Bordeaux

The redesigned 4.5km riverfront quays are Bordeaux's great outdoor living room. Flat, wide and shaded by plane trees, they connect the Miroir d'Eau (the world's largest reflecting pool — dogs wade in it daily) to the Darwin Ecosystem, a converted barracks with organic market, skate park and dog-friendly café terrace.

Bordeaux's main city park — 28 hectares of oak and chestnut woodland, a lake and dedicated off-leash areas. Extremely popular with local dog owners on weekend mornings. The rose garden and children's play area are lead-required zones.

The antiques and wine merchant district north of the Quinconces is Bordeaux at its most relaxed. Sunday market, independent wine shops (caves) that often welcome dogs inside, and shaded street cafés where dogs are as normal a sight as wine glasses.

The city's artificial lake north of the centre is ringed by a 10km path ideal for jogging and dog walks. Off-leash areas exist around the lake perimeter; in summer, the beach area has a dog zone separate from the main swimming beach.

The spectacular wine museum is not accessible to dogs. The riverside gardens and terraces of the Cité du Vin are dog-friendly; the rooftop bar (with views over the river) welcomes dogs on its terrace.