This week the PetsPyjamas very own Pet Inspectors Rufus & Heidi report on their fabulous trip to France with Eurotunnel! Read all about their woof-tastic adventure below…
Heidi and I like nothing better than a road trip, so we were super excited when our travel bags were whisked into the car for a wonderful adventure to France. We had been invited to stay with our dear friend, Alix Miller, at her super luxury Chalet in the mountains – Chalet Pearl in Champagny. The human’s told us that the plan was to go on a Summer hiking holiday where there would be superb walks for us canines in the mountains, plus a stop off on the way at PetsPyjamas fabulous pet-friendly hotel – Abbaye de la Bussiere in Dijon. It sounded like a great trip and we were so excited to be included – waggy tails all round!
Eurotunnel
As well as our owners (Denise and Rory), Alix’s great friends Tracey and Iona had also been invited along to stay! They are both teachers but promised not be too strict with us. We set off from Fulham on Monday morning and in no time at all arrived at Dover for our crossing on Eurotunnel. Heidi and I sat in the back of the car with the girls, snuggled up on their laps during the drive. Thankfully they are both dog lovers so they don’t seem to mind!
Heidi and I are old hands at travelling on Eurotunnel – its brilliant! Rory and Denise took us to Eurotunnel’s doggie play area – a designated area for dogs with hoops and tunnels to burrow into. It was so much fun and we made friends with other pups who were also crossing the channel. The crossing itself is super quick – you drive into the carriage, the human’s stay in the car and in just 35 minutes you are in France! It’s all very easy and in no time at all, we were on the French motorway. Also, we love French motorway service stations! Why I hear you ask? Because us dogs are allowed in, unlike their British counterparts, plus we were paid lots of attention while we were there. As a special treat, we stopped off at PetsPyjamas’ fabulous dog-friendly hotel Abbaye De la Bussiere at La Bussiere-sur-Ouche, just a short drive from Dijon. The hotel makes a great stopping off point as it is just 4 and a half hours drive from Calais. And check out the beautiful rooms!
Abbaye de la Bussière
Abbaye de la Bussière
Abbaye de la Bussière
Almost immediately it’s time for dinner, and naturally, we are included. As its such lovely weather, we decide to eat outside on the terrace. The great thing about this hotel is that dogs are allowed in both restaurants too. The main restaurant is Michelin starred so the humans enjoy a fabulous three-course meal including delicious local lamb and a fab dessert with the hotels homegrown honey, while we contented ourselves with a few delicious titbits and a few pieces from the breadboard. After a lovely night’s sleep (everyone is super tired after our drive), we have breakfast on the terrace again and afterwards a lovely walk around the lake and the gardens. We are not surprised to find there are quite a few other dogs staying here – and why wouldn’t they? This place is seriously dog-friendly. The humans are already planning a return trip next year (we hope we are included).
Abbaye de la Bussière
After a wonderful few days in Champagny, we said our goodbyes and headed back, this time staying in Troyes as a stopping off point – a gorgeous medieval town with cobbled streets, Gothic churches and charming half-timbered houses. While we were there incredibly we bumped into two PetsPyjamas customers and their charming dog, who was also on a road trip around France. That evening we had dinner at Le Chat Noir in Troyes, a fabulous and super stylish restaurant which was super stylish and best of all, incredibly dog-friendly. Another swift trip back on Eurotunnel with plans afoot already for yet another, a long road trip to France this summer. We can’t wait!
