They say “a dog is a man’s best friend”, and if you own a pooch you’ll almost certainly agree. At Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, we know how important your dog is to you, which is why we’ve worked hard to make sure our pet travel service is the best around. In fact, more than 1 million (and counting) happy pets have travelled with us so far! As well as making sure you have a great journey, we want to help you have the holiday of a lifetime. We’ve selected a few of our top dog-friendly eateries around France, so you can enjoy dining out with your pooch this autumn.
Where is it: Le Havre, Upper Normandy
Le Havre is one of northern France’s biggest ports, and it’s less than a three-hour drive from Calais. Here is where you’ll find La Voile Bleue, a pooch-friendly brasserie which serves up delicious French cuisine. The majority of the menu is seafood, which makes sense when you consider its location, with a few other dishes thrown in for good measure. We recommend starting your meal with a dozen of Normandy’s finest oysters, followed by a seafood platter, or a juicy steak, and a chocolate fondant for dessert.
Try oysters in Normandy. © Flickr Lachlan Hardy
Where is it: 11th arrondissement, Paris
Paris, of course, is full of amazing places to eat. From fine-dining restaurants to family-run brasseries, Paris has something to suit every diner, every meal and every mood. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the Café de l'Industrie is a great spot to tuck in. Take a seat at the dog-friendly outdoor tables and take your pick from the mouth-wateringly good menu. Café (coffee) is a must, as are croissants and other French pastries. For something more substantial, choose eggs and smoked salmon. Délicieux!
Indulge in a French favourite: buttery croissants. © Flickr user Cafeterías Nebraskay
Where is it: Locronan, Brittany
The crêpe is one of our favourite French dishes, and we’re not the only ones! These thin pancakes are now eaten all over the world, with all kinds of toppings, but nowhere are they more delicious than in France. Located in pretty Locronan, Brittany, Crêperie du Temps Passé serves a whole range of crêpes, from the sublimely simple to the creatively complex, and it’s dog-friendly, too! It’s best to turn up with a big appetite, so you can try both savoury and sweet.
Enjoy sweet and savoury at crêpes at Crêperie du Temps Passé. © Flickr user Flavio Ensiki
Where is it: Soulages-Bonneval, Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
The Auberge du Moulin hotel-restaurant can be found in the South of France and it’s well worth the drive. You and your pooch will be welcomed with open arms for a delicious meal of classic French fare. One of our favourite items on the menu is a regional classic: beef served with mashed potatoes. Although it sounds simple, it’s far from it. The beef comes from Fleur d'Aubrac cows (cows who are pure-bred from an Aubrac cow and a Charolais bull), and the mashed potatoes are blended with cheese and a little garlic – well worth the drive!
Beef and cheesy mashed potatoes is an Aubrac classic. © Flickr user Jason James
Enjoy France with your dog
You can travel from Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. From there, you can start exploring.