DOG-FRIENDLY PAS-DE-CALAIS

Northern France's beaches and charming towns will welcome you and your furry companions, says travel author Lottie Gross

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WHY GO?

Pas-de-Calais has often been somewhere Brits pass through on the way to warmer climes. But this region deserves your attention not least because it's one of the most dog-friendly areas in France. The coastline is named the Côte d’Opale (Opal Coast), and on a warm day when the sun illuminates the ocean, it’s easy to see why.

CALAIS

Seaside Calais is well worth a weekend stay. Beyond the booze outlets lies a magnificent beach (open to dogs from mid-October to mid-May), a smattering of war history and a creative community, making the town into an outdoor gallery. Get the lay of the land on a walking tour of its technicolour street art. You can follow a route on gpsmycity.com, or join one of the tourist office's tours throughout summer. For a year-round sandy dog walk, there's an unsupervised stretch of beach called Blériot-Plage, a mile from the Compagnie du Dragon. For greener walks, head to Parc Saint-Pierre or Parc Richelieu.