Updated April 2026
Important update: from 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer accepted for entry into the EU. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is now required for every trip and must be issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
France is the most popular destination for British pet relocation. Whether you're moving permanently to a Provencal village, bringing your pet to your second home in Brittany, or transporting a new puppy from a French breeder, this is the comprehensive guide to pet transport from the UK to France via the Eurotunnel.
Why France Is Different
France has the highest pet-import volume from the UK of any European country, by a wide margin. Reasons include:
- Geographic proximity: The shortest international pet journey from the UK lands in Calais — just 35 minutes from Folkestone via Le Shuttle.
- Second-home density: An estimated 200,000+ British-owned properties exist in France, particularly in the Dordogne, Brittany, the Vendee, and Provence.
- Permanent relocations: France is the most-chosen permanent relocation destination for British retirees and professionals.
- Quality breeders: French breed lines for many pedigree dogs and cats are highly regarded internationally.
- Pet-friendly culture: France famously welcomes dogs into restaurants, public transport, and most accommodation.
How the Door-to-Door Service Works
- UK collection: From any postcode — we collect from London, the Home Counties, the Midlands, the North, Wales, and Scotland.
- M20 to Folkestone Eurotunnel: Pet Reception scan and AHC verification.
- Le Shuttle 35-minute crossing: Your pet remains in the vehicle.
- French motorway network: Direct routes to anywhere in France via the A26 (north), A1 (Paris), A6 (south-east), or A10/A20 (south-west).
- French delivery: Door-to-door at any French address — Paris arrondissement, Provencal hamlet, Atlantic coast, Riviera, or Brittany.
French Regions We Cover
French Riviera & Mediterranean
The Cote d'Azur and Mediterranean coastline are popular destinations for British retirees and second-home owners. Common deliveries include Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Menton, and Marseille. Travel time from Calais to the Riviera is approximately 12–14 hours, typically split into a two-day journey with overnight rest for the pet.
Provence & Languedoc
The lavender fields, olive groves, and walled cities of Provence and Languedoc draw a steady stream of pet relocations. Destinations include Provence-wide deliveries, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Montpellier, Nimes, and Carcassonne.
Southwest France
Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, and the Dordogne. Particularly popular with British buyers because of established expat communities and strong English-speaking veterinary practices.
Central France & Loire Valley
Lyon, Tours, Orleans, and the Loire chateaux region. Lyon is France's second-largest city and a major destination for corporate relocations.
Atlantic Coast
La Rochelle, the Vendee, Charente-Maritime. The Atlantic-facing coast is dog-walker heaven and a year-round draw for British pet owners.
Brittany & Normandy
St-Malo, Dinard, Mont Saint-Michel, Honfleur, Deauville. The shortest Brittany destinations are barely 5–6 hours from Folkestone, making same-day delivery routine.
French Pet Documentation Requirements
Since 22 April 2026, every dog, cat, or ferret entering France from GB needs:
- Microchip: ISO 15-digit chip implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination: Administered at least 21 days before travel.
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Issued by a UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of departure. Valid for 6 months for onward EU travel and re-entry to GB.
- Tapeworm treatment: Required for dogs returning to GB only, given by a vet 1–5 days before re-entry.
Practical Tips for British Pet Owners in France
Veterinary care
French veterinary care is generally excellent and affordable. Most cities have English-speaking vet practices. Rural areas may require translation help; pre-prepared symptom phrasebooks are useful.
Pet-friendly accommodation
Most French hotels accept dogs, often free. Airbnb has a strong pet-friendly filter. Gites de France (rural cottages) are particularly accommodating.
Restaurants and cafes
Dogs are routinely welcome at French cafes and restaurants. Many will bring a water bowl unprompted. Larger or boisterous dogs are best taken to outdoor terraces.
Public transport
SNCF (French rail) allows small dogs and cats in carriers free of charge; larger dogs require a paid ticket and muzzle. Paris Metro and city trams generally accept dogs at the operator's discretion.
Beaches
French beach rules vary widely by commune and season. Most coastal beaches restrict dogs in summer (June-September) but allow them off-season. Atlantic and Brittany beaches are typically more permissive than Riviera ones.
Why Use a Professional Service Rather Than Drive Yourself
- Documentation handling: AHC errors at Pet Reception turn vehicles back. Our drivers verify everything before leaving the UK.
- Climate-controlled vehicles: Particularly important for summer journeys to southern France.
- Fatigue: A 12-hour drive through France is tiring; arriving fresh is a benefit you don't appreciate until you've done the alternative.
- Right-hand-drive complication: Toll booths and motorway service stations are designed for left-hand-drive cars. We have left-hand-drive vehicles.
- Expert routing: We know the comfort breaks, the avoid-on-Friday-night roads, and the strike risks for any given region.
French Destination Guides
We've created detailed local guides for popular French destinations including Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Menton, Marseille, Provence, Montpellier, Nimes, Carcassonne, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, Dordogne, Lyon, Tours, La Rochelle, St-Malo, Dinard, Mont Saint-Michel, Honfleur, and Deauville. Each guide covers local pet-friendly amenities, recommended vets, and travel-time considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the journey take to southern France?
Calais to the Riviera is approximately 12–14 hours of driving. We typically split this over two days with overnight rest.
Can my pet travel on the UK to France route without me?
Yes — most of our UK-to-France journeys are unaccompanied.
Do you handle multi-pet households on the UK to France route?
Routinely. Our vehicles accommodate multiple individual travel zones.
What if my pet has medical conditions on the UK to France route?
We handle most medical cases. Discuss specifics with our team before booking; we may recommend a vet consultation.
Related Guides
Seasonal Considerations for France-Bound Pet Travel
Summer and winter present different operational challenges. From June to August, French motorways become heavily congested on Saturdays as French families change holiday locations. Eurotunnel slot prices roughly double during peak summer weekends, and finding pet-friendly accommodation in popular regions becomes difficult. We strongly recommend booking at least 4 weeks ahead for any July or August journey. From December to February, weather across central France can include snow at higher elevations, particularly on routes through the Massif Central or the Alps. Our vehicles carry winter tyres throughout the season and we adjust route plans to avoid mountain passes when conditions warrant.
Multi-Stop France Itineraries
Many British clients with French second homes ask us about multi-stop journeys — for example, dropping a pet in Paris for a week before continuing to Provence. We accommodate these with split bookings, where the AHC's 4-month validity window covers the entire trip. Common multi-stop combinations include Paris-Provence, Paris-Bordeaux, Paris-Brittany, and Lyon-Riviera. Each split adds operational complexity but the per-leg cost is competitive when booked together.
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