Paris is a surprisingly good city to visit with a dog. Dogs are welcome on many café terraces and in plenty of restaurants, shops and hotels, and you will see Parisians walking their dogs everywhere. The best things to do in Paris with a dog are walking in the city’s dog-friendly parks and the big woods of Boulogne and Vincennes, exploring lively streets and canals, eating on a café terrace, and taking a day trip to the park at Versailles.

There are rules to know, though: dogs must be on a leash in public, they are not allowed on lawns in most parks, and only some transport is open to bigger dogs. Here is how to make the most of Paris with your four-legged companion.

Know the Basic Rules

• Leash: dogs must be kept on a leash in public spaces, except in designated off-leash areas.
• Pick up after your dog: it is required, and the City of Paris can fine owners who do not (the fine is 135 euros). Always carry bags.
• Parks: around 165 Paris parks and gardens allow leashed dogs on the paths, but not on lawns or in flower beds. Dogs are not allowed in cemeteries, except assistance dogs.
• Off-leash areas: the city has dozens of fenced or marked “espaces canins” where dogs can run freely.
• Museums and monuments: pets are generally not allowed inside, except assistance dogs.

Getting Around Paris With a Dog

Public transport is an easy way to get around with a small dog. Under the rules published by RATP, small dogs can travel free on the metro, RER, buses, trams and the Montmartre funicular if they are carried in a bag or basket no larger than 45 cm.

Larger dogs are allowed only on the metro and RER, and they must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. They are not allowed on buses or trams. Guide and assistance dogs can travel on the whole network free of charge. Rules can change, so check the RATP website before your trip.

Taxis and ride-hailing drivers may accept dogs at their discretion, sometimes for a small supplement, so mention your dog when booking.

Walk in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, with steep green hills, a lake, a waterfall in a grotto and a little temple perched on a rocky cliff. Leashed dogs are welcome on the paths, and the park is popular with local dog owners. Like other city parks, it closes at night, with hours that vary by season.

For more green spaces, see our guides to the best pet-friendly parks in Paris and where to walk your dog in Paris.

Visit the Luxembourg Gardens

The Jardin du Luxembourg is the largest garden on the Left Bank and one of the most loved in the city. It is managed by the French Senate rather than the city, and dogs are only allowed in a designated part of the garden, on a leash. Follow the signs at the gates. Even so, a stroll past the palace and the Medici Fountain with your dog makes for a lovely morning.

Explore the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes

These two huge woods on the western and eastern edges of Paris are the best places in the city for a long walk with a dog. The Bois de Boulogne borders the 16th arrondissement, with lakes, wooded trails and the Longchamp area. The Bois de Vincennes lies next to the 12th, with lakes, paths and the medieval Château de Vincennes nearby.

Both woods have large off-leash areas of more than one hectare where dogs can run freely; maps are available on the City of Paris website. Outside those areas, keep your dog on a leash.

Enjoy the View From the Champ de Mars

The Champ de Mars, the long park that stretches from the Eiffel Tower to the École Militaire, is a classic place to walk with a dog. Stick to the paths, as dogs are not allowed on the lawns, and enjoy one of the best views of the tower.

Stroll the Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine

The tree-lined Canal Saint-Martin, with its iron footbridges and locks, is a pleasant walk for you and your dog, with plenty of cafés and bakeries nearby for a picnic. The pedestrianized quays along the Seine are also popular for dog walks, especially in the early morning before the crowds arrive.

Eat on a Café Terrace

One of the joys of Paris with a dog is that many cafés and restaurants accept well-behaved dogs, especially on the terrace and often inside too. It is up to each establishment, so ask before you sit down. Staff will often bring a bowl of water.

Pedestrian market streets such as Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement are great for this: you can wander past bakeries, cheese shops and cafés, then settle on a terrace with your dog at your feet.

Visit the Park of the Palace of Versailles

A trip to Versailles is possible with a dog, with some limits. Dogs are not allowed inside the palace or in the formal gardens closest to the château, but leashed dogs can enjoy the vast park, including the walks around the Grand Canal. It is a great day out, especially in spring and autumn. Plan your visit with our guide to things to do in Versailles.

Stay in a Dog-Friendly Hotel

Many Paris hotels welcome dogs, from simple guesthouses to palace hotels. Policies vary: some charge a nightly fee, some limit the size or number of pets, and some allow dogs only in certain rooms. Always confirm before you book.

L’Hôtel

L’Hôtel, a small, ornately decorated boutique hotel on Rue des Beaux-Arts in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement), is known for welcoming pets. Its central location puts you within walking distance of the Seine, the Louvre and the Luxembourg Gardens. Check its current pet policy when booking.

Hôtel de Crillon

The Hôtel de Crillon on Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement is one of the grandest hotels in Paris, and it is known for pampering four-legged guests with amenities such as dog beds and bowls. Ask about pet fees and which rooms accept dogs.

For more options, see our list of the best pet-friendly hotels in Paris. If you rent an apartment instead, check the listing’s pet rules carefully, as many hosts do not accept animals.

Join a Blessing of the Animals

Several Paris parishes hold an annual blessing of animals, often around the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in early October. The famous services at the small Sainte-Rita chapel in the 15th arrondissement ended after the building was sold for redevelopment, but the Diocese of Paris publishes the dates and places of current blessings. It is a charming, very local experience if your trip coincides.

Summary

Paris is very manageable with a dog. Keep your dog leashed, pick up after it, and stay off the lawns, and you will be welcome in many parks, on café terraces and in plenty of hotels. Highlights include Buttes-Chaumont, the off-leash areas of the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, walks along the Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine, and a day in the park at Versailles. Small dogs in a bag can go on all public transport, while bigger dogs need a muzzle and can use the metro and RER only.