Lyon, a pet-friendly city
What could be more pleasant than visiting Lyon – “Capital of the Gauls” – with your beloved canine friend? However, when you arrive in an unfamiliar city, it’s often difficult to find places designed to welcome dogs. Here are some tips and advice from us to explore the city with your faithful companion.
Do you never travel without your dog?
Parks and areas
The City of Lyon has put a lot of effort into making dog owners feel welcome in recent years. Recently, two new agility areas have been inaugurated where our furry friends can let off some steam: one at Tête d’Or park (near the velodrome), one at Blandan park (behind the sports fields), and one near Clos Layat (800 m²), in the 8th district. These areas are being added to the 70 existing ones.
In fact, most of Lyon’s municipal parks allow dogs on a leash and have a special area for them. For example, there is Georges Bazin park and Alban Vistel square (3rd district), Le Jardin des Plantes in the Croix-Rousse, Parc de la Garde (5th district), Petit Serin park (6th district), au Antoine Perrin park (8th district) and Parc des Hautefeuilles (9thdistrict).
How about around Lyon?
Grand Parc de Miribel Jonage (Vaulx-en-Milieu), and urban nature park of La Feyssine in Villeurbanne, welcomes our four-legged friends, as long as they are kept on a leash of course.
In Bron, the Parc de Parilly proposes an agiility area (near Berliet entrance), as well as Domaine de Lacroix-Laval, in Marcy-l'Etoile (near Varenne entrance).
What to do with poops?
Be sure to bring bags, as only some of the public parks (where dogs are allowed, but only if kept on a leash) have dog poop bag distributors. Owners who fail to do their duty face the risk of being landed with a hefty €68 fine.
What about public transport?
The TCL public transport network confirms that it is possible to take public transport with your dog, as long as it is an assistance dog or if your dog travels in a basket. This is good news for little doggies, even those that think they are much bigger than they really are!
For bigger dogs, TCL has introduced the ‘Waf’ ticket. This is reserved for pet dogs weighing more than 6 kg and enables you to travel with your faithful friend for a day, a week, a month or even a whole year. The owner must also hold a valid ticket. Further information is available on the TCL website.
Read the guide "Bienvenue aux chiens sur le réseau TCL" (pdf, only in French)
For further information, visit https://www.grandlyon.com/services/mon-chien-en-ville.html (only in French)
Looking after your pet’s wellbeing
It’s important to make sure your dog has enough to drink while you’re out and about in the city.
Most of the city’s parks have water fountains. You can also fill up water bottles for you and your dog at our gourde-friendly (Refill your bottle) partners.
What to do if your dog needs medical help?
This is the number for Veterinary Emergencies in the Lyon metropolitan area: +33 (0)4 72 30 40 40 or 3115.
The service is available 24/7.
Shops for stylish pooches
In Lyon’s 6th district, at 19 Rue Cuvier, the shop Animaux Urbains has all the latest trends, including chew toys, organic dog biscuits, and stylish, unbreakable furniture. Also in the 6th district, at 19 Rue Bugeaud, the shop Un chien, un chat stocks some lovely items for doggies. There is also Canaldog, which has shops in the 7th and 9th districts, and Médor et Compagnie, in Caluire, Décines, Givors and Pierre-Bénite.
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