Lyon

Lyon's magnificent 117-hectare park — with a lake, rose garden, and a free zoo — is the city's premier dog destination. Dogs on lead welcome throughout; the lakeside paths and open meadows make it ideal for long walks morning or evening.

The hilltop above old Lyon, topped by the Fourvière basilica and Roman amphitheatre ruins, is a superb elevated dog walk. The Jardin du Rosaire leads up through terraced gardens with views over the city. Most of the hill's gardens are accessible with dogs on lead.

The redeveloped riverside quays on both rivers are Lyon's most popular outdoor spaces. Flat, wide, shaded in parts and lined with cafés and food trucks — the Berges du Rhône on the left bank are especially dog-friendly, with water points and open lawns.

The UNESCO-listed Renaissance district below Fourvière is navigable with a dog, especially in the early morning or off-season. The traboules (hidden passageways) are accessible; dogs must be on lead in the narrow streets. Bouchons generally welcome dogs at outdoor tables.

Museums in Lyon do not allow dogs. The courtyard of the Musée des Beaux-Arts (former Benedictine abbey) is accessible for a look from the garden side. The Lumière gardens are dog-friendly.