Blog 2 – the fun stuff!
In Part 1 of this blog, I told you all about the paperwork and vet trips needed to head to France with my two small dogs, Rico (a 7 year old Kokoni) and Maisy (a 9 year old Jack Russell cross Pug). In this blog I cover the dog friendly camp sites we stayed at on our trip along with some of my favourite places to eat and visit. Perhaps you could take your dogs to visit them too?
The main destination for our trip was Lake Annecy which is about 20 miles from Geneva, Switzerland. This is over 500 miles from Calais where we arrived on the Eurotunnel and after already having driven 300 miles to get to Calais from Cheshire, it was time to have a pit stop so the driver could rest, and the dogs could stretch their legs.
The first campsite was located a short journey from the tunnel in the grounds of a striking old chateau. All the caravan pitches were surrounded with beautiful trees and bushes with butterflies or should we say, Papillions, everywhere (that’s where the dogs get their name from as their ears are butterfly shaped). While the dogs snoozed in the evening sun, I hit the pool. Something you don’t find in many dog friendly caravan sites in the UK!
Swimming pool at site Chateau du Gandspette
In the morning it was time for another early start to head down to Lac Bleu the only dog friendly camp and caravan site on the edge of Lake Annecy that allows dogs to enter the lake directly from the camp site. All the other dog friendly sites sadly don’t have access to the water and when the temperature crept up to a high of 33 degrees centigrade despite it being early May, access to the water was very much needed.
This camp site is just phenomenal. It has not one, not two, but three swimming pools! Outdoor gym equipment and a wonderful dog friendly restaurant that serves freshly baked bread and croissants in the mornings. The evening meals are also wonderful, but it is very popular so make sure you book! The staff speak several languages and have fantastic English, so don’t worry if the last time you spoke French was for your GCSE exam many years ago. They can help you with anything you need.
One of the 3 swimming pools and water slides at Lac Bleu Camp Site
Lac Bleu is situated at the very end of Lake Annecy, in a place called Doussard, about a 25-minute drive from the main Annecy town. You don’t need to drive. All around the lake are cycle hire shops and stations. Most of which have the option of you hiring a trailer for your dogs to sit in while you cycle the 42km very well-maintained path around the lake. Don’t worry if you’re not much of a cycler, I’m not either, so I opted for an electric bike so it could do most of the work if needed. Alternatively you could walk stretches of the path and get the bus the rest of the way, just buy your dog a child ticket when you board.
I hired my bike from K2 Outdoor in Doussard, walking distance from the Lac Bleu campsite.
The town itself is also very dog friendly, with most shops including expensive clothes shops allowing dogs in. Very different to here in the UK.
Breakfast with a view at Glacier Artisanal Perriere one of the many dog friendly cafes in Annecy.
While in Annecy town it is worth heading to Le Freti to have the local cheese fondue or raclette, the speciality of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. Just prepare yourself to be in a cheese coma for the rest of the afternoon. I had eaten so much a dog walk was simply out of the question. If cheese isn’t your thing, then restaurant L’Etage has an incredible selection of steaks and local cuisine. As it is situated just away from the busy area near the water there’s plenty of space for your dog to lie next to your table in the shade.
Rico the Kokoni next to his pram while his human enjoyed Fondue at Le Freti!
An absolute must for anyone visiting the area is to head to a little town called Talloires. I have been fortunate enough to live in and visit many countries around the world including Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Sweden but I promise you that nothing you have seen is as beautiful as this hidden gem.
Rico the kokoni taking in the incredible view at Talloires.
The crystal-clear water of the lake is unspoilt by pollution or litter and has breath taking views of the surrounding mountains. Perhaps due to the fact there are bins and endless supplies of free poo bags dotted around the pathways. The location is hidden away and peaceful and the only thing to interrupt Rico from staring aimlessly at the water was a little lizard that shot across the path in front of him, which was very exciting!
Dogs are welcome in the nature reserve so long as they are kept on lead during bird breeding seasons, details of which are clearly given on notice boards at the entrance. If you’re feeling brave you can hire a paddle board or kayak to make the most of the aqua blue water.
View of Lake Annecy from Talloires Nature Reserve
In Talloires town there are some very high-end restaurants such as the Restaurant La Savoyarde and Auberge du Père Bise with Jean Sulpice, a two Michelin Star chef.
You may be surprised, as I was, to hear that at least one of these, the Abbaye de Talloires is dog friendly!
View of the dog friendly terrace at Abbaye de Talloires
If you book in advance and let the team know they will be able to situate you in the outdoor seating area, the terrace, and with the view that’s where I would recommend you go anyway!
They will treat both you and your dog like royalty. Providing endless bowls of water, and repositioning the parasol to ensure your dog remains in the shade while you work your way through the best 10 courses you have ever had (you did read that right…. 10 courses).
Maisy the jack Russell cross pug enjoying the shade during the meal.
Given Rico was a stray roaming the streets of Portugal when Rachel rescued him, he really was living his best life!
Rico the kokoni looking at the restaurant
If fancy restaurants and having to dress up isn’t your thing, then head to an adorable little café just up from the beach area of Talloires. The friendly staff will fuss your dogs while you enjoy your ice cream or cake!
There is a whole lot more to do on your trip than just eat! Being active is a huge part of life around the lake and you will see locals jogging, cycling and roller blading their way around.
Bike ride around the lake, or kayak across some of it with your dogs. If they are good swimmers perhaps, they can come for a paddle in the water with you! If you’re early risers then you may even be lucky enough to come across some wild pigs on your morning walks.
Maisy swimming back to the camp site at Lac Bleu
While you can go up into the mountains for some steeper walks, as Rico had recently been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and arthritis in his knees a hike was out of the question for the group on this trip. If you do brave it, then I recommend that you ensure you have your tick remover at the ready and treat your dogs with repellent. Ticks are rife in the woods and on both trips to Annecy over the years both Rico and Maisy have had to have the pesky beasts removed. If you manage to forget your tick remover then don’t panic the local vets are more than willing to help or you can pop to the pet shop “Maxi zoo” in Annecy.
Some of the other more adventurous options to try on your trip may require your dog to stay on the ground and the humans to take the activities in turns. Dogs are still welcome to join in and if you book with K2 Parapente to try paragliding. They will allow your dog in the shop and van for transport, even if they can’t come and run off the end of a cliff with you. (Paragliding Annecy: take off with K2 Paragliding (k2parapente.com)
Rico may have been just a little confused as to why his human was in the air but it was certainly enriching for him watching humans dropping out of the sky for an hour until it was his mum’s turn!
Rachel paragliding with guide Patrique
Rico waiting for his human to come back from paragliding.
adventurous trip, then I recommend the Champagne region of France. If you like your food and Champagne then you may be glad to hear that several of the champagne houses will actually let your dog in to help you test the different vintages! Au 36 is a wonderful wine bar that will give your dog some snacks while you try a flight of 3 different local champagnes. Pick your favourite and then head to their Champagne house! Rico and Maisy seemed quite grateful for the aircon in the Tribaut house that their human’s picked for further investigation!
Troyes architecture
Near Troyes (a town with incredible architecture that reminded me of York), this is another dog friendly campsite with a great on site bar and restaurant just a short walk from another stunning lake.
Rico in Lac Orient
Be warned though! If you want to leave early to drive to Calais to get the tunnel back, you can’t leave that particular campsite before 7am as the gates are locked and staff are not available to open them which scuppered our plans just a little as we were going to leave at 4am! Ending the trip parked up in a car park may not have been exactly as planned but one thing is for sure, dogs do not need to miss out on holidays anymore!
Have you had a dog friendly trip away?
I’d love to hear all about it! So let me know in the comments.