Dogs in shops

[erin85]

Hi! Is it alright to bring my dog into a shop such as Jardiland (gardening and animalerie)? She's large, so doesn't fit in a purse. I assume this is probably ok, based on what I've observed here in France, but the Jardiland is almost an hour's walk away, so I don't want to be turned away when I arrive! Thanks,

Erin

[DPK]

Phone and ask?

I have found during my current road trip that there is a big change in the attitude of the French to dogs.

They seem far more wary of them, and they are not as welcome in shops and restaurants as they used to be.

[Bevdeforges]

Legally, you're not supposed to take your dog into any shop that sells food - so no grocery stores, bakeries, butcher shops, etc. (Cafés seem to be exceptions.)

I think DPK's suggestion to call first is probably the safest approach.
Cheers,
Bev

[erin85]

Ahh, the dreaded phone call in French! Does anyone want to give me the wording that would be used? Does 'est-ce qu'on peut apporter un chien à l'interieur du magasin?' make sense? Merci...

[OuiInFrance]

Hi Erin! Happy to report that dogs ARE welcome in Jardiland and other stores that sell pet food. I'm in there once a week with my dog here in the Loire Valley and it's no problem at all. I think we asked the first time just to make sure it was OK and they said absolutely. Granted, my dog is small and doesn't make any noise, but I'm sure it would be fine with your dog as well. They sell pet supplies...

Also, in general, at least where I live, shops are very welcoming (again I have a small well-behaved dog) when it comes to my dog. I run into the pharmacy with her, had a bank meeting the other day and she stayed at my feet the whole time under the chair and goes in the tabac, boulangerie and other places. Just on a leash, not in a travel bag or anything. As long as your dog doesn't cause any problems, I think it will be fine. As was previously mentioned, your dog can't go to the grocery store, but everything else should be fine. I find that once people at your local shops know you (and know how much you spend each month with them), they're more likely to ignore an almost invisible dog. ;-) So hopefully that makes you feel better.

That would NEVER fly at Duane Reade in NYC!

Good luck and feel free to ask me anything specific about dog stuff. Been through a lot of it already and know all about vet fees, etc.

[erin85]

An update...

Yes, as OuiInFrance said, dogs are welcome in Jardiland (I went to the one in Gometz-le-Chatel)! I walked in with no problems; there was actually an advertisement on the door for a photo session for pets coming up in September. Also, another dog was entering when we were leaving... thanks everyone.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by erin85

An update...

Yes, as OuiInFrance said, dogs are welcome in Jardiland (I went to the one in Gometz-le-Chatel)! I walked in with no problems; there was actually an advertisement on the door for a photo session for pets coming up in September. Also, another dog was entering when we were leaving... thanks everyone.

You're an hour's walk from the Jardiland in Gometz? Which direction?

I go by there all the time en route to Gif or Bures or Orsay - though I live the other side of Limours.
Cheers,
Bev

[erin85]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

You're an hour's walk from the Jardiland in Gometz? Which direction?

I go by there all the time en route to Gif or Bures or Orsay - though I live the other side of Limours.
Cheers,
Bev

Hey Bev,

I live in Bures - right in between the RER stations.

Erin