. Arrived at the top, we discover the archaeological site which is forbidden entry to tourists. We can just see the cave through a grating. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk there and back.
Musher and Sophie: “ Not far from Tautavel, you will surely pass in front of the Cathar castles of Peyrepertuse or Quéribus for example. These are majestic and dog-friendly citadels!! If you have a little more time than Aurélie, I advise you to read or reread the article Holidays in Aude with your dog, Carcassonne and Cathar castles to discover all the great pet-friendly tips in the area. And there is plenty to do! ”
And here is the end of our trip… In conclusion, a superb week where we were able to visit and see lots of landscapes with our dogs! We all enjoyed ourselves, the dogs like their masters! 🙂
Wow! Thank you very much Aurélie for sharing this trip! I already knew some of these Too W'ouf corners but you made me discover new ones that look incredible! Thank you for all your good plans, I'm sure that many Wouafer's have taken notes and will soon organize a short stay following your footsteps! 🙂