France · Regional bus rules
Can my dog travel on NOMAD Car in Normandie?
Checked · Official source ↗
No. NOMAD Car only takes animals under 10 kg.
What this means for you: Don’t count on a NOMAD coach to get you between towns here — either way, you’re choosing places with a station. And Normandy’s city buses are no kinder: Caen, Le Havre and Évreux are carrier only, and Rouen is said to cap dogs at 6 kg. Plan the last connection on foot or by taxi.
The rule, line by line
What NOMAD Car actually say.
- Who gets on
- Well behaved small dogs under 10 kg and other small animals — in a properly closed basket or cage, on your lap. Both conditions: the weight and the basket.
- Who doesn’t
- Any dog of 10 kg or more, and any dog outside a closed basket or cage.
- How much
- Not stated in the FAQ.
- Where they ride
- On your lap, in the basket.
- Never, whatever the size
- Anything not in a closed basket or cage.
- Where this applies
- Normandy — regional coaches. City buses are below. Double-check who actually runs your service.
- Assistance dogs
- Assistance dogs ride. Ask NOMAD what identification it wants — the FAQ doesn’t list it.
City buses are a different story (sometimes)
Dogs on city buses in Caen, Le Havre and Évreux
Regional coaches are one rule; the buses inside each town are another, set by the town’s own operator, and I read each one in the French. 0 of the 3 networks I could verify take a big dog on a lead and muzzle.
Where it’s carrier only
Three networks. A dog that fits in a closed bag or basket on your lap rides. A dog on a lead doesn’t, however calm.
“In general, animals are not admitted.” Only trained guide dogs and small pets in a properly closed basket or cage, no side longer than a metre.
Animals are refused except guide dogs, assistance dogs and working dogs with a professional card. Small dogs and cats are tolerated in a closed or purpose-made carrier bag (integrated lead).
“For everyone’s comfort”, only small animals in a basket or bag and assistance dogs are admitted.
Checked 13 September 2026. Local rules change more often than the area rule — recheck the week you travel.
Your next step
So what do you do instead?
Three alternatives, in the order I’d try them.
- Choose a location that’s serviced by a train.Ideally a station in the town itself, not a railhead half an hour out. Look at the walk from platform to front door before you book — a dot on the map isn’t the same as an easy last connection with a big dog.
- Walk it.Under about 3 km on a proper path, walking usually beats the alternatives — and it’s the one option nobody can refuse you.
- Book a taxi, an Uber, or a private car service.Check they take dogs, and book before you go. Turning up at a rank with a 30 kg dog and no arrangement is where these trips actually fall apart.