Dog-friendly gîtes in France that are close to the beach
Sawday's Expert
5 min read
France’s vast beaches, brilliant markets, and endless coastal paths make it an ideal destination for a dog-friendly break. Dip into rock pools, chase waves, and sniff out picnics filled with local meats and cheeses. Once you’re ready to shake the salt off, return home to your seaside gîte to end the day with a glass of local wine on the terrace as the sun comes down. We've collected some of our most charming gîte stays, close to the beach in France, for a relaxing break with your dog.
Penty de Lantecoste, Fouesnant, Finistère
With its own fenced in garden, you’ll find it easy entertaining yourselves, guests and even the dog – without worry. Close to the beautiful swimming cove of Bot Conan, there’s plenty to keep family entertained, and even a little sailing for yourselves if you’re so inclined. A semi-circular little bay, it glistens through the green-blue-turquoise spectrum, and offers shade by the waterside if you want to perch and watch your dog have the time of its life. For a little stretch of the legs, head up and down the coastline, spotting picture perfect scene to the next, with your four-legged friend running circles around you all afternoon.
Villa Germiny, Locquirec, Finistère
‘Picturesque’ pales in comparison to the reality. Villa Germiny is set above the Breton Sea overlooking the Sables Blancs beach, a five-minute walk. Here Breton is represented most aptly by the garden – a mixture of huge old cypresses and pines dotting the space and roses and lilies growing at their feet. You could rest awhile there, dog sun dazed by your lap, or bounding into the ocean spray when the beach is at low tide. Take an afternoon to stroll the length of this peninsula, taking your dog for a tour of the coast, and you may well end up their favourite human – especially if you take them to the many local markets – and home for a dinner of fresh fish and local produce.
Kervihan, Plonevez du Faou, Finistère
Though from the outside Kervihan appears quintessentially rustic French gîte – with its rhododendrons growing in abundance as they’re want to do in Northern France, the interior, however, is fringed with modern delights. Once a merchant’s house, it’s remote, but not isolated, close to a bakery in walking distance (no need to whip out your patisserie skills every morning), and even better, a 20-minute drive to the Crozon peninsula. Spend a day, perhaps even two, crunching pine needles underfoot exploring the coastline with your dog, enjoying the colour contrast of emerald pine, sky blue and coastline jade – stopping only for water bowls, or glasses of local wine.
Charming House La Couarde-sur-Mer, Charente-Maritime
A hop, skip and a jump from La Rochelle, you won’t spend a second wondering why the French built on this little island. Barely a 10-minute stroll from one of the loveliest beaches, Plage des Anneries, you may weigh up never coming back. With enough coastline to melt into the horizon in both directions, you and your dog can spend as much or as little time exploring the coast as you like, seeing who tires of its endless views first. Heading back, you’ll return to a huge outside terrace, where you may well have enjoyed your morning coffee in the shade of the roof and surrounding pine. Alternatively, spend the evening cooking on the BBQ, and keeping a watchful eye on canine thieves.
Quiberon House, Saint Pierre Quiberon, Morbihan
There’s a clever trick to this gîte, a kind of magic. Set off from the front door, and no matter the direction you pick, you’ll have gone the right way. The Quiberon Peninsula offers 30km of coastline, long white sandy beaches, and idyllic architecture at every turn. Though you may be satisfied seeing the sea from the gîte – your dog may demand a go churning those white sands underfoot, and exploring the salty fresh air pouring in from the sea. Take your four-legged friend for a tour, stop off at the many local markets, perhaps even knock back an oyster as fresh as it gets, and take your small friend home to grill the catch of the day.
La Chartreuse, Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq, Landes
If 20 minutes from the coast is too far, perhaps a rather picturesque pool would do? La Chartreuse sits in the south of France, not far from Basque country, and the large grounds that encircle it beg exploring with your dog. Should your four-legged friend yearn to see the coast, take the short drive, and explore the Plage d’Ondres – with its epic stretch of golden sand backed with verdant hills sprawling back into the countryside. Your hosts, Kate and Ben are both trained chefs, and could cater to you from the wealth of food growing onsite, but you might want to tour the locale for all the bakeries, markets and wealth of restaurants nearby.
Mas Saint Martin, Ollioules, Var
Just three kilometres from the sea, in the heart of Bandol wine country, the house overlooks wooded hillsides and the organic vineyards of Terrebrune. Daytime can be spent book in hand in the light pouring in from the large windows, transitioning from stylish interior, to stunning outdoor space, lounging by the pool with your dog happily belly up in the sun. You’ll love popping to Ollioules, a short drive away, touring the shops, markets for the evenings feast, and the artist’s studios or popping to the farm shop for the Thursday market. Should you want to tucker out an energetic dog, explore the Six-Fours-les-Plages, and let them run wild on the many beaches it offers.
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Jem Brownlee
Sawday's Expert
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