Rouen

A Gothic masterpiece of lace-like spires, painted dozens of times by Monet according to the hour of day. Dogs are not allowed inside, but the Place de la Cathédrale and its surroundings are lovely to explore on a leash.

A 14th-century astronomical clock straddling a cobbled pedestrian street, the city's emblem. You pass beneath it freely with a leashed dog, in the heart of the medieval shopping quarter.

A broad square where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, now lined with timber-framed houses and a covered market. An open space ideal for strolling on a leash; the church of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc does not admit dogs indoors.

A historic botanical garden on the Left Bank, rich in glasshouses and notable trees. Dogs are allowed on a leash along the paths; a genuine patch of green for a quiet break.

Riverbanks redesigned into walkways and relaxation areas along the Seine, on both sides of the centre. Ideal for a long walk with the dog; watch for traffic near the bridges.

A rare medieval charnel house with wooden galleries carved with macabre motifs, a relic of the great plague epidemics. An open-air courtyard you can visit with a leashed dog, a unique atmosphere.