Dog Friendly Normandy
Discover dog-friendly Le Tertre, from our favourite beautiful countryside walks and adventures further afield to the changes we’re making to make us truly ‘dog-welcoming’.
Zaki disguised in the autumn leaves!
Four-legged guests are always welcome in our little corner of Normandy 🐾
As we’re currently owned by two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Khaya and Zaki, we firmly believe that a holiday isn’t quite the same if you have to leave your faithful friends behind.
In this journal we talk about our favourite dog-friendly walks as well as the things we’re doing at Le Tertre to make us a little more than just ‘dog-friendly’.
One of the reasons we fell in love with Le Tertre was the miles of quiet country lanes we’re surrounded by, perfect for trouble-free walking right on our doorstep. That’s perfect for days when we don’t want to venture far, when we do there’s so many options close-by that make great dog-walking destinations, whatever takes their fancy!
Firstly, and most Importantly, Our Favourite Local Walks…
You don’t need to get in the car to enjoy a good walk from Le Tertre! We have plenty of walking routes nearby through the quiet lanes and fields of the beautiful bocage landscape that surrounds us. The perfect option for a morning walk with your four-legged friend!
A short drive into Ceaucé town and there’s two established routes taking your from the Mairie (where you can park for free), through the many ‘chemins creux’ which are lovely tree-lined sunken lanes, perfect for your walk. Check them out here on the official Ceaucé Mairie website.
Here’s a few more we regularly enjoy…
Fosse-Arthour ‘a land of legends’
This beautiful forest is home to many a legend around King Arthur and Guinevere, including their alleged resting chambers! The Sonce river makes its way through the sandstone, forming stunning waterfalls and quite lovely walking or hiking paths along the way.
Just 20 minutes drive from Le Tertre, there’s a six-kilometer route through the forest which goes straight from the car park but it’s very easy to navigate your way around the paths where you can do as much or as little as you like.
There is much more to do here including climbing up to the highest peaks but as our dogs are both in their senior years we stick to the flatter paths.
There’s also a fabulous restaurant on site Auberge de la Fosse Arthour, definitely worth a visit!
The Lake at Camping Municipal - Ceaucé
This one’s just a 10 minute drive from us, on the far side of our local town, Ceaucé.
Although this is the Municipal Campsite it doesn’t really feel like that when you arrive. You can walk around the very pretty lake, probably in around 15 minutes so it’s a good choice for when you and your bestie just need to stretch your legs without over exerting!
The Lake at Saint-Fraimbault (Plan d’eau de Saint-Fraimbault)
This lake has a lot more going on than walking. You can fish, play miniature golf or take a pedal boat out on the lake!
The walk around the lake is just under 1 kilometer, all on flat gravel paths so it’s relatively simple.
At the end you can relax next to the lake and have a drink from the bar too which is handy.
Bagnoles-de-l’Orne
Bagnoles is around 25 minutes away by car but is well worth the drive for you to explore the Andaines Forest!
There's multiple routes, largely in the shade of the trees and you can go as little or as far as you choose.
There’s so many routes to choose from, ranging from 1-30 miles and all with something different to offer. Take a look here and start planning you and your furry friends next adventure!
Walk a section of the Vélo Francette
Although famous as a cycling route, parts of the Vélo Francette also make lovely countryside walks with your dog. Choose from the many sections nearby and away you go! The well sign-posted routes take you down quiet country lanes, across greenways and towpaths, over bridges and viaducts and so much more. Walk as far as you like, then simply turn back when you’ve had enough. Read more about the routes in our Journal page dedicated to the famous cycle route…
Becoming more than Dog-Friendly
Here at Le Tertre, we’re not just ‘dog-friendly’, we like to think we go a little further. We know that your dogs holiday is as important as your own, and if your bestie is calm, relaxed and having a good time then you will be too.
We’re taking a few steps to ensure when we say ‘dog-friendly’ we’re not just ‘allowing’ dogs, we’re welcoming them.
A few changes we’re making…
🐾 We’ve added fully enclosed fences to all accommodation where we welcome dogs to stay. Meaning you can confidently allow them outdoors, without worrying they can wander off to follow a new exciting scent!
🐾 As all of our cottages have been converted from the 200 year old farm buildings, the wooden staircases can be a little daunting when you have four paws to co-ordinate! We’re adding carpet stair-treads to The Farmhouse and Dot’s Parlour to help our doggy guests have more grip and feel more confident when it’s time to follow you up or down the stairs.
🐾 It’s not always easy to take your dog everywhere with you. For times when it’s just not possible, we’ve linked up with a local Dog Sitter Verity, who will happily come and sit with your dog(s) in your cottage whilst you’re out, or will welcome them to her own home that’s literally just down the road from us! Our local vets in Domfront can provide reviews if needed.
🐾 The thought of needing a vet when you’re on holiday is something we don’t like to think about but just in case the worst happens, or if you just need some reassurance, we make sure you have the contact details for our vet, Univet in nearby Domfront en Poiraie. They have English speaking receptionists and vets if it’s helpful.
🐾 We already have bowls, towels and feeding mats in our dog-welcoming cottages. For Autumn we’ll be adding doggy blankets and welcome treats too for when you arrive 😊
Our Wall of Paws
To celebrate our many four-legged guests that we’re lucky to see at Le Tertre, we’ve created our Wall of Paws!
We’ll be asking all of our guests to share a pic of their bestie having a fabulous time! From playing in the garden to snoozing in front of the fire, we want to fill the wall with beautiful pictures of our most favourite visitors!
Our New Wall of Paws!
Thanks for reading…
After years of holidaying with our dogs, i think we know what makes somewhere truly ‘dog-friendly’. We’re using this experience to make Le Tertre somewhere that dog owners can bring their faithful companions along and just relax, knowing that they’re safe and happy on their holiday too!
Take a look at our dog-welcoming cottages below and please get in touch if you have any questions…
We’d love to welcome you and your furry friends to Le Tertre. To book your stay simply complete the form above, or find us on Airbnb.
We hope to see you soon! 🍂🐾🌿