My wife and I plan to rent an apartment in the Paris area for three months starting in early November 2024, and we will have our dog with us (yellow lab, 4 years old, well behaved, does not bark). We have been told by a French friend that landlords cannot refuse to rent to us in Paris based on the fact that we have a dog. But our friend did not have any citation to any law or regulation that prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants with a dog, and we do not want to show up at the apartment in November (with dog) and have the landlord refuse to give us the keys on the basis of our dog. Does anyone know of laws or regulations that bear on this issue? we plan to rent either in Paris, or just adjacent, such as Vincennes. Thanks. Peter
The owner cannot refuse to rent to you if it is your permanent home (except dangerous animals), but if it is a rental contract for a furnished tourist accommodation (it's not your home), the owner can prohibit the presence of any animal in the accommodation.
Law No. 70-598 of July 9, 1970.
In French here:
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/article_lc/LEGIARTI000025576932/
It is hard to rent short term like that without being a student or on a work permit. And if someone has a short term apartment for rent they can absolutely refuse to rent. Usually rental contracts are for years not months. Yours is basically a holiday rental unless you have the paperwork that entitles you to short term rentals.
https://www.expatica.com/fr/living/family/pet-travel-to-france-106698/
I’m not a pet owner but did wonder about quarantine for your pet (not necessary if other conditions are fulfilled per the article but you may want to confirm on a more official site!) My apologies if you’ve already done that research! Hope you and pooch have a fun time!
Dear Peter, I have taken my dog to Paris, she was welcomed in hotels, restaurants, public transportation, just not some government buildings. She was always given a bowl of water before a menu was given to me. Upon landing in Paris no one even looked at her paperwork to make sure she was up to date on her vaccinations. If the person who is renting the apartment for 3 months has agreed to allowing your dog I would take them at their word. If you have not asked for permission well that's a different situation. The question for the French is not "Why would you bring your dog with you?' It is "Why wouldn't you bring your dog with you"? Enjoy your trip. J
PS Don't try travel thru the UK with your dog. And take a look at the French Consulate for rules regarding your dog's entrance into France. The airline webpage will also be a good resource for requirements of traveling with pets. There was at that time rules regarding the dog being chipped, it was mandatory. There are more requirements to return to the USA with your pet than leaving the USA, time frames of heath certificates and the like.
Dog aside, you need to be very precise about your timing. If you are traveling on a US passport without a long-stay visa, you can only remain in France or in any combination of Schengen countries for 90 days within any 180-day period. Your arrival day and your departure day both count. A three-month stay starting in late November would be 92 days, putting you over the Schengen limit even if you didn't spend any extra days in the Schengen area before or after your apartment lease. That would potentially subject you to a substantial fine and being banned from returning for a number of years.