What to do in Montpellier with your dog? Tips and discoveries…
What to do with your dog in Montpellier? Which places are dog-friendly in Montpellier? Where to swim with your dog near Montpellier? You will know everything!
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Today, I decided to take you on a trip to the south of France to brighten up your day! For this, I invite you to discover the city of Montpellier with your dog. Listen...can you already hear them in the distance? The cicadas are waiting for you!
A southern city par excellence, Montpellier was recently voted the most dog-friendly city in France. And yes ! It is one of the cities in France where it is good to live with your dog. For the third consecutive year, the city is at the top of the list. Canine space, public transport, canine equipment, education courses… In Montpellier, many actions are carried out so that the dog can live in perfect harmony with its master in the urban space. Is that enough to make you want to discover Montpellier even more with your dog, I suppose?
Your 2 guides for this visit will be our 2 Wouafer's, Elisa and Billie, two Montpellier girls in love with Montpellier… So let's go! Let's follow the guides to every nook and cranny of their pretty town. I give the floor to Elisa.
Elisa and Billie, inseparable from Montpellier...
Hello, my name is Elisa. I'm 23 years old, originally from Alsace, and I've been living in Montpellier since September 2019. I live with my 2-year-old dog, Billie (and my cat, Harry). My dog is from Réunion Island ; she's a Royal Bourbon . I was lucky enough to find her ad on the Oh My Dog Facebook page. And after a 14-hour flight, I was able to pick up Billie when she was 4 months old.
It is a very fearful ball of love. She jumps with every sudden movement and does not allow herself to be approached by strangers. She is full of energy, always looking for activity and she is a great duck hunter. I am also nicknamed “madam duck” in the group of dog masters we are part of following Billie’s hours of contemplation of ducks… She is cuddly with the people around her and very sociable with her fellow dogs and cats . In short, she's the perfect bitch in my eyes even if our beginning of relationship was complicated… Very fearful at first, we had to get used to each other but now I don't do any activity without her. And if I am invited somewhere, my relatives know that Billie will be there, we are inseparable!
Our favorite activity: going for walks together. We love discovering new places to hike , peaceful spots away from the city. As long as she can run or play, she's always happy! And so am I.
Montpellier, 1st dog-friendly city in France
In Montpellier, generally speaking, your dog will be accepted everywhere if you take the time to politely ask for access with them. It's a student city where life is pleasant and quite easy. I arrived in this city without knowing which places accepted dogs , but we were almost never refused entry. In Montpellier, dogs are truly welcome. This is also one of the reasons I decided to move to this city. Indeed, many green spaces and walking areas are perfectly accessible to dogs, even if they usually need to be kept on a leash.
As you mentioned, this city is also known as the most dog-friendly city in France! Montpellier has implemented numerous initiatives to promote the integration of dogs into the city. For example, dog waste bags are available, public transport is free for your pet , and there's a wide selection of dog-friendly parks. It's for all these reasons that you'll see many dogs during your outings. It's a pleasure, provided your dog is sociable!
The surrounding area is pure bliss: there are countless walks to enjoy, through the garrigue, the vineyards, or even in the mountains and on the beach. Incidentally, I should mention that several wineries, such as Vignoble Le Domaine des Conquêtes, just 20 minutes from Montpellier, are dog-friendly. I'll tell you more about that later 😉
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Montpellier
Do you want to plan a vacation in Montpellier with your dog? Are you looking for QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Montpellier for a great vacation with your dog? Here is a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation!
Apricot and Orange Houses Gîtes
💦 River 200m away and enclosed garden 🌿
Camping le Mas des Roses
With a dog-friendly restaurant!
Where to walk your dog in Montpellier?
There are plenty of places to walk your dog in the city...
Montcalm Park is really very large. Athletes and many masters meet there to share a walk.
The park at the Domaine de Meric is also very pleasant! It's more in nature, very flowery, and you can even find yourself in the forest with your dog in a few places.
The banks of the Lez River are a great place to let your dog run free! However, be careful if your dog likes to eat everything in sight, as you might find some litter. There are also many ducks in the area, so please be mindful not to disturb them.
The Peyrou park, right in the heart of the city, is also pleasant for short walks. The artificial lake is worth discovering!
These four areas are our favorite spots for long, lovely walks in Montpellier. We also enjoy walks in the Montmaur woods , around the Lac des Garrigues , in the park of the Château de Grammont , and on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle in the heart of the city… In short, with your dog in Montpellier, you won't be short of places to stroll.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “Musher and I live near Montpellier. And it's true that it's the perfect city to live with your dog! There are always small alleys to discover, small shops to unearth, small flowery squares where you can enjoy the sun... With your dog, I advise you to discover the historic center and more specifically the Ecusson district. Do not hesitate to stroll along the sandstone of your desires between the small streets of the center, you will always find a pretty little terrace where you can sit quietly with your dog. If you want ideas for nice places to have a coffee with your dog, I advise you, the Place Jean Jaures, the Comedy Square of course, the Halles Laissac, the St Roch church square, europe square… Montpellier is the city where life is good: sun, musicians, small restaurants... In short, the warm atmosphere of the south of France par excellence!”
👋 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
Dog-friendly beaches around Montpellier
Around Montpellier, we have our favorite dog-friendly beaches! Among these, I invite you to discover:
Grand Travers beach in La Grande Motte, access point #60. There's a large car park and a beautiful stretch of beach where many families meet with their dogs. The place is clean! Dogs are allowed at this access point all year round, all day long.
The beach at Domaine de Vassal in Sète also accepts dogs all year round and all day long.
Clôt beach in Agde also welcomes dogs all year round and all day long; it's also known as Tamarissière beach. In fact, the Tamarissière campsite , which runs alongside the beach, also allows dogs, and they are very well received!
Frontignan beach allows dogs during the off-season, between October and May. However, a trial was conducted in 2023, and access was reserved for them during the summer. Access 34 to 40!
The Anau Cove is a little further away but superb! It's located in Sète . Be warned, you need to go early to avoid the crowds and to be able to enjoy it.
Generally, the beaches are not allowed to dogs in the region during the high season because there are many tourists… But during the low season it is tolerated when the dogs are kept on a leash. Well, I still have to admit that my dog never is… 😉
Afterwards, in the surrounding area, other beaches allow dogs: Plage les Hespérides in Balaruc-les-Bains and Plage du Grand Travers in Carnon /la Grande Motte.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: “It is not always easy to keep the list of beaches authorized for dogs up to date because municipalities often change their minds: once yes, once no… Whichever beach you want to go to with your dog , always check the directions on the signs at the entrance to the beach. If the beach is not authorized for dogs and you defy the ban, you expose yourself to a fine!
Sharing a walk on the beach with your dog is always a magical moment. Our furry friends love the beach: running, digging, swimming… There's so much fun for them! But be careful, the beach hides some dangers… sand, salt, jellyfish, waves, and currents… Find out more in the article: Taking your dog to the beach: some precautions to take.
Lakes and ponds authorized for dogs in Montpellier
For holidays in Montpellier with your dog, many water points, rivers, ponds and creeks are accessible to free-roaming dogs!
For rivers and lakes, we recently discovered a fantastic spot! It's located in Clapier , at a place called Le Fesquet. You can park for free above the field. From there, several walking trails are possible all along the river, perfect for cooling off your dog in the summer.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “Going to the river in summer is really the best for refreshing walks and to share summer activities with your dog ! But if you don't live near a water point, don't worry, I have some tips for you! When the thermometer goes crazy, I equip Musher with a refreshing mattress or an cooling jacket. There are also refreshing bones and the timeless cooling harnesses ! Some smart tips to keep your dog cool!”
You can also enjoy the Vic Pond near Mireval or the Moures Pond . They are right next to each other and offer ample walking areas near Maguelone Cathedral . I encourage you to visit the Méjean Pond , which is immense and magnificent. The source of the Avy River is also worth discovering! It's a river in Grabels , surrounded by nature.
Alternatively, for the region's classic activities, there's Lake Salagou where you can enjoy all sorts of water sports with your dog: paddleboarding , canoeing , pedal boating , etc. Be careful with your towels and swimsuits, though—the red soil stains stubbornly! If you have a white dog, it will come back completely pink for a few days…
Another classic spot in the region for swimming with your dog is the Lac du Crès or the Étang du Grec in Palavas . You'll almost certainly see wild flamingos there!
Visits to do with your dog near Montpellier
There are some places near Montpellier that are definitely worth a visit with your dog!
- The Vineyard The Domaine des Conquêtes In Aniane: this vineyard is so dog-friendly that it has been awarded 3 truffles by its QUALIDOG label. You can even bring several dogs if you let the estate know in advance. They can accompany you on the vineyard and cellar tours, during the tasting, and at the workshops and activities organized around their IGP Saint-Guilhem-du-Désert wines. The family atmosphere is perfect for spending quality time and learning more about the fine wines of Languedoc with your dog!
- Valmagne Abbey An exceptional place where dogs are welcome, and which has even received the QUALIDOG label! The entire abbey and its impressive cloister are definitely worth a visit. You can explore it independently, with a guide, or even as part of a treasure hunt.
- The mills of Lafous of Lauret, above the Claret village, you will find mill ruins and a river made up of a tank and turquoise blue water (this site remains uncrowded and there are times when there is no water, it depends on the rains and the weather). the season).
- The Capitelles of Blauzac One hour from Montpellier, this walk is as interesting for the owner as his dog, you will find old houses in funny shapes.
- The castle of Mas Rougie, it is an abandoned castle that you can visit while walking your dog.
- Lerab Ling Buddhist Temple and its surroundings, not to be missed for mountain lovers. Attention ! I learned on the spot that the temple was forbidden to dogs! However, it is magnificent and you can easily contemplate it from afar and hike all around which will offer you panoramic views and incredible calm. 1 hour from Montpellier, it really is a magical place to discover in the Hérault with your dog.
✅ Thousands of dog-friendly addresses are waiting for you: start a search and go on vacation with your dog! ✅
Hiking with your dog near Montpellier
To hike with your dog near Montpellier, the choice is wide! There are many routes that I recommend:
- Teyran vineyard walk
- le Mont Baudille
- walks in the garrigue at Castries
- le Coulazou stream
- hiking Pic Saint Loup
- walks in Nebian
- walks and hikes in Saint-Guilhem the desert
I actually tried canoeing last summer with my dog at the rental company “ Canoë Rapido ” – a great experience!
Bars & Restaurants allowed to dogs in Montpellier
For restaurants, we are always very well received with Billie at “Rosemarie” and “Bonobo” in Montpellier. But also at “La grange”, “Neko” and “les t'ocqués” were also recommended to us. For bars, you can go to “Quincaillerie”, “Discopathe”, “the beehive” and “la Raffinerie” these are places where I am always well received with my dog.
Musher and Sophie: “If you're coming to Montpellier on holiday with your dog, discover all the dog-friendly accommodations in Occitanie ! These are places that are delighted to welcome dogs and proud of it! Also discover many activities to share with your dog in Occitanie. ”
Discover the area around Montpellier with your dog
More than Montpellier, the entire Hérault department is magnificent. I recommend two articles to explore the surrounding area:
To discover the area around Montpellier with your dog in a guided way, there's nothing better than a week-long itinerary where all activities are dog-friendly! Discover our itinerary to explore the Hérault region day by day, taking your dog everywhere with you!
Last tips for a successful holiday with your dog in Montpellier
If you're on holiday or staying in Montpellier with your dog, remember to be mindful of the heat! Temperatures can be extreme, especially in summer, so make sure your dog can tolerate the heat and always have plenty of water to keep them hydrated to prevent heatstroke. Also, consider protecting them against Leishmaniasis , a disease transmitted by an insect found mainly in the south of France.
Ideally, I would advise going to Montpellier with your dog a little before the high season, around April-May, in order to be able to enjoy the calm and be able to visit magical places without tourists! Hoping that you will like my advice and places to walk, see you soon in Montpellier!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “What a complete tourist visit! A huge thank you to our 2 Wouafer's, Elisa and Billie for all these details. With all this information, there is no doubt that Montpellier with its dog is a holiday destination Too W'ouf! If you want to follow the adventures of our 2 Wouafer's, head to Elisa's instagram account: @elisa.munch 😉!”
organize your holidays
Ready for the Hérault? Did this article make you want to organize a stay in Montpellier with your dog? Prepare your holidays serenely by clicking on the following links:
Read also
How to go to Montpellier?
Book accommodation in Montpellier
Book among the QUALIDOG-labeled accommodation for your holidays
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- (I.e. Find an “ok dog” campsite for this stay
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What you are doing for our little ones is great because it's not easy to find rentals that accept dogs!!
Very good initiative
Thank you all for your involvement
First of all, thank you. Do you have a new letter informing us of new ideas and advice? Thank you.
Hello Marie Yvonne, we do have a newsletter! Every week, we send you new tips and recommendations. To subscribe, scroll down to the bottom of the page. A box asks you to enter your email address, then all you have to do is check the box “I am not a robot” before clicking on “Subscribe”.
Very difficult to find a cottage on the Mediterranean coast, I continue to look. Happy holidays to you and all our little ones.
Hello Dominique, I invite you to consult this page 😉
https://emmenetonchien.com/gite-location-qualidog-chien-animaux-admis/
I just came across your site and I think what you do is great. It has become so complicated to go on holiday with your pet... I think I will use your site a lot from now on for my holidays and leisure activities with my dog. Well done for what you do 🙂
Thank you to all the humans who think of us in these lovely articles 🐕🦺🐕🐾