French people love their dogs. No one will argue that. From big Great Danes to little Yorkies, the French bring their dogs everywhere including places like the pharmacy and the café for an afternoon coffee — and I love it. What I don’t love is that the simple concept of picking up after your dog seems foreign to pretty much everyone. The problem with dog poop in France is real. A poo bag? What’s that?
Sure, any dog owner can empathize with someone who has been caught off-guard without a bag when little Fifi decides to take a poop. I can’t empathize with nearly every French person’s inability to pick up after their dog. Sh*t, dookie, caca — call it whatever you want. It all feels the same when it’s between your toes.
Is dog poop part of the culture? What is this France dog poop problem all about?
How do you say poop in French? Dog poop in France problem
Let’s start with the basics. Poop in French can be said a few ways. Regular old poop is informally called caca and it’s familiar like the word poo. The French word for dog poop specifically is called une crotte. Feces is les excréments or fèces and your stool if you’re talking to a doctor would be called selles.
Now let’s get to the dog poop problem in France. I’ll preface this by saying I’m sure some people pick up after their dog, although it’s not the norm but is becoming more mainstream. It even seems to be socially acceptable to leave your dog’s poop right there on the sidewalk in some areas.
Need proof of the problem with dog poop in France? These pics were all taken on the same short walk on the same day. We didn’t even have to search.
French people, listen up. I don’t know what you’re into, but if you like playing poop games and leaving your dog’s crap everywhere for whatever reason, do it on your own time in your own backyard.
Stepping in it on a public sidewalk ranks pretty low on my cool-o-meter and I’m just going to assume that you leave your dog’s poop there for a reason. Oh wait, what’s that? There’s no reason other than laziness? Of course…
In parks, there aren’t poop bag stations or anything to help you out although it’s become increasing common in the past couple of years. In pet stores, they do sell rolls of waste bags but they tend to be pricey. For whatever reason, the French haven’t caught on. So why does the simple concept of picking up after your dog seem to evade the majority? Beats me, but the France dog poop problem is real. And don’t even get me started about the Paris dog poop situation.
Some people do seem to care about the mounds of sh*t that you can’t help but step in. A neighbor posted this sign shown below after he noticed a collection of poop near his doorstep. It translates to:
PLEASE, this is a private passageway. Thanks for not allowing your dogs to leave their excrement wherever :
So what am I to do about this France dog poop problem that’s getting on my last nerve? Educate… one French person at a time. And I did!
Flash back to right after we got Dagny in the winter: I had the unfortunate experience of meeting our senior citizen neighbor. Tom had already met her once when he was out with Dagny and warned me that she doesn’t like dogs. She was coming home one evening when I was walking Dagny and I passed her when we were on the sidewalk outside her property.
After we passed by, I heard her say, “Make her go closer to the curb.” I whipped around and said, “Excuse me, madame?” not sure if she was talking to us. She directed me to the edge of the curb closest to the street and told me to stop the dog from sniffing near her property. I informed her that I don’t decide where my dog relieves herself and frankly I was happy that she was going outside (not potty trained at the time). She then proceeded to show me poop near her front door and said she didn’t appreciate it.
I told her first off, that the Rottweiler-sized poop left near her door couldn’t have come out of my 7-pound (at the time) dog, and second, that as an American and a responsible pet owner, it’s the norm to pick up after our pets.
She raised an eyebrow. I showed her the poop bag I had in my pocket and she was a bit shocked. Yeah, take that lady. Then she said have a nice evening and went inside. I knew full well she was watching us from her window, so I took Dagny to the edge of the curb and within a few minutes, she went to the bathroom. I made a HUGE deal bending over to pick up Dagny’s tiny little poop knowing the neighbor was scrutinizing our every move — like old ladies often do. I tied a nice little knot in our bright pink poop bag exaggerating my movements (so she’d be sure to see how it’s done) and put the bag in the public trash can across the street as proudly as possible. And I smiled walking away. The next time this neighbor saw me, she actually pet Dagny and smiled! Score! She’s been nothing but nice since!
So when I see a dog going to the bathroom with an owner who just aimlessly watches and then moves along leaving his “business” there, I’m the one who will go up to a complete stranger and offer him or her a plastic poop bag.
I’m the one who says, “I think you forgot something there, sir.” Yup, it’s my mission to educate one French person at a time on how to pick sh*t up — American style.
Do you have a dog poop problem where you are? Ever experienced this Paris dog poop problem? Tell me about it!
Jess @UsedYorkCity says
Hysterical! I always wondered if the “French don’t pick up sh*t” myth was true! Good for you for giving the fine furry-friend owners of France a proper American education!;-)
KC says
I am currently in Toulouse and (unfortunately) resisting a gag reflex every time I head out for a walk. This is a sad and revolting issue for visitors and yes, locals seems totally complacent! The stench in places is nothing short of stifling. I have been to Arles, Aix, Marseille and now Toulouse …the situation is worth noting for the queasy traveler. Furthermore, it seems a shame that one can rarely look up and enjoy the beauty of the city because you must keep your eyes trained to the ground in front of you. My best advice: bring/wear a pair of shoes that you don’t mind discarding. I am curious to know what french folks think when they visit other countries (with clean sidewalks).
Diane says
Yuck, yes I am always scanning the sidewalk for poop. And now that the weather is warmer (going to be 88F today, yikes!), the smell is that much more potent. I must say that I’ve seen more and more waste bag stations at parks though and many people in my neighborhood actually picking up after their dogs. So baby steps!
Meghan says
I have had the luck of stepping on dog poop in my neighborhood. But I live in an area that has gone downhill and I can’t sell my house due to the market. (couldn’t even get what I owe) I have dog poop in my front yard that does not belong to Bentley all the time. gross. I was out walking Bentley last week and someones Chihuaua had gotten out (Taco is the dogs name,and Bentley and he are buddies) Anyways Taco was following us for a portion of our walk but I was trying to find his owner, Taco ran to a womans yard and peed, she came running out screaming at me to pick up after that nasty thing.. I told her he wasn’t my dog and that I ALWAYS pick up after my dog, and showed her the bags. She said “well that nasty thing sh**’s in my yard all the time and the owner is gross and doesn’t pick it up. (not really my problem but I agree it is gross) I don’t understand, one of the things I had to consider before deciding to get a dog was if I was ok with picking up his poop, if the answer had been no, then I would not have gotten a dog.
Debra H says
Good luck on your mission. I know it is very hard to change a cultural habit like this. Hang in there and good job
Catherine says
Bravo for your boldness! Teaching the French a lesson is one thing—doing it on their turf is another, very impressive…
Diane says
I stick to old ladies and people that can’t kick my butt!
David Navarre says
Well done! On our next trip, even if we don’t take Henry (our cavalier), I think I’ll take a roll of poop bags anyway, so I can help you in your quest. I can’t believe anyone thinks something so unsanitary is acceptable, let alone an entire country.
Diane says
You know, just this weekend, David, I was in La Rochelle and in the town center, I saw little disposable waste bag stations. I was so excited but then realized after seeing three empty ones, that the French still don’t get it. I think they’re trying but it’s too cultural for them to just leave the poop.
Koren @ City Gal says
LOL!! My neighbors in NYC would KILL me if I didn’t pick up the poo! One time when I lived in Beacon Hill, a very upscale neighborhood in Boston, I threw my poop bags out in the pile of trash bags a few times, not knowing that the trash people would pick up the large bags and leave Sugar’s little pink poop bags on the street. For a month, someone on my street was cleaning them up, so I never knew! UNTIL, one day I came home to a NASTY note taped to the front of my brownstone for all neighbors to see, telling me that the trash people were not picking up the pink poop bags that the girl with the black Chihuahua leaves for the trash, and if I didn’t start throwing them in the receptacle (a couple blocks away), they were going to call the cops! HUH?! I thought I had been throwing them away with the trash the entire time!
Diane says
Oh man, you just HAVE to love notes from neighbors. Well hey, at least they finally did leave you a note and you were trying to do the right thing the whole time. That’s one step above most French people who don’t see the problem w/leaving poo everywhere.
Amanda says
Yep. This. Every time.
I’ve even had a woman stop me and thank me for cleaning up my dogs poo.
Diane says
Same here, people wait to see what I’ll do and I always have at least one bag. Sometimes I even give bags to complete strangers who leave their dog’s poop on the sidewalk. I don’t even say anything. Just hand the bag over and walk away…
Alan says
Diane,
After three months we have found the same and wonder if we are the only people that clean up after their dog.
Diane says
It’s strange isn’t it. Doubt the French like stepping in poop any more than Americans do!
Noah says
Very good information. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve book marked it for later!
Diane says
So glad you enjoyed the post. Happy to have you here!
Lisa says
I just found your website. I’ve been here a year and the looks I get from all the peeps after I pick up after my pug, Jack, is hilarious! Stepping in crap is just gross. I am going the raw route with my Jack. Apparently I have been for years a smidgen at a time. I want to borrow your ear for an hour. So many questions!!!
Diane says
Lately people have actually complimented me on my poop pick-up skills and I’ve seen more and more people using little bags. Maybe times are changing? Wishful thinking. What part of France are you in? Happy to help any way I can.
Bernie says
Ha! A friend directed me here after I posted about the copious dogsh*t here in the Languedoc where we just moved with our Cavalier King Charles. We’ve had some funny looks picking up but like you, I’m fairly elaborate about it.
There are poo bag stations, well stocked, in some public places but I’ve never seen anyone using them.
I’m very confused. Why would you want shit everywhere?
Diane says
Hi Bernie, welcome! Hope you’re enjoying France. 😉 About poop everywhere, I think it’s just a cultural thing, but something that’s slowly changing as evidenced by the poop stations and fines that say pick up after your dog in some areas. I don’t think the French want to step in poop any more than an American would, but just don’t see the the necessity of picking up after their dogs. I always bring an extra bag for a another doggie friend and show them how easy it is to pick up the poop. Education, one poop at a time!
Tchuco says
Years ago, I was living in Marseille, and some of the locals, knowing that I had been to Paris, wanted me to tell them if I had noticed a difference between the two cities. No doubt, they were expecting something about the weather, the food, etc. My answer required no reflection: “The dog shit on the sidewalks of Marseille is drier.”
Diane says
Haha I can imagine the look at their faces! But I’m sure your observations were 100% true. I always watch where I step and offer waste bags to people I see on the street in need. Happy New Year to you!
ahmed says
when i went to france for the 2nd time and stayed a little longer than the previous visit, only then i realised abt these ‘poop’ issue lol.. n yeah, it was gross (n of course it took me a step on the poop tht opened up my eyes).. 3rd time was there, me eyes were like eagles trying not to step on one… but i think paris is cleaner (in terms of poop) than lyon.. wht do u think?
Diane says
Hi there, I’ve never been to Lyon so I can’t say but Paris definitely has a lot of poop. I don’t know how I’ve managed to NOT step in poop while living in France. It’s probably my time soon. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your visits to France!
Emily says
Hey! I live in Lyon and I can say that it is just as covered in dog mess as Paris. Your post made me laugh a lot. We have a neighbour who shares our courtyard and her dog is out there all day. It can take a while for the dog poo to be cleared up. For me the most difficult part of this is knowing how best to express myself on the subject in French. I have tried “crottes de chien” and “excrament” but I always get a bit red, flustered and British mid-attempt…
Diane says
Hi Emily, thank you for commenting. Yes, dog poop is a touchy subject. I usually say “ses besoins” like “my dog did her business” instead of my “dog did a big poop.” and stick to focusing on how I “ramasser” and not so much on the crottes. But I think crottes and crottin are perfectly fine to say. I laugh when I see this cheese in the grocery store called crottin de something or other. It actually tastes good haha. Have a great day!
Stella Lee@ Purfylle says
What I find even worse then leaving the poop is picking it up and leaving the poop in the bag. Is it really that hard to throw it out?
Diane says
Where are the bags being left? You mean just picking the poop up off the grass and then putting the bag down where the poop was? Luckily, I’ve never seen that problem here! The people who actually do clean up after their dogs put it in the garbage after!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says
This is so funny! And I can verify that it is a long term problem in France. I’ve been here for 17 years, lived in 5 départements from the very north to the very south and have stepped in poop everywhere. Did you know there’s a saying that it’s good luck to tread in it with your left foot? That just proves how ingrained it is in society here that there’s even a superstition!
Ian Hicken says
Here in Spain they are generally very good at clearing their dog’s poo. Some public places have dog loos with free bags, goves and disposal bins.
Diane says
That’s great to hear, Ian. Once in a while, you’ll find a park with free bags and I love that, but it’s certainly not the norm. Not yet anyway. Thanks for stopping by!
Stephs Two Girls says
Brilliant, loved this, very funny but oh-so-true! The world needs more responsible pet owners, go you 🙂 over from #AnimalTales
Diane says
Thanks, just trying to do my part. 😉 Thank you for checking out the post!
Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says
Oh I am both laughing and crying as living in France I know all too well the huge problem that dog poop is here. When I was in Paris last year we were trying to find the steps as used in the Woody Allen Film, Midnight in Paris. Little did we know that the ally that the actor sauntered along in a straight line was the same one we had to ziz-zag down to avoid all the dog crap. Hmmm.
I find it hard to believe that anyone, let alone an (almost) entire nation can think it’s OK not to tidy up after their pets. It’s my pet hate (sniggers at her own terrible joke) picking up after our 2 bog dogs but needs must.
Thank yo so much for joining in with #AnimalTales and this timely reminder that French dog owners really do need to get tidying up.
Christina says
I have a friend here in the States who is French. She asked me to help build a garden in her backyard. I built a lovely raised garden bed and planted the vegetables, etc. In the meantime, she has a shephard mix dog who uses the tiny backyard as a toilet. When I first mentioned it could be a problem, she picked up one pile of poop-one time. After that, she ignores it, says “I don’t have time”, “what can you do, I have a dog”, etc. It’s getting harder and harder to make my way around the yard to tend to the garden-sh*t is everywhere, and the stink! And I hope she isn’t expecting me to start picking it up-its enough what I’m doing only in exchange for garden produce-I’m not getting paid. Plus I caught the dog traipsing over the garden beds! She said she will put up a fence…I hope so because it is just starting to nauseate me, and I don’t know if I even want any of the produce from that garden. Dog poop is NOT on the recommended list of fertilizers. I just can’t understand people who can accept dog crap everywhere as a way of life-there has to be some lack in the mental faculty department that is culturally ingrained. Truly disgusting!
Peach says
Well, I’ve been living a few places here in France and yes the streets are paved in dog poop and I really detest it. Especially here in Avignon, people just don’t pick up their dogs poop. Luckily I have not stepped in one yet… Xoxo
David says
Is there a law? Big problem in my small village, I work for the village and when I cut the grass in certain areas it’s disgusting.
Terry says
I have been to Paris twice, once for one week, and the second time for two. That certainly doesn’t make me an expert about Paris, including not a Parisian dog poop expert. However, I must comment about it. I had read about it before our first visit, so was prepared to be careful and have to dodge poop all over the place. Well, in three weeks of walking a LOT, we have seen one little pile in the grass in the Champ du Mars. Otherwise, not one pile of dog poop have we seen, let along stepping in or having to dodge it. Perhaps we have been exceptionally fortunate. But I think this indicates that, however it was in the past, it’s probably not a big problem there. Is it in other areas? Well, not in Versailles. But I can’t speak for other places. So it may be a pile of a problem elsewhere in France. But you may walk around Paris with your mind at ease.
Diane says
Hi Terry, that’s great news! Maybe the French are catching on and picking up more and more after their dogs. Honestly, I find a lot of dog poop in the US too — there are lazy pet owners everywhere. Many of the people in my neighborhood pick up after their dogs. Just depends. I think solid advice would be to keep your eyes open everywhere… you just never know. 😉 Thanks so much for your comment!
Chris says
What does Tom think about this? Indeed, dog poop etiquette in France is blasphemous! It’s the first thing I mention when my french teachers in class ask what I dislike most in France. On the streets, on the sidewalks…partout!! Oh god, if I had an apartment in France and had friends over, I wouldn’t let them get 2 feet inside the door without taking their shoes off…
Jürgen Vsych says
You deserve the Nobel Prize!
Scarlett says
7 years later … this is still a problem nearly everywhere in France, I despair! 22 years in the UK, I stepped in dog poo once. 4 years in France and it’s happened to me twice, and I’ve had countless near misses – I’ve just had to get better at looking down and never trusting piles of leaves!
Diane Covington-Carter says
When I lived in Aix-en-Provence, my street was on the outskirts of the ‘centre-ville’ and locals came to ‘walk’ their dogs and walked away leaving all the poop behind. I called it ‘dog poop alley’ and every day the street cleaners came with their giant machines of water and brushes, trying to clean it all up, but that was after we’d all stepped in it! Such a disgrace and it sounds like things have not improved at all since then–that was in 2000.
Anna Dell'Era says
Hi! I’m an American residing in Kembs, France(Alsace) since 1992. Our home is close to a canal(Voies Navigable de France)..A beautiful natural pathway encourages long walks and unfortunately abandoned dog poop. Dog poop has always been a challenge. Since the pandemic and the growing population of Kembs, forgotten dog poop is now a huge problem. Just yesterday, I singlehandedly shovel scooped at least 15-20 piles of abandoned dog poop. I visited the office of Voie Navigables de France and explained the challenge. I asked permission to install a sign and was given two options. If I opted to officially install a sign(one that could be easily removed when the shrubbery technicians come through to cut the canal grass), I would have to follow protocol and fill out documents(timely) and pay a yearly fee for my use of their property. Wait a sec. I would be doing a good deed for the benefit of our neighbourhood and protecting the chemical balance of the canal water by removing bacteria infested dog poop that has been confirmed to spread diseases like E. coli and salmonella, but I must pay a yearly fee? No…I opted for the less expensive option. I will install provisory signs and pray that folk change their habits. In the meantime, I installed, in intervals of 100 meters, colourful dog poop sacs tied to the branches of trees in addition to huge plastic trash bags where the used dog poop sacs could be discarded. Adjacent to our home on the canal hill, I also sprayed dog repellent and dog repellent gel. I also planted a few shrubs and white stones…These will eventually be cut down when the mowing tractor comes through… I filed a complaint at the Mayor’s office of Kembs and was given an appointment to speak with the Adjoint Representative to the Environment. In the meeting, I was able to explain to her that I had, in the past, removed human feces(two separate times) at the perimeter of our property. She shook her head, showed compassion and relayed that she had been dealing with the neglected dog poop and everyday trash challenge for the last twenty years. She explained that some French people have responded that they pay taxes so that someone else should remove their dog’s poop…..One man even told her that if it bothers her, she could pick it up….How rude is that? She told me if I come up with an ingenious idea to let her know. She also invited me to participate in the upcoming “Clean Up Our Village” project in April 2023, a project that I’ve participated in several times during my residency here. She also informed me that Kembs has approximately 10 dog poop dispenser stations. I’ve seen only one. She explained that the installation of these stations is an expensive project and the budget is tight.
By the time I placed the garbage sacs and tied the dog poop sacs on the branches of trees, it was dusk. I returned to my home where my family was waiting for dinner. Like clockwork, we noticed a flashlight, as we do each night, at the canal. I knew it was our neighbors down the street(who I never met)walking their dog. I mounted the hill and called out to them, but they ignored me. Absolutely ignored…, as if I didn’t exist. As they arrogantly trod on their way, I am positive that my irritated voice echoed in their thoughts.. I bade them to please clean up after their dog and their failure to do so would result in my contacting the police. I returned to my home. Soon thereafter, the flashlight appeared again. I again mounted the hill to initiate conversation but again, they ignored me. I followed them a bit but they continued to ignore me. So, the next day, I walked along the canal to find more dog excrement. I shovel scooped some of the dog poop in a garbage bag. I placed some dog poop in dog poop bags, left it at the top of the hill adjacent to the neighbors’ home, accented with a red dog poop sac tied on a stick. Today, I noticed that the stick and used dog poop bag had been removed along with 5 to 6 of my trash bags…all bunched and red taped together. I returned and replaced new garbage bags on the tree branches and more dog poop bags….I also composed a letter to the neighbours on my street alerting them to the fact that I have been given permission to place the bags in the trees to eradicate a problem.
I find it quite courageous of you to offer dog poop sacs to strangers who are purposely choosing to be negligent. At least they are open to your kindness. My husband and I have ordered signs and will install. Concerning the challenge we have adjacent to our property, we plan to install a camera. However, we have been told it is illegal to position the camera in the opposite direction of our home. ???? I have also been told it is illegal to take a photo of a person neglecting to pick up their dog’s poop. ???? How else can a person be held responsible and fined if we can’t show the police proof? . Nonetheless, thank you for sharing your story. You’ve given me inspiration. Blessings!
Diane says
You are a saint! Thank you for sharing your story. I can see how people think it’s no big deal behind a canal since no one else is there when their dogs do their business. But if there’s a walking path, they totally need to pick it up. Maybe in a forest somewhere off the beaten track it would be OK to leave it, but still. I hope your situation improves!
Jackie says
My neighbour in Normandy has 4 dogs that he never walks and leaves in his front garden day and night. They bark constantly. The owner never cleans up the poo any that is ever cleared is when the dogs resort to eating it themselves. The stench is unbelievable making it impossible to sit in my garden. Anyone that visits refuses to access the house from that side and I can’t even keep the door or window open. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do
april says
The expression “curb your dog” it means to take you dog off the sidwalk to caca!