⚠️ What to know 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
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 optionalParc 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.
East Nice — 2 areas
Lead optionalRue Soleau — Riquier / Le Port / Mont-Boron area.
Jardin Pisano (Jardin du tunnel de Mont-Boron) — Mont-Boron, calm and green.
West Nice — 4 areas
Lead optionalParc 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.
Nice Cimiez — 1 area
Lead optionalBois Sacré — on the Cimiez hill, close to the Roseraie du Monastère. An exceptional, leafy setting.
📍 Menton — 2 fenced dog parks
10 avenue Blasco Ibanez & 115 corniche Serres de la Madone
Lead optionalTwo 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.
📍 Agility park — Cagnes-sur-Mer
Agility park at Parc des Lucayas — Cagnes-sur-Mer
⭐ New in 2025Funded 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.
📍 Parc de la Brague — Valbonne / Biot / Cagnes-sur-Mer
Parc des Rives du Loup
Lead required55 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).
🟢 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.
⭐ Parc de la Croix des Gardes — Cannes
Lead optionalThe 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.
Parc de la Valmasque — Mougins / Valbonne
Lead requiredDozens 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.
Parc du Paradou — Vallauris
Lead requiredEasy to reach, flat, green and shady. A classic in the Antibes/Villeneuve-Loubet area, ideal for senior dogs or outings with a pushchair.
Parc des Rives du Var — Nice / Saint-Laurent / Carros
Lead requiredA linear walk along the Var through several communes. Access from the airport as far as Lingostière. Ideal for long walks with no climbing.
Parc de la Brague — Biot / Valbonne
Lead requiredA nature trail following the River Brague for several kilometres. Shady and calm, with places where your dog can cool off in the river.
Lac du Broc — Carros / Le Broc
Lead requiredA 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.
Parc du Sinodon — Roquefort-les-Pins
Lead requiredThree 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.
Parc de la Grande Corniche — La Trinité / Villefranche / Èze / La Turbie
Lead requiredAn exceptional panorama over the hinterland and the Mediterranean. A variety of paths across four communes. Ideal if you love a good view.
Parc du Paradou — Vallauris
Lead requiredEucalyptus and mimosa forest with views over Cap d'Antibes and the Îles de Lérins. Not very busy, and wonderfully fragrant in spring.
Parc du Vinaigrier — Nice Nord / Falicon
Lead requiredA 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.
San Peyre — Mandelieu-la-Napoule
Lead required360° 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.
⛔ Mercantour National Park — avoid
Not allowedDogs 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.
🐾 My advice from the field
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.
📋 Full summary
| Place | Type | Lead | How busy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog gardens of Nice (×9) | Fenced areas | Optional | ●●○ |
| Dog parks in Menton (×2) | Fenced areas | Optional | ●○○ |
| Agility park at Parc des Lucayas (Cagnes-sur-Mer) ⭐ | Dedicated area | Dogs only | ●●○ |
| Rives du Loup (Villeneuve-Loubet/Cagnes) | Nature park, 55 ha | Required | ●●● |
| Croix des Gardes (Cannes) ⭐ | Nature park, 80 ha | Optional | ●●● |
| Parc de la Valmasque (Mougins/Valbonne) | Nature park | Required | ●●○ |
| Parc de Vaugrenier (Villeneuve-Loubet) | Nature park | Required | ●●● |
| Rives du Var (Nice/St-Laurent) | Nature park | Required | ●●○ |
| Parc de la Brague (Biot/Valbonne) | Nature park | Required | ●●○ |
| Lac du Broc (Carros) | Nature park | Required | ●○○ |
| Parc du Sinodon (Roquefort-les-Pins) | Nature park | Required | ●○○ |
| Grande Corniche (Villefranche/Èze…) | Nature park | Required | ●○○ |
| Parc du Paradou (Vallauris) | Nature park | Required | ●○○ |
| San Peyre (Mandelieu) | Nature park | Required | ●○○ |
| 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.
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