Traveling with a dog in France: Our experiences in Nancy and Metz
France with a dog? We went to Nancy and Metz in the Lorraine region – and we can say:
A visit with your four-legged friend is definitely worthwhile! We gathered many wonderful impressions and felt very welcome with our dogs.
Dog-friendly accommodations and relaxed restaurant visits
What particularly surprised us was the wide selection of accommodations that welcome dogs. Many hotels and other accommodations can easily be booked with a dog. Of course, it's worth checking the specific conditions beforehand, but overall, we got the impression that dogs are very welcome in the region.
Even eating out was hardly a problem. Our dogs were allowed to accompany us to restaurants, and they were even welcome in bakeries. We were especially pleased about that, because anyone who travels with a dog knows that this isn't always the case.
Overall, many people were very friendly. We were often greeted with smiles, the dogs were given attentive looks, and sometimes we had little encounters where it was clear that dogs are very welcome here. We also particularly appreciated that many people made an effort to speak English with us. Even though communication wasn't always easy, it made us feel very comfortable.
Nancy and Metz: Beautiful parks for walks with your dog
Besides the cities themselves, we especially enjoyed the green spaces. Both Nancy and Metz offer beautiful parks and gardens where you can walk your dogs.
The gardens and green spaces around churches are particularly worth seeing and offer a perfect place to take a break during a stroll through the city. This makes it easy to combine sightseeing with a walk, without the dogs having to constantly be on busy streets.
Nancy also has a park with a petting zoo, which is well worth a visit. Of course, the same rules apply here: be considerate and keep dogs on a leash. Generally, dogs should remain on a leash in public parks unless otherwise indicated.
Important: Observe the French rules regarding dog ownership!
As dog-friendly as we found France to be, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the local regulations before traveling. Certain dog breeds are subject to specific rules in France.
Certain dogs must wear a muzzle and meet other requirements. Very strict regulations apply to so-called Category 1 dogs – which include certain dogs classified as particularly dangerous and crossbreeds. Their import into France is generally prohibited. Category 2 dogs are also subject to special regulations, for example, regarding keeping, registration, and the muzzle requirement in certain situations.
It's important to understand that the common name of a breed isn't the only deciding factor. The French classification and the dog's ancestry can also play a role. Therefore, be sure to find out well in advance of your trip whether your dog is allowed to enter the country and what documents or safety measures are required.
The usual travel requirements such as microchip, valid rabies vaccination and EU pet passport should of course also be met.
Our conclusion
Nancy and Metz are fantastic destinations for traveling with a dog! Numerous dog-friendly accommodations, relaxed restaurants, friendly people, and beautiful parks make for a particularly pleasant stay. We felt very welcome with our four-legged friends and can definitely recommend both cities for a city break with your dog.