France has one of the highest pet ownership rates in Europe, with millions of companion animals sharing homes with French families. Hence, it is no surprise that it is widely regarded as one of the most pet-friendly countries in the world. Cafés here welcome dogs without hesitation, and most brasseries provide water bowls. You could even board a regional train with your cat as casually as you might carry a handbag.
However, travelling with a pet to a French holiday rental is an altogether different affair, one that requires you to navigate a specific legal framework. The policies are sometimes laid out in ways that catch even the most well-travelled guests off guard.
You could be eyeing a pet-friendly chalet in France, planted in the Courchevel peaks, or could have finalised a sunlit villa in Saint-Tropez. Either way, knowing the legal lay of the land before you arrive could save you from a surprising conversation at the door.
What French Law Says About Holiday Rentals & Pets
There is a common misreading of French rental law among travellers. Under the long-standing Loi 70-598 of 1970, landlords of long-term residential properties cannot void a tenant’s right to keep companion animals. Holiday rentals, on the other hand, are a different category entirely.
Owners of short-term furnished holiday accommodation retain the legal right to refuse pets in their rental agreements. These will be set out in the rental contract and vary by property.
Read the rental contract carefully before you sign anything. Many listings will state “Animaux autorisés” (pets allowed) or “Animaux interdits” (no pets are allowed) upfront. Ask about pet deposits/cleaning fees and whether there are size or number limits.
Breed Restrictions & Guest Liability
Even within a property that welcomes pets, certain breeds face additional scrutiny under French law. For example, the country classifies dogs into two categories.
- Category 1 dogs – Those resembling pit bull types and Tosas (without pedigree) are completely banned from import into France. Attempting to bring one across the border risks a fine and the animal being held.
- Category 2 dogs – Pedigreed American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, and Tosas may enter France but require a thorough verification of the pet’s identity and health documents. In all public spaces, they must be muzzled and leashed.
Holiday rental properties in France have the right to prohibit Category 1 & 2 breeds explicitly.
Apart from breed considerations, guests are fully liable for any pet-caused damage, which may be deducted from the security deposit.
French law also holds pet owners responsible for noise disturbances caused by their animals. Under the French public health code, any sound that is detrimental to neighbourhood tranquillity by virtue of its duration, repetition or intensity is regarded as a legal nuisance and can result in fines.
The Finest Pet-Friendly Stay at ONE Hôtel Privé
Pets are not an afterthought to the people who travel with them, and the best properties acknowledge that instinctively. ONE Hôtel Privé’s pet-friendly chalets in France, Le Coquelicot in Nogentil and Le Blanchot in Bellecôte, both in Courchevel 1850, reflect that understanding in the details.
El coquelicot forest-adjacent outdoor spaces and Le Blanchot’s secure alpine grounds welcome four-legged guests as warmly as their owners.
The concierge has the rest covered, at every point of the stay. We take the complexities of a pet-accompanied trip off your plate entirely, so the only thing left to plan is how to enjoy the mountains.
Speak to the ONE Hôtel Privé team and reserve your stay today.
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