Plan your itinerary in France. Keep in mind that big tourist cities such as Paris may not be as friendly as smaller ones to someone traveling with a dog. Use plane, train or rental car travel; avoid organized tours. Bikes and motorcycles might work for short distances if your dog is small enough to travel in a carrier behind the seat. Less urban parts of France will work better for you, such as the north, the west or the southwest. Mountains and parks are generally better choices than indoor attractions.
Look for apartments or hotels that accept dogs. Most on-line travel services will allow you to search for pet-friendly lodgings or use guidebooks like the Guide Routard. Some small hotels in Paris accept dogs and the percentage goes up outside the French capital.
Obtain an international health certificate for your dog from your hometown veterinarian. The health certificate testifies that your dog does not have any obvious diseases and is current on her rabies shots. Carry the certificate with you as you travel, as well as the chip or tattoo information.
Book tickets to France on an airline that accepts dogs. Many do. Use a dog carrier approved by the airline on which you are traveling and be prepared to show your health certificate at the airline counter. Be prepared to show it as well when you are passing customs in France, although frequently border agents do not request it. Put the collar and leash on your dog when you pass through customs and keep your dog leashed in the airport.
Put your dog back in its traveling carrier for train and bus rides. French railroads charge a small fee for dogs in carrying cases and a much larger fee for dogs traveling without cases. The same is true for airlines within France that accept dogs, including Air France.
Learn and use basic "doggy" expressions in French such as "my dog is nice"--"mon chien est gentil"--or "her name is Sierra"--"elle s'appelle Sierra." Let kids and strangers pat your dog if she is comfortable with the attention; it makes it easy to strike up a conversation. Show appreciation when a waiter brings water or a treat for your dog.
Be a good citizen and carry plastic bags to pick up after your dog. Expect many people to look at you in amazement, however, when you do. Cleaning up after dogs is virtually unknown in large parts of France, although a few bigger cities offer dog bags in parks.
