Running wild in dog-friendly gîtes

Gîtes de Sevenne, Lot-et-Garonne

A gorgeous place for a family escape, with fruit trees for picking, a big garden to run around, a pool, a pond with ducks, a trampoline and even a mini treehouse to hide in. It’s a non-stop adventure from the moment you arrive. The fact that it’s also dog-friendly just makes it perfect for everyone.  

Inside, there’s the charming mix of space and rustic style that makes a classic gîte so welcoming and gives it that sense of timeless peace. There are games and owner Sandie’s silk painting workshops to keep you busy on site, while nearby there are water parks, horse riding trails and delicious tours of wine country.   

View place >

Old Presbytery Guest House, Dordogne

With vineyards and plum orchards all around, this ancient presbytery has the kind of calm, sun-drenched setting that makes you instantly relax, and it’s just as welcoming for dogs as it is for people. There’s space to roam, gentle trails from the door, and plenty of shady spots for a snooze after a countryside walk.

Life here drifts by at an easy pace. Start your mornings with homemade granola, orchard jam and warm bread on the terrace, then dip into the resistance pool or wander down to the Dordogne River. Evenings might mean wood-fired pizza with a glass of wine from the presbytery’s own cave, or simply watching the sun set across the valley. It’s peaceful, adults only, and perfectly set up for a restorative break with your four-legged friend.

View place >

Kergudon Gîtes 

This is everything we love about French gîtes – unfailingly generous hosts whose personality shines through even though you’re self catering, a remote feel with cottages waiting at the end of a long drive and that inimitable blend of the historic and contemporary that epitomises French rural style. There are beautiful beaches, long stretches of the Velo Vert to glide down and everything from creperies to fabulous restaurants to give you a taste of Breton cuisine. The village even has a dog-friendly pub, so you’ve all got somewhere to stretch out and relax after a day of exploring. 

View place >

Château & Gites de Carsac

It’s all about food and drink here, with the old wine château flanked by two working vineyards, who both donate a bottle to the welcome hamper (alongside beer, cake, pâté, crisps and sweets), giving you the arduous task of judging between them. There are treats for the dog too, so they won’t feel left out and everyone will be well fuelled to explore the grounds and the orchards, or venture further afield, perthaps to St Emilion, Lac de Gurson for a paddle, or even into chic Bordeaux to visit foodie heaven (if you’re still not full!) at the Marché du Capucins. 

View place >

Rural Gîtes – Chadenne

Despite the name, this is more like the traditional humble gîte’s sophisticated cousin, with an air of luxury in the contemporary flashes of décor and the broad sweep of the pool area. It’s also in an unusually quiet part of the Dordogne, away from the crowds but close enough to the hotspots if you want to drop in. The focus, however, is on relaxation and exploration, with local mountain bike hire allowing you to take on the hills and gentler ambling available in the Foret de La Double, which bustles with wildlife. At night, the quietness of the area means you can sit back and listen for owls as the stars put on a show. 

View place >

Vive la France

This article is part of Vive la France, the home of inspiring itineraries and stories from travel writers and our team, to help you plan your next French adventure.

See more here.

Written by
Chris Elmes

Chris is our copywriter, who spins enticing articles out of rough notes and travel tales. Having grown up in rural Wiltshire with only cats, he defected to Team Dog and now roams the countryside with Porth, a gorgeous spaniel named after a Welsh town in what he considers to be a joke. They love disappearing into the hills and coming back hungry for a good pub meal, although Porth has not been convinced to follow Chris into vegetarianism.