Flying to France With Your Dog (From Real Travelers)

Bringing your dog to France sounds like the ultimate dream -until you start looking into the rules, restrictions, and reality of international pet travel.

This guide gathers first-hand advice from people who’ve flown with their dogs, thought seriously about it, or decided against it after seeing what it really involves.

Most of the stories here revolve around French Bulldogs, which makes things even trickier. If you’re planning to fly to France with your dog, especially a brachycephalic breed, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

Cabin Only: No Exceptions

If your dog can’t travel in the cabin, it’s probably a no-go. That’s not just personal opinion, it’s safety! Flat-faced breeds like Frenchies have serious breathing issues, and cargo is a risky place for them. In fact, many airlines won’t allow them in the hold at all.

But cabin travel also comes with strict rules. Air France, for example, has an 8 kg limit including the carrier. That’s not much. The bag has to fit under the seat, and in some classes (like First) pets may not be allowed at all.

And it gets cold down there. One traveler mentioned taking their shoes off mid-flight and their feet freezing. Now imagine a dog trying to sleep in that space for ten hours.

Choosing the Right Airline

If your dog is on the small side and used to travel, it’s possible. Some travelers flew successfully with Delta and American Airlines, but only after making sure all cabin rules were followed to the letter.

La Compagnie also came up as a more pet-friendly option, allowing dogs up to 32 pounds in the cabin. However, it’s business class only and flies out of New York, which adds an extra leg if you’re coming from somewhere like Florida.

Paperwork Is a Project

France doesn’t require quarantine in most cases, but the entry process still takes time and planning. You’ll need a microchip that’s readable in Europe – some people had to get a second one because their U.S. chip wasn’t compatible.

Rabies vaccines are mandatory, and depending on the situation, a rabies titer test might also be required. That test needs to be done six months in advance.

The paperwork has to be signed off by a USDA-accredited vet and stamped by the USDA itself. That can involve overnight shipping, courier services, or a drive to the nearest USDA office.

Timing matters! Health certificates are usually only valid for a short window before your departure. It’s a checklist you can’t afford to mess up.

Don’t Guess, Practice!

If your dog isn’t already comfortable spending time in a carrier, now’s the time to start.

One family gave their Frenchie regular rides in a carrier-style bag well before the trip. The bag was expandable and had a cooling pad inside to make things more comfortable.

They also booked a morning flight so their dog would be more likely to sleep. Others suggested red-eye flights for the same reason.

Short domestic flights are a great way to test how your dog reacts before committing to something transatlantic.

Vets, Meds, and Tough Choices

Sedation came up often, but most agreed: avoid it unless your vet insists and explains exactly how to do it. Flat-faced dogs can react badly to sedatives. Calming aids like CBD or natural supplements might help, but again, ask your vet.

One traveler who moved to the UK had a full routine in place, including certified paperwork, pre-travel vet checks, and a post-arrival vet appointment to get a local pet passport. The process wasn’t simple, but it worked.

The Reality Once You’re There

This part often gets overlooked. Just because your dog makes it to France doesn’t mean everything goes smoothly.

You can’t take a dog to the top of the Eiffel Tower, into most museums, or inside many restaurants. Some taxis will refuse pets.

Summer heat is a serious concern, especially for French Bulldogs. Many Frenchies stay indoors during the hottest hours and only go out for short walks late at night.

If you’re picturing long days strolling through Paris with your dog in tow, reality may not match the vision.

Two Weeks or Not Worth It?

This was the line for a lot of people. For a short trip, say two weeks, many felt the hassle wasn’t justified. Between paperwork, temperature concerns, cabin size limits, and what you can’t do once there, the stress might outweigh the joy.

Some people suggested leaving the dog with someone trusted or booking a good kennel. A few had done this themselves and said their dogs were absolutely fine.

One person summed it up by saying, “He’ll miss you, but he’ll be overjoyed when you come back.”

That said, others made it work, either by flying when their dogs were smaller or by moving abroad with enough time to handle everything properly.

Final Takeaway

Traveling to France with your dog isn’t impossible. But it’s not simple either. If you’re moving long-term or can commit serious time to preparation, it can be done. But for a short vacation? It might be kinder to let your dog skip this one.