Lyon with his dog: guided tour by Loxen and Margot
What activities to do in Lyon with your dog? Is Lyon a dog-friendly city? Which parks are allowed for dogs? In this article, discover all the anecdotes of Margaux and her dog Loxen in Lyon!
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Do you remember Margot, our passion for cani cross with a dog? Loxen, her magnificent beagle, and she introduced us to their favorite sport in their portrait Wow Good! Today, our two Lyonnaises present their good plans to us and tell us all that they like to do together in their beautiful city of Lyon. Thanks to them, you will know what to do in Lyon with a dog.
As a reminder, the story of friendship between Margot and Loxen was not made in a day… Adopt a dog, I can't tell you enough!, it's not that simple. Loxen was a “complicated” little dog. The bond of trust that unites them was built with time, patience and the touch of an educator. Loxen was a little dog full of phobias, we had to restore her confidence and serenity. Margot adopted Loxen when she was 8 months old from a kennel; a little dog that had been mistreated and taken very little care of. She already knew that she would choose a beagle because they are athletic and small dogs. She chose a small dog for the practical side: transport, apartment,…. Often taking public transport in Lyon with a dog, it was therefore easier for Margot to take a Beagle.
Lyon with a dog
First important point that I would like to point out: the Lyon tramway accepts dogs. It has only been possible to travel with our dogs on public transport for a few months. It made my life easier! If it's a stuffed animal that you can carry or keep in a bag he does not need to wear a muzzle. For the others the muzzle is compulsory on public transport.
With Loxen, we walk along the quays of the Saône to Ile Barbe or on the left bank of the Rhône where there are lawns, bars and sports equipment to enjoy the place. These are two very pleasant spaces. Continuing towards the north of Lyon along the Rhône, you will arrive at the Parc de la Tête d'Or. It is one of the different public parks where dogs are allowed (Blandan Park, Feyssine Park, etc.).
In this park, there is a zoo area, where your dog is also welcome. She has never been refused in a restaurant before (and I take her very regularly with me!)
Musher and Sophie: “I lived in Lyon for a few months when I didn't yet have Musher. I loved walking along the Rhône and at the Parc de la tête d’or. These are clearly 2 places that I will choose to enjoy Lyon with my dog. Besides, not far away, I can recommend a super dog-friendly guest house: The villa of the Rhone ! Charles, the owner is absolutely adorable and makes it a point of honor to welcome dogs with respect, love and kindness; he even provides them with a welcome kit for dogs and many other facilities that I will let you discover …. I lived on Croix-Rousse hill in the 4th arrondissement: it's one of the cool places to see in Lyon. You can take some of Lyon's famous traboules to discover hidden corners. Take the climb up the Grande Côte to stroll on the Croix-Rousse plateau. It's a place that I loved exploring. And then, another great Lyon classic: the Fourvière hill. Little extra: no need to walk up, take the funicular with your dog. From up there you will overlook all of Lyon: an incredible view! At the bottom of Fourvière, take the time to stroll through the small streets of the Saint Jean district, in old Lyon, around rue Saint Jean: this is where you can find all the Bouchons Lyonnais where you can taste the best local specialties! (beware of tourist traps!)”
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Lyon: a dog-friendly city?
I think Lyon are making a lot of progress on this. Our doggies have several dog parks in Lyon with spaces where you can let them go freely. The “off-leash” is tolerated as in Feyssine Park for example, or a little further in Miribel-Jonage Park. With more than 50km of marked trails: it's a great site to have a good time with your dog. They are unfortunately prohibited on the supervised beaches of the lake but away, you can find some bathing areas where you can swim together. This is a good plan for hot summer days.
And it's also one of the few cities where you can get around by transportation with your dog. I have not yet been refused in a restaurant with my dog In Lyon. I think there are still things to work on but mostly I would say it's a dog friendly city.
I find that there are a lot of dogs in parks. On the other hand, I think that the people of Lyon who own dogs do not yet dare to take public transport. There has been very little communication about this new law that accepts dogs in public transport Lyonnais. (They didn't even change the signs with the mention dog forbidden). But I always have a picture of the law in question in my laptop and I happened to show it to a controller to leave me alone. But it only happened once...
Margaux's story
The best memory is of course the day we found her after she ran away, but there is also the day when she played for the first time with another dog. She took a few months to do it and without the Lyonnais dog parks made available this would never have happened.
The worst memory is the day she disappeared, but there is also the day when a controller forced me to carry her in the corridors leading to the metro "because I had passed through the gates" and I had to carry her. as she had no muzzle. Just before forcing me to wear it he accused me of being with a dog without having the right to do so and he felt stupid when I showed him the SAVARY law poster!
I think you can say a lot of bad things on social media these days but without them I would never have had so much support when I lost my dog. And alone I would not have been able to find her.
Don't have a priori about dogs living in apartments, that there are plenty of possibilities to get them to exercise (for example I practice canicross in the Lyon parks with her) There is a nice community of owners dogs always there to help each other!
Musher and Sophie : “Besides, I advise you to join one of the Lyon walking groups to prepare your stay in this pretty city. It can be an opportunity to plan a walk with friends on 2 and 4 legs and to sniff out new good deals for your holidays in Lyon!”
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Thank you Margot for all your advice! I hope it will have made you want to take a little trip to Lyon with your dog.
Loxen and Margot share lots of other tips on their favorite sport: Cani-cross, quickly follow them on their Instagram account: @margot_dvg