Alpine holidays with dogs
If you love your holidays but always feel sad at the prospect of leaving behind your four-legged friend, then a summer holiday to the French Alps is the answer!
A change of scenery, plenty of space, breathtaking vistas, deep-blue lakes and stunning mountain walks make for dog (and owner!) heaven.
Summer holiday accommodation for dogs
Peak Retreats features a number of chalets and apartments in the French Alps during the summer that welcome well-behaved dogs. Please see individual summer accommodation pages for pricing. Almost all our accommodations will allow pets for a cost. Some may only allow one pet, however.
If you can not see what you are looking for, please call our team on 023 9283 9310 and they will be happy to advise.
Travelling with dogs - your transport options
DFDS - as part of the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), they provide safe transportation for your pets onboard their ferries. On the Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk ferry crossings, pet bookings must be made in advance of travel and there is a charge per pet each way. Pets must remain secured inside your vehicle for the duration of the journey. However, you can visit your pet in your car during the crossing if accompanied by a crew member.
Eurotunnel LeShuttle - if you are travelling to France with a dog, going with LeShuttle means you can all stay together for the short 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais. Facilities are available in both Folkestone and Calais to enable 24-hour pet check-in. Pets can travel for a cost per pet each way (applicable for dogs, cats & ferrets). DEFRA Pet Travel Documentation is required. Registered Guide and Assistance Dogs travel free*.
Brittany Ferries - there are three options for travelling with your pet on our ferries, depending on which ship and route you are travelling on. They can either travel in a pet-friendly cabin (where your pet can stay with you during the sailing), in onboard kennels or in your vehicle. On ships where there are no kennels or pet-friendly cabins your pet must remain in your vehicle. Your dog must wear a muzzle in all areas of the ship when outside of your vehicle or the kennel/pet-friendly cabin. Make sure you have familiarised your dog with the muzzle. If your pet is staying in your vehicle, any visit to check on them must also be arranged with the crew as the car decks are locked once the ship sets sail.
P&O - there is a cost per pet each way to travel on the Dover to Calais route, with registered Guide and Hearing Dogs travelling free of charge. All pets must stay in the vehicle during the trip, unless travelling in our Pet Lounge - for dogs only. The Pet Lounge is a dog friendly area where you and your dog can relax for a calm and stress free journey. Both you and your pet can enjoy your own space, complimentary refreshments and treats on board together. We also have an exercise area on the outside deck. You can upgrade to the Pet Lounge when placing your booking.
Please call our team on 023 9283 9310 for current pricing.
Taking your dog in and out of the UK
- Since 1/1/21, you need an Animal Healthcare Certificate for your dog to travel within the EU (current EU pet passports issued in GB will no longer be valid). This may take a month to arrange. You can find out more about how to apply for these here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021
- To travel between the UK and France your dog must be microchipped, have had a rabies vaccination, and a tapeworm treatment.
- Your dog should have a microchip that meets the ISO standards. You may have to bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.
- Your dog must have had a valid vaccination against rabies (whether first or a booster) 21 days before travelling, and your dog must be at least 12 weeks old at time of vaccination).
- Your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet every time you want to travel to the UK, between 1 and 5 days before you're scheduled to arrive. Treatment date and time must be recorded in your pet's documentation. If you need to find a French vet, visit www.pagesjaunes.fr (type ‘Vétérinaire’ in Quoi or Qui box and your destination in France e.g Chamonix in the Où box. If you tick the ‘a coté de’ box you will find the vets near to your destination).
If you need further information, contact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline
pettravel@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 0370 241 1710