Discover Franche Comté and the Jura with your dog
What are the must-see places to discover with your dog in Franche Comté? What activities to do with your dog? The answers to these questions thanks to the testimony of Elodie and her two dogs!
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Summer and winter alike, Franche-Comté is a region that I adore… Quite simply, it's a holiday destination that has it all! While looking for information on this beautiful region, I was able to meet 3 amazing Franche-Comtois: Marty, Pheiko and Elodie. The 3 inseparable are lovers of their region and I want to believe them!
In this new article, they introduce us to Franche-Comté, the Jura, their favorite sports activities: cani-trail, cani-canoe, ski-joering, cani-rando ect, the unmissable things in the region and of course dog-friendly accommodation. friendly. A real mine of information that will be very useful during your next getaway in the region.
Follow your guides to discover the little dog-friendly marvels that abound in Franche-Comté…
Elodie and her two dogs, an explosive trio!
My dog Marty is a 3-year-old Border Collie . Our relationship was built through canicross ; it was by starting this sport that we got to know each other inside and out. Marty is a very people-oriented dog, especially at home. His favorite thing? Getting his belly rubbed while he's showing off. Canicross is "his job" for Marty. He's a Border Collie, but he doesn't work with livestock because I haven't wanted him to do that yet, so he needed an activity he enjoyed, that would allow him to burn off energy and work as a team with me. Canicross captivated me; running with my dog was the turning point, love at first sight for us! We even recently joined a club so we can compete.
And guess what?! Since August, Pheiko, a 5-month-old Yakutian Laika, has joined our duo, much to our delight! Pheiko is very talkative; he's a puppy with a strong personality, but he's also very affectionate and attentive. In fact, it was his mischievous look that made us fall in love with him when we adopted him from the breeder. Our meeting there was meant to be; this big guy just jumped on me! Since Pheiko has been with us, he's already had his first cani-canoeing adventure , gone on hikes (part of the way in our arms or in a dog backpack ), and is used to the wheels of our scooter and bicycles. In short, he's arrived in our world, and he seems to absolutely love it! Now, my daily life and my holidays are unthinkable without my two dogs!
As for me, my name is Élodie, I'm 20 years old, and I've always lived in Franche-Comté . After obtaining my BTS (Advanced Vocational Diploma) in Nature Management and Protection through distance learning, I'm training to become a dog trainer and behaviorist. I'd also like to offer introductory sessions and coaching in canine sports. In short, a great program ahead!
Wild spaces are clearly the places where I feel the best, which is why the forest, the lakes, the mountains are my favorite playgrounds. The moments that the three of us live are always strong. Every moment is a little adventure and, with my dogs, I let go completely. They are always ready for everything, educational outings in the city, outings in the rain, in the snow, at the lake, in the mud, in the sun, they never say no. They are the opposite of "couch dogs" and that's what I love! They motivate me and allow me to surpass myself on a daily basis 🙂
Activities to do with your dog in Franche-Comté
As you can see, we're a trio with lots of itchy feet, and we're lucky enough to live in a region with diverse natural environments and plenty of sporting activities for my dogs and me! To enjoy all these activities, we first had to get equipped. So I looked into the gear suitable for canine sports. We bought a harness for me, a pulling harness for Marty, a 2m shock-absorbing leash for canicross and canihiking, a 2,5m shock-absorbing leash for bikejoring and scooterjoring, and a 2,8m shock-absorbing leash for skijoring , bikejoring, and scooterjoring, which we'll be doing this winter.
I get away with my dogs as often as possible, and we usually try to do lots of activities on the weekend, especially day trips. I love varying the activities I do with them. We've already tried cani-hiking , cani-scootering, cani- mountain biking , kayaking , cani-snowshoeing , and soon we'll be trying cani-skating … we're never bored! I also really enjoy going camping with my dogs in the Haut-Jura or the Haut-Doubs.
If you're wondering why you should take your dog on holiday to Franche-Comté, I'd say it's because it's a region full of life, nature, and beautiful scenery. Plus, it's a friendly region where dogs are welcome almost everywhere! However, please note that dogs are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve , even on a leash! To hike peacefully with your dog and respect the local flora and fauna, it's important to know where to hike with your dog in the mountains.
👋 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
Franche Comté through the seasons
The advantage of living in Franche-Comté with your dog is that you can practice different activities all year round. Franche-Comté is pleasant whatever the season, the landscapes are rich (plains, mid-mountains, vineyards, etc.), it's a feast for the eyes!
Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for canicross, bikejoring, scooterjoring, and hiking with your dog. The temperatures aren't too high, so dogs aren't at risk of heatstroke . The rivers are full, the sun warms our faces, and the region is beautiful. It's adorned with vibrant colors, the birds are singing, and we feel at one with nature.
During the summer in Franche-Comté with your dog, it's the perfect time to put on your swimsuit, get out the kayak, go cani-canoeing, and try cani-paddleboarding ! For water activities you do with your dog, it's important to equip them with a dog life jacket ; Marty even has his! Given the number of lakes in the region, you're sure to find one where you want to paddle or simply swim with your dog!
And finally, our favorite season: winter! The return of the cold, the return of the dogs' fur, the return of the long-awaited snow… So far, the only activities we've been able to do are snowshoeing with our dogs and snowshoeing with our dogs. Snowshoeing with our dogs is a canicross race, but on a groomed, snow-covered track. This year promises to be full of new experiences, as we've invested in a snow scooter ! We're also planning to try skijoring with our dog! When you want to do these kinds of activities, you have to choose your resort carefully, as some don't allow dogs on their slopes. For those that do allow dogs, it's important to be cautious, as it's not uncommon for the slopes to also be open to professional mushers, so you have to be careful of sleds and other dogs working at the resort.
Musher and Sophie: “ Élodie is absolutely right. When on a winter sports holiday, it's important to ensure your safety and, of course, your dog's. In addition to ensuring your safety on the ski slopes, it's important to equip your dog properly and protect them from the cold. When I go to the snow with Musher, I never know what the weather and temperatures will be like. So, I prefer to prepare some gear in anticipation of the harsh weather we might encounter at altitude! Okay, that was an easy one 🙂
In my dog's suitcase I always prepare:
Her dog coat , when she is inactive, in the car on the way back from a hike for example
I protect her paw pads with Solipat to counteract the effects of the cold.
His dog booties . They're useful in very cold weather or simply if I see that his paw pads are damaged by snow or ice.
His dog raincoat is perfect for when the snow is really too wet (at the end of the season, for example). A dog raincoat serves a dual purpose: it protects your dog from dampness and rain, and at the same time, it prevents you from having to deal with unpleasant wet dog smells when you get home 😉
In case my dog comes home completely soaked from her snowy outings, I always keep an ultra-absorbent microfiber towel and a small can of dry shampoo for dogs on hand . It's very effective at getting rid of bad odors without having to clog the hotel bathtub with dog hair!
The must-see places to discover in Franche Comté with your dog
We have lots of little favorite places in Franche-Comté with my dogs,
Lake Vouglans in the Jura where dogs are very well tolerated and where it is possible to find wilder and quieter beaches.
The Source of the Loue in the Doubs : a place little frequented outside the summer season
Mont Poupet , which can be accessed via several hiking trails and which offers a view of Mont Blanc on a clear day,
The "La Pesse" ski resort where dogs are allowed on many slopes!
Dog-friendly addresses to discover in Franche Comté
At the level of dog-friendly addresses that I know, I can quote you:
The Gîte Le Closet in Fertans , which accepts dogs
The Bagelstein in Besançon welcomed us, a friend, and our two dogs inside! It's ideal for a "quick" and healthy meal!
The Auberge du Fer à cheval in Arbois where we had gone after a hike to the Cirque du Fer à cheval to eat an ice cream on the terrace with Marty.
Are you looking for QUALIDOG-certified accommodation for a holiday in Franche Comté with your dog? QUALIDOG-certified accommodation ensures a warm welcome for dogs. Indeed, dogs are not just allowed but they are welcome! Here is a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Franche Comté!
The advice I would give to a family who wants to make the most of the region with their dog is to choose a season and try out as many activities as possible during that season! Whatever the season, do not hesitate to discover the landscape and therefore to drive a little to see as many things as possible. Indeed, between the departments of Doubs and Jura, you will be served in terms of diversity of landscapes and magical places accessible to our dogs!
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A big thank you to Marty, Pheïko and Élodie for this guided tour of Jura and Franche-Comté with their dog! As she told us so well, this trio is on the move! Is not it ?
And you, are you tempted by one of the activities mentioned by Élodie and her dogs?
To discover many other activities to do with your dog, I invite you to read: The top 5 winter sliding sports to try with your dog & The top 10 traction sports to try with your dog and to discover the Jura with your dog by reading: Holidays in the Jura with your dog & Going on holiday in the Jura mountains with your dog.
