We tell you all about the best addresses in LGBT Paris, from restaurants to trendy clubs, not forgetting the must-see gay spots!
Is it really necessary to introduce Paris? Everyone knows the French capital, if only by name. There’s no shortage of superlatives to describe it: the most beautiful, the most romantic, the most surprising… Paris is loved for the beauty of its avenues, for its emblematic monuments, for its cultural and historical wealth… Paris is also a lively city, day and night, with numerous restaurants, opera houses, bars, theaters, escape games and cabarets to indulge and entertain. A cosmopolitan metropolis par excellence, many cultures and communities rub shoulders here. The LGBT community is no exception, and is an integral part of the Parisian landscape, with its own districts and venues. Paris boasts one of France’s largest gay districts, the Marais.
Would you like to make the most of your gay stay in Paris? Or simply want to rediscover gay Paris? Follow the guide, we’ll take you to the best places to eat, drink and have fun…
Paris must-sees
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It’s impossible to visit the French capital without seeing the mythical Eiffel Tower! Since the end of the 19th century, it has been enthroned near the Champ de Mars, not far from the Seine. Revealing its metal structure by day, it sparkles once an hour when night falls. From its 300-metre height, you can admire the whole city and catch a glimpse of its most famous monuments.
Located in the historic heart of the metropolis, Notre-Dame de Paris is an architectural treasure not to be missed. Partly demolished on April 15, 2019, the Gothic-style cathedral is currently only accessible from the outside.
If you want to feel the soul of authentic Paris, we invite you to discover the Montmartre district, a veritable village within the city. From the fabulous Place du Tertre, dedicated to artists, to the square in front of the majestic Sacré-Coeur, you’ll feel like you’re in a timeless place.
Don’t forget to visit other Paris highlights: the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Champs-Élysées, Centre Pompidou, banks of the Seine…
Activities in Paris
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Your weekend in the French capital is booked and you’re wondering what activities you could do during your stay. After visiting the city’s landmarks, how about a bike ride? Paris has a fantastic bicycle rental network, available in many neighborhoods: Vélib’. It’s up to you to discover the different arrondissements of the capital, or to stroll along the banks of the Seine.
Do you love art and archaeology? The Louvre is a reference in the field, with entire sections dedicated to ancient Egypt, paintings and contemporary art. Please note, however, that you’ll need several days to fully explore France’s most visited museum.
Would you rather spend time in a magical place where emotions and thrills are guaranteed? Then Disneyland Paris is the place for you! This theme park, bathed in the fabulous atmosphere of the Disney characters, offers a wide range of attractions, each more surprising than the last.
Paris’s gay districts
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Paris is known as a gay-friendly city, where respect and tolerance for gays and lesbians reign. One place, however, stands out from the rest for its reputation and pleasantly relaxed lifestyle. When you think of the gay scene in Paris, you immediately think of the Marais. This is one of the city’s oldest districts, with its narrow streets and numerous cafés. It’s where Paris’ LGBT community likes to hang out. The Marais is punctuated by numerous bars, picturesque restaurants and lively gay clubs.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Paris, especially in the Marais district, you’ll be spoilt for choice between the many Airbnb andromantic hotels. Take, for example, the Relais du Marais, a pretty, modern hotel in the heart of the queer quarter. Not far from the Place des Vosges, the Hôtel Turenne Le Marais welcomes you just a stone’s throw from the restaurants and lively gay scene.
Gay restaurant addresses
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We love Paris for its romance, but also for its rich, world-renowned gastronomy. If Montmartre is a benchmark for restaurants and culinary discoveries, the Marais also boasts some very good addresses.
- At Tata Burger, you can enjoy, as the name suggests, excellent burgers in surprising shapes. The setting is uncluttered and the atmosphere particularly friendly.
- If you’d like to try some new dishes, we recommend Des Gars dans la Cuisine. This modern restaurant offers an original menu at affordable prices, with many traditional dishes revisited. The owners and waiters are friendly and dedicated to customer satisfaction.
- Another not-to-be-missed address is Place Royale, a restaurant located on Place des Vosges. This warm and inviting place offers traditional cuisine with Mediterranean influences. You can discover delicious flavors right in the heart of Paris’ gay district.
Gay bar addresses
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There’s nothing like a bar for getting together with friends or meeting new people! Opportunities abound in the Marais, and you’re sure to find a place to have a drink just by wandering around.
- L’Open Café is one of the best LGBT addresses in Paris. The advantage of this café is that it has a lovely terrace where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail in summer. You can also enjoy delicious food at reasonable prices.
- For a manly atmosphere in a bar overlooking a pedestrian street, check out Bear’s Den. Mostly frequented by bears, it’s the ideal place to start a manly evening.
- Le So What, meanwhile, is a friendly lesbian bar with regular theme nights and live music.
Addresses of gay nightclubs
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After midnight comes the time when you feel like hanging out in clubs and other trendy places.
- Also at So What, which is also a nightclub, girls can come and dance and flirt at weekends to a variety of music.
- The night bar 3W Kafé also caters to the lesbian community, with a nice dance floor.
- Raidd Bar is renowned for its exuberant parties in a stunning setting, and is a popular venue with the LGBT community.
- La Boîte à Frissons offers a unique atmosphere in a setting reminiscent of a popular ball. Are you looking for hotter moments between men?
- Le Bunker is a cruising club that organizes themed evenings, each one more daring than the last: « nude » evenings, a sports atmosphere…
Gay places to relax
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After the festive evenings, we like to enjoy a moment of rest and relaxation. There’s no shortage of gay saunas in Paris. In the Marais district, you’ll find Sun City, where you can enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, hammam and several spas. The establishment also has other rooms designed for naughtier moments.
Not far from there is the IDM Sauna, a good gay address in Paris also much appreciated by the community. If you’d like to enjoy a moment of relaxation, alone or as a couple, have you considered a massage?
Othmane Masse welcomes you to a pleasant, relaxing space in the second arrondissement of Paris. After a session of massage and relaxation, you can enjoy a delicious cup of tea.
LGBT events in Paris
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With a very active LGBT community, Paris is the scene of numerous events of all kinds. Many regular parties are organized by various gay establishments.
- The bar À la Villette, located in the Parc de la Villette, often organizes lively LGBT dance parties.
- Le Rosa Bonheur, in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, also organizes gay evenings, usually on Sundays.
- Paris is also home to France’s biggest gay parade, well known as Gay Pride or Marche des Fiertés. This usually takes place in June. During the same period, other events are added to the Pride parade: concerts, conferences, café-débats, lesbian evenings, competitions…
Other addresses
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To make your stay in Paris as complete as possible, here are some other must-see addresses and places not to be missed:
- L’Artishow Cabaret (eleventh arrondissement) organizes dinner shows featuring performances by transformist artists.
- In the Marais district, you’ll find plenty of gay boutiques and sex shops to satisfy all your desires: Passage du Désir, RoB Paris, Nrvrex (special leather), IEM Distribution…
- You’ll also find boutiques specializing in men’s clothing and underwear, such as Les Dessous d’Apollon Mégastore. Other stores offer both men’s and women’s clothing, such as Paul Smith, or women’s only, such as Héroïnes Marais.
- Les Mots à la Bouche is a bookshop selling a wide range of LGBT books, novels, comics and DVDs. Violette And Co is another local bookshop with a feminist bent.
- At PinknPower, you can find beautiful, affordable gay and lesbian jewelry for every taste.