Dogs welcome!
La Rochelle with your dog
When you go for a walk without your dog, there are tell-tale signs: his eyes shine, his tail wags energetically, his tongue hangs out... And woof! Your dog wants only one thing: to go out, explore wide open spaces, stretch its legs, run, play, sniff new smells, wander around with its nose in the air... Stuck for ideas for things to do with your dog in La Rochelle? Beaches, parks, walking trails and even water sports... Here's an overview of dog-friendly spots and activities in La Rochelle, which we've tested for you with our pooches: Viktor, Winter & Maya!
With your dog
Beach or boat trips
Set sail with your four-legged friend!
Although La Rochelle's beaches are only accessible to dogs out of season (generally from October to April) and only for those accompanying people with reduced mobility in summer, your companion can also enjoy the sea by boat!
Some cruise companies accept your pet on board their ships: Croisières Inter-îles, La Rochelle Croisières, Navipromer and Saint-Denis Croisières.
Kept safely on a lead, your dog can get up close to Fort Boyard or stop off for a few hours on the islands of Ré, Aix or Oléron.
Our favourites
Dog parks
La Rochelle also has many parks and gardens. However, for safety and cleanliness reasons, your dog is not welcome everywhere. But better still, they can enjoy specially designed dog parks, just for them and their fellow canines!
Designed to be fun yet safe, several parks have been created in La Rochelle so that your dog can play, run, exercise and socialise.
And beyond the benefits this provides for your pet, these parks are also great meeting places for owners, who can chat, sit down, exchange advice and encourage each other to be responsible pet owners.
Encounters
Walking with Nina
Looking for walks in the countryside with your dog, while meeting new people? We fell in love with ‘Les balades de Nina’ in La Rochelle and beyond (Benon Forest, Rompsay Canal to Dompierre, or along the beach), which allow dogs and their owners to enjoy relaxed walks.
Organised in groups, these supervised walks are ideal for getting to know your dog better, building trust and socialising them.
And because every dog is different, Nina has designed several walk options to suit all profiles: puppies under 6 months old, dogs over 9 years old, dogs used to being around other dogs, small dogs, calm dogs, athletic dogs, etc. With Nina, there's bound to be a walk that's right for your pet!
Walks we love
Our favourite spots
Whether you're visiting La Rochelle for the day or have lived here forever, you know there are perfect spots for walking your dog in a peaceful, natural setting. Here are some of our favourite places to explore:
Want to discover
More great walks ?
Check out the Loopi app, which lists walks, hiking trails, discovery trails and more.
💬 What about you? Do you have any secret spots to recommend for walking your dog?
📲 Share them with us on social media!
Dog-friendly places
Did you know?
Some dog-friendly places are delighted to welcome dogs, such as Nous La Rochelle: at the Tourist Office with our dog bar, at the Bunker in La Rochelle, and at the Maison de la Baie du Marais Poitevin with its mussel farming museum.
The right thing to do for respectful walks
Here in La Rochelle, we have a lot of respect for rugby players... but also walkers!
Remember to bring bags to pick up after your four-legged friend. This small gesture makes a big difference to the cleanliness of our paths and shows respect for other users.
Below you will find the water points accessible for hydrating your four-legged friends, within a 1 km radius of La Rochelle Town Hall Square, on our interactive map.
Dog services
Providers for our pooches
Want to explore the La Rochelle area with your pooch? Woof! Find providers and services to enjoy with your four-legged friend.