A Dog-Friendly Road Trip: France & Belgium

Getting There: Dover to Calais by Ferry

Our adventure didn’t start quite as smoothly as planned. A very inconvenient road closure meant what should have been a straightforward journey turned into an epic five and a half hours on the road to Dover. Unsurprisingly, we missed our original ferry. Thankfully, we were able to get on the next sailing without any issue.

It was our first time travelling by ferry, and we sailed on the P&O Pioneer. We had previously used the Eurotunnel, so I was keen to see how the ferry compared.

Check in at Dover was quick and easy. Once we had parked the car onboard, we were free to wander the ship. We had booked access to the pet lounge, which costs a little extra but otherwise Stitch would have had to stay in the car. It is a calm, comfortable space where dogs are welcome, and drinks are included.

The rest of the ship was equally impressive, with plenty of food and drink options, duty-free shopping and lots of little corners where you could sit back, relax and enjoy the sea views. The crossing took around an hour and a half.

Having now tried both, I would say the tunnel is ideal if you simply want to get from A to B as fast as possible. If you’d like more of an “experience” to start and finish your trip, the ferry wins. It was also a fair bit cheaper than the tunnel for us.

First Stop: Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

From Calais, our first destination was Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, a chic French seaside town that can be reached in roughly an hour from the port. We opted for the scenic coastal route rather than the quickest motorway option. It added a little time to the journey but rewarded us with lovely sea views and the chance to pass through other coastal holiday spots.

A Morning on the Beach

Le Touquet’s beach is spectacular: long, wide and beautifully sandy. We headed down early before the heat of the day. Dogs are allowed at either end of the beach, but not in the central section, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re visiting with pets.

We strolled along the seafront, then looped back through the sand dunes, which offered a slightly wilder, more sheltered route back.

A Small Packing Mishap

Back at the hotel, I had one of those heart-sinking holiday moments: I realised I had packed our US plug adapters instead of European ones. Cue a mild panic. After breakfast we spent most of the morning going from shop to shop in search of a solution, before finally finding a USB wall plug. Panic over, trip saved.

Wandering Le Touquet

The rest of the day was spent gently wandering the town’s narrow streets, browsing the boutiques, and stopping occasionally for a cool drink in the shade.

We stayed at Hotel Les Embruns. It is not one for those seeking five-star luxury, but if you want somewhere clean, comfortable, dog-friendly and central, it ticks all the boxes.

Le Touquet itself feels like something from a storybook, with fairy-tale architecture, rows of traditional restaurants and bars, and a lovely, relaxed, authentically French atmosphere.

Prices were very reasonable too. Wine lovers can enjoy a glass of Chablis for around 6 euros or Whispering Angel for about 7 euros while soaking up the sunshine.

Onwards to Normandy

The drive from Le Touquet to Normandy felt long. We spent most of the day on the road, and if we were to do it again, I would definitely build in a stop at Honfleur or a similar town to break up the journey.

Omaha Beach and the D-Day Sites

The next morning we were up early to explore. Our first stop was Omaha Beach, one of the main landing sites for the D-Day invasion during World War II. I was really glad we made the effort to visit. The landscape is rugged and dramatic, and there is a slightly haunting atmosphere. Walking along the beach and exploring the remains of the bunkers certainly brings the history to life.

Just above the beach is the American Cemetery, and nearby is the Overlord Museum. Dogs are not allowed inside either, so we took it in turns to go in while the other stayed outside with Stitch.

Vet Visit for the Dog

If you’re travelling with dogs, it’s important to remember that they must have a tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before returning to the UK. We booked a vet appointment before we travelled, which made things simple. The visit itself was straightforward and we were in and out in about ten minutes. It cost around £50.

Pretty Bayeux & A Tranquil Farmhouse Stay

After Omaha, we drove to Bayeux, a charming town known for its historic tapestry. We took a leisurely wander through its pretty streets, then stopped at a café to sit in the sun, have a drink and watch the world go by.

We stayed in a traditional farmhouse in the surrounding countryside. It was wonderfully tranquil. Our host was lovely and laid on a delicious breakfast each morning. We started each day by taking our coffee outside to see the animals, while Stitch roamed freely in the gardens.

The location was ideal: approximately 20 minutes’ drive to Omaha Beach, 10 minutes to Bayeux and 5 minutes to the vet. If you are planning a visit to Normandy, I would definitely recommend having a car. There are many important sites scattered across the region, and driving makes it much easier to explore at your own pace.

The following day we were back on the road again, this time crossing the border into Belgium for a stay in Ghent.

Discovering Ghent, Belgium

This was my first time in Belgium and Ghent made a wonderful introduction. The drive from Normandy took about five hours, which was a bit of a slog but absolutely worth it.

Ghent has a warm, laid-back feel, with cobbled streets, quirky independent shops, a wide choice of restaurants and bars, and stunning historic buildings that look almost like a film set.

Driving and Permits

Before travelling, we applied for a free low-emission zone permit to drive through the city. We also needed a permit from our hotel, as it was located within the pedestrian zone. Both processes were straightforward and did not cause any issues.

We stayed at an Ibis hotel in a very central location, which made it easy to explore on foot once we had navigated the city centre traffic. Sharing the road with trams, bikes, scooters and pedestrians felt a little overwhelming at first, but we got the hang of it.

Exploring Ghent

We spent our time strolling along the river, admiring the architecture, and sampling local food and Belgian beer. I also managed a solo visit to the Castle of the Counts. It is fascinating to see inside, though it was very busy. I would definitely recommend pre-booking tickets if you’re planning to go. As I was on my own, the staff kindly let me straight through.

Our time in Ghent went far too quickly, and soon it was time to start making our way back towards France for our final night.

Final Stop: Dunkirk, France

Our last stop before heading home was Dunkirk, chosen for its convenient location. It took only around an hour to drive from Ghent, and from Dunkirk it is roughly half an hour to Calais for the ferry back to the UK.

When we arrived, the heavens opened. We couldn’t check into our room until 3 pm, so we took refuge in a cosy, dog-friendly bar nearby and waited out the worst of the rain.

Once it eased off, we headed out for a walk along the promenade and I visited the Operation Dynamo museum, which tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation. There was a lot to see and I came away feeling I had learnt a great deal. Entry was around 8 euros, very good value for what is included.

By the evening, the skies had cleared and we were able to enjoy a lovely dinner on the beach, watching the sunset with a local band providing the soundtrack in the background.

A Little Luxury at the Radisson Blu

In Dunkirk we stayed at the Radisson Blu, which is perfectly positioned on the seafront near the war monument. I loved the hotel’s design and spa and appreciated the thoughtful touches that made our stay feel special.

We were very kindly given a complimentary room upgrade. The room was spacious, with a large balcony, and came with fluffy robes and slippers, a coffee pod machine and even a bed and bowls laid out for Stitch. The toiletries were lovely too. In reception there were complimentary waters, biscuits, sweets and fruit, which was a nice extra.

It was the ideal place to relax, enjoy a little pampering and reflect on our adventures before making the short drive back to Calais and boarding the ferry home.

Final Thoughts

Our road trip took us from the white cliffs of Dover to the dunes of Le Touquet, the moving D-Day beaches of Normandy, the storybook canals of Ghent and the historic sands of Dunkirk. Travelling by car with the dog meant early starts, long drives and the occasional minor drama but it also gave us complete freedom to explore, stumble across new places and enjoy slower, more local experiences.

If you are tempted by a dog-friendly European road trip, I can help you plan routes, pet-friendly stops, characterful places to stay and build in those little luxuries along the way so your journey feels like a holiday, not just a drive.