Home About me My approach Prices 2026 Blog Contact me
Practical tips 2026 guide Alpes-Maritimes

Parks and dog areas
in the Alpes-Maritimes

J
Jordan Mathieu
· 27 March 2026 · 7 min read

Finding somewhere to take your dog in the 06 is not hard. Finding the right place, where your dog can really burn off energy, socialise and explore, is another matter. This guide separates fenced dog areas (lead optional) from county nature parks (wide open spaces, lead required). Two kinds of outing, two different purposes.

Parc de la Croix des Gardes in Cannes — marked forest path with pines and mimosas
Parc de la Croix des Gardes, Cannes — 80 hectares of forest, lead optional throughout the park

⚠️ What to know before you set off

🚫
Category 1 dogs: not allowed in almost all public spaces and dog parks in the département. Category 2 dogs (Rottweiler, American Staffordshire…): they must be muzzled and on the lead, which makes fenced areas poorly suited to them.
🌿
From 15 April to 30 June, in forests and nature parks, dogs must stay on the marked paths. Off the paths they are not allowed, to protect wildlife during the breeding season. Fines of up to €750 are possible.
🔥
In summer, in dry, hot, windy weather, the county nature parks may close temporarily because of the fire risk. Notices at the park entrances will tell you. Remember to check before you set off.

🔵 Part 1 — Fenced dog areas

These are the only legal places in town where your dog can be off the lead. In an enclosed, purpose-built dog area, your dog can be let off the lead legally, whatever the rules of the commune. It is one of the few places where the law guarantees this right.

📍 Nice — 9 dog gardens in the city

Parc de la Brague — Valbonne / Biot, 55 hectares beside the river
Rives du Loup — Villeneuve-Loubet / Cagnes-sur-Mer

In several districts of Nice, fenced areas have been set up so dogs can burn off energy safely. Dogs can be let off the lead there, but they remain their owners' responsibility.

North Nice — 2 areas

Lead optional

Parc Docteur Jean Guillaud (Parc de la Clua) — between Le Ray and La Plana.
Parc Chambrun (Temple de l'amour) — two enclosures, waste bags provided, toys available. Between avenue Georges Sand and the vieux chemin de Gairaut.

🔒 Fenced💧 Water point👥 Moderate

East Nice — 2 areas

Lead optional

Rue Soleau — Riquier / Le Port / Mont-Boron area.
Jardin Pisano (Jardin du tunnel de Mont-Boron) — Mont-Boron, calm and green.

🔒 Fenced👥 Low

West Nice — 4 areas

Lead optional

Parc Carol de Roumanie — Fabron.
Avenue de la Pastorelle — Fabron.
Jardin Paul Scoffier — Saint-Augustin, next to the lycée des Eucalyptus.
Jardin de la batterie russe — between Saint-Augustin and Fabron.

🔒 Fenced👥 Variable

Nice Cimiez — 1 area

Lead optional

Bois Sacré — on the Cimiez hill, close to the Roseraie du Monastère. An exceptional, leafy setting.

🔒 Fenced👥 Low
⚠️
Rule common to all of Nice's dog gardens: Category 1 dogs are not allowed. Category 2 dogs must be muzzled and kept on the lead only.

📍 Menton — 2 fenced dog parks

10 avenue Blasco Ibanez & 115 corniche Serres de la Madone

Lead optional

Two parks designed specially for dogs, fenced and secure, with a water point. Menton is one of the most dog-friendly towns in the département, which fits well with its three dog beaches.

🔒 Fenced💧 Water point👥 Low to moderate

📍 Agility park — Cagnes-sur-Mer

Agility park at Parc des Lucayas — Cagnes-sur-Mer

⭐ New in 2025

Funded through the 2025 participatory budget of the town of Cagnes-sur-Mer, this dog agility park is dedicated to dogs and their owners. An obstacle course (hurdles, tunnel, weave poles, walkway…) to stimulate your dog physically and mentally, and strengthen your bond.

ℹ️
The commune of Cagnes-sur-Mer also has a dog beach (Plage de l'Hippodrome, groyne no. 1). It is one of the few communes in the 06 to offer both a dog area in town and a dog-friendly beach.
🏃 Agility🔒 Dedicated area📍 Parc des Lucayas📞 04 93 22 19 00

📍 Parc de la Brague — Valbonne / Biot / Cagnes-sur-Mer

La Brague — river at Valbonne and Biot, walking with a dog
Parc de la Brague — Valbonne / Biot
Parc du Paradou, Vallauris — sea-view path with pines and the Mediterranean
Parc du Paradou — Vallauris

Parc des Rives du Loup

Lead required

55 hectares along the River Loup between Villeneuve-Loubet and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Many access points to the river let dogs swim. Lead required throughout. Open 7am to 8pm (April–October) and 8am to 6pm (November–March).

📅
From 15 April to 30 June: lead required, and dogs must stay on the marked paths to protect wildlife.
🌊 55 hectares👥 High🕐 7am–8pm (Apr–Oct)💧 Swimming possible

🟢 Part 2 — County nature parks

The Alpes-Maritimes has 17 nature parks, covering more than 4,650 hectares of protected land. Dogs are welcome, on the lead, with one notable exception.

Étang de Fontmerle — Parc de la Valmasque, Mougins
Parc de la Valmasque — Mougins / Valbonne, with its pond, waterfall and forest

⭐ Parc de la Croix des Gardes — Cannes

Lead optional

The special case in the département. The whole park allows dogs off the lead, as long as they are not dangerous or aggressive dogs. 80 hectares, about twenty kilometres of marked paths, several viewpoints, fountains with bowls and bag dispensers.

Important: your dog must stay on the paths. If recall and walking off the lead are not yet reliable, keep your dog on the lead.

🌲 80 hectares👥 Very busy💧 Fountains🅿️ Car parks

Parc de la Valmasque — Mougins / Valbonne

Lead required

Dozens of forest paths, a waterfall, the Étang de Fontmerle and a small stream (la Bouillide). One of the richest parks in the département for scent stimulation.

🌲 Dense forest💧 Pond & waterfall👥 Moderate to high

Parc du Paradou — Vallauris

Lead required

Easy to reach, flat, green and shady. A classic in the Antibes/Villeneuve-Loubet area, ideal for senior dogs or outings with a pushchair.

🌳 Flat & shady👥 High🅿️ Easy parking

Parc des Rives du Var — Nice / Saint-Laurent / Carros

Lead required

A linear walk along the Var through several communes. Access from the airport as far as Lingostière. Ideal for long walks with no climbing.

🏞️ Riverside👥 Moderate

Parc de la Brague — Biot / Valbonne

Lead required

A nature trail following the River Brague for several kilometres. Shady and calm, with places where your dog can cool off in the river.

💧 River access👥 Low to moderate

Lac du Broc — Carros / Le Broc

Lead required

A man-made lake with turquoise water and a flat path all the way round. Quiet and not very busy. Please note: swimming is not allowed.

💧 Turquoise lake🚫 No swimming👥 Low

Parc du Sinodon — Roquefort-les-Pins

Lead required

Three marked routes through forest and along a small river. Not very busy, which makes it perfect for reactive dogs that need space without too many other dogs.

🌲 Very quiet👥 Very low💧 Small river

Parc de la Grande Corniche — La Trinité / Villefranche / Èze / La Turbie

Lead required

An exceptional panorama over the hinterland and the Mediterranean. A variety of paths across four communes. Ideal if you love a good view.

🏔️ Sea & mountain views👥 Moderate

Parc du Paradou — Vallauris

Lead required

Eucalyptus and mimosa forest with views over Cap d'Antibes and the Îles de Lérins. Not very busy, and wonderfully fragrant in spring.

🌿 Eucalyptus & mimosas👥 Low

Parc du Vinaigrier — Nice Nord / Falicon

Lead required

A green haven between north Nice and Falicon, with views over the Baie des Anges and the Rade de Villefranche. The starting point for many walking routes.

🌅 Sea view👥 Moderate

San Peyre — Mandelieu-la-Napoule

Lead required

360° panorama from the top of Mont San Peyre over the Gulf of La Napoule, the Siagne valley and the Estérel. A path with some climbing and a viewpoint indicator at the summit.

🏔️ Climbing🌅 360° view👥 Low

⛔ Mercantour National Park — avoid

Not allowed

Dogs are strictly forbidden in the core of the Mercantour National Park, even on the lead and even carried. Only the outer zones are open to visitors with a dog. A magnificent destination for people, but not with your companion.

❌ Core of the park off limits✅ Outer zones OK

🐾 My advice from the field

💡
Before going into a fenced dog area, watch from the outside. Assess the atmosphere, the dogs present and the quality of their interactions. A dog area should stay a positive experience. Go in if it is calm, and leave without hesitating if your dog shows signs of stress or if the interactions go wrong.

A fenced dog area is practical, but it is not trivial for your dog. Letting your dog loose in an enclosure with strangers, without preparation, can quickly cause stress or conflict if socialisation has not been worked on properly.

📋
If your dog is reactive, fearful or has had bad experiences with other dogs, a behaviour consultation before this kind of outing can transform the experience, for both of you.

📋 Full summary

PlaceTypeLeadHow busy
Dog gardens of Nice (×9)Fenced areasOptional●●○
Dog parks in Menton (×2)Fenced areasOptional●○○
Agility park at Parc des Lucayas (Cagnes-sur-Mer) ⭐Dedicated areaDogs only●●○
Rives du Loup (Villeneuve-Loubet/Cagnes)Nature park, 55 haRequired●●●
Croix des Gardes (Cannes) ⭐Nature park, 80 haOptional●●●
Parc de la Valmasque (Mougins/Valbonne)Nature parkRequired●●○
Parc de Vaugrenier (Villeneuve-Loubet)Nature parkRequired●●●
Rives du Var (Nice/St-Laurent)Nature parkRequired●●○
Parc de la Brague (Biot/Valbonne)Nature parkRequired●●○
Lac du Broc (Carros)Nature parkRequired●○○
Parc du Sinodon (Roquefort-les-Pins)Nature parkRequired●○○
Grande Corniche (Villefranche/Èze…)Nature parkRequired●○○
Parc du Paradou (Vallauris)Nature parkRequired●○○
San Peyre (Mandelieu)Nature parkRequired●○○
Mercantour (core of the park)National park❌ Not allowed—

❓ Frequently asked questions

Where can you let your dog off the lead in the Alpes-Maritimes?

Fenced dog areas are the only places where it is legal to let your dog off the lead. In the 06: the 9 dog gardens of Nice, the 2 dog parks of Menton, and the areas of the Rives du Loup in Villeneuve-Loubet (outside the 15 April–30 June period). The Parc de la Croix des Gardes in Cannes (80 ha) also allows dogs off the lead on all its paths.

Are dogs allowed in the county nature parks of the 06?

Yes, dogs are allowed in all 17 county nature parks of the Alpes-Maritimes, but they must be kept on the lead. In summer, some parks may close temporarily because of the fire risk. From 15 April to 30 June, dogs must stay on the marked paths to protect wildlife.

Can you take your dog to the Mercantour National Park?

No. Dogs are strictly forbidden in the core of the Mercantour National Park, even on the lead and even carried. Only the outer zones are open to visitors with a dog.

Which dog parks are there in Nice?

Nice has 9 fenced dog gardens spread across different districts: the Parc de la Clua (north Nice), the Parc Chambrun (north Nice), rue Soleau (east Nice), the Jardin Pisano (Mont-Boron), the Parc Carol de Roumanie (Fabron), avenue de la Pastorelle (Fabron), the Jardin Paul Scoffier (Saint-Augustin), the Jardin de la batterie russe (Saint-Augustin/Fabron) and the Bois Sacré (Cimiez). Category 1 dogs are not allowed.

Is your dog struggling to socialise?

Reactivity towards other dogs, fear, poor recall in wide open spaces… These are exactly the situations we work on together in a personalised follow-up.

Message me on WhatsApp →

Dog trainer in Antibes · Biot · Valbonne · Puppy training