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The Gay Guide of Paris: The Best Places

The best addresses in LGBT Paris, from restaurants to trendy clubs, including gay must-sees, we tell you everything!

Is it really necessary to present Paris? Everyone knows the French capital, if only by name. There is 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 bustling city day and night, with many restaurants, opera houses , bars, theaters , escape game-sand cabarets for fun and entertainment. Cosmopolitan metropolis par excellence, many cultures and communities rub shoulders with it. The LGBT community is no exception, it is an integral part of the Parisian landscape with districts and places dedicated to it. Paris notably has one of the largest gay districts in France, the Marais.

Do you want to organize your gay stay in Paris as well as possible? Do you simply want to rediscover gay Paris? Follow the guide, we take you to discover the best places to eat, drink, have fun…

The essentials of Paris

Impossible to visit the French capital without going to greet its legendary Eiffel Tower ! Since the end of the 19th century, it has stood near the Champ de Mars, not far from the Seine. Unveiling its metallic structure during the day, it sparkles with a thousand lights, once an hour, when night falls. From the top of its 300 meters, you can admire the whole city and see its most famous monuments.

Located in the historic heart of the metropolis, Notre-Dame de Paris is an essential architectural treasure. Partly destroyed on April 15, 2019, the Gothic cathedral is currently only accessible outside.

If you want to feel the soul of authentic Paris, we invite you to discover the Montmartre district , a real village in the city. From the fabulous Place du Tertre dedicated to artists to the forecourt of the majestic Sacré-Coeur , you will have the feeling of being in a timeless place.

Also Read: 25 Essential Things to Do in Paris

Do not miss to visit other essential places in Paris: Louvre museum , Tuileries garden , Champs-Élysées, Pompidou Center , quays of the Seine…

Activities in Paris

Your weekend in the French capital is reserved and you wonder what activities you could do during your stay. After visiting the emblematic places of the city, how about a bike ride? Paris has a great bicycle rental network, available in many neighborhoods: the Vélib ' . You are free to discover the various districts of the capital, or to stroll along the Seine.

Do you like art and archeology? The Louvre museum is a reference in the matter, with entire sections dedicated to ancient Egypt, paintings or contemporary art. Note however that it takes several days to fully discover the most visited museum in France.

Do you prefer to spend time in a magical place where emotions and thrills are guaranteed? See you at Disneyland Paris ! This amusement park, bathed in the fabulous atmosphere of Disney characters, offers a large number of attractions, each more surprising than the last.

Also Read:  19 Walks to Do Around Paris

Gay districts of Paris

Paris is known for being a gay-friendly city, where respect and tolerance for gays and lesbians reign. A place stands out from the city, however, for its reputation and pleasant way of life. When we talk about the gay community in Paris, we immediately think of the Marais . This district is among the oldest in the city, with its narrow streets and numerous cafes. This is where the LGBT community in Paris likes to meet. The Marais is dotted with numerous bars, quaint restaurants and lively gay clubs.

If you are looking for a neighborhood to stay in Paris , especially in the Marais, you will be spoiled for choice between the many Airbnb and the magnificent romantic hotels . Let us quote for example theRelais du Marais , nice modern hotel located in the heart of the queer district. Not far from the Place des Vosges,The Turenne Le Marais Hotel welcomes you close to restaurants and lively gay places.

Gay restaurant addresses


Crédit Photo : Shutterstock – MarinaD_37

We love Paris for its romanticism but also for its rich gastronomy and recognized throughout the world. If Montmartre is a reference in terms of restaurants and culinary discoveries, the Marais also has very good addresses.

  • At Tata Burger, you can taste, as its name suggests, excellent burgers with surprising shapes. The setting is refined and the atmosphere particularly friendly.
  • If you want to taste new dishes, we recommend Des Gars dans la Cuisine. This restaurant with modern and worked decoration offers an original menu, at affordable prices, with many traditional dishes revisited. The owners and waiters are adorable and concerned about the satisfaction of their customers.
  • Another essential address: Place Royale, a restaurant located Place des Vosges. This pleasant and welcoming place offers traditional cuisine with Mediterranean influences. You can discover delicious flavors near the gay district of Paris.

Gay bar addresses

Nothing like a bar to meet friends or to meet new people! There are many opportunities in the Marais, you just have to walk there to quickly find a place to have a drink.

  • The Open Café is one of the best LGBT addresses in Paris. The advantage of this cafe is that it has a beautiful terrace where it is pleasant to drink a beer or a cocktail in summer. It is also possible to eat delicious dishes at fair prices.
  • For a manly atmosphere in a bar overlooking a pedestrian street, come visit Bear's Den . This place mainly frequented by bears is ideal to spend pleasant beginnings of evenings between men.
  • The So What , meanwhile, is a lesbian friendly bar which offers regular theme nights and concerts.

Gay nightclub addresses


After midnight come the hours when you want to meet in clubs and other trendy places.

  • Also at So What, which is also a nightclub, the girls can come dance and flirt on weekends with varied music.
  • The 3W Kafé night bar also caters to the lesbian community and has a nice dance floor.
  • The Raidd Bar is renowned for its exuberant evenings in an amazing setting, it is a place very appreciated by the LGBT community.
  • La Boîte à Frissons offers a unique atmosphere in a setting reminiscent of popular balls. Are you looking for warmer moments between men?
  • The Bunker is a cruising club that organizes themed evenings, each one more daring than the next: “naked” evenings, sporting atmosphere…

Gay places to relax

After the festive evenings, we like to enjoy a moment of rest and relaxation. There is no shortage of gay saunas in Paris. In the Marais district is the Sun City where you can enjoy a swimming pool, a sauna, a hammam and several spas. The establishment also has other rooms planned for more naughty moments.

Not far from there is the IDM Sauna, a good gay address in Paris which is also very popular with the community. To enjoy a pleasant moment of relaxation, alone or as a couple, have you thought of massage?

Othmane Masse welcomes you in the second arrondissement in a pleasant and relaxing space. After a massage and relaxation session, you can enjoy a delicious tea.

LGBT events in Paris


With a very active LGBT community, Paris is the scene of many events of all kinds. Many regular evenings are organized by different establishments in the gay community.

  • The À la Villette bar, located in the Parc de la Villette, often organizes dancing and lively LGBT evenings.
  • Rosa Bonheur, in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, also has gay evenings, usually on Sundays.
  • In Paris also takes place the largest gay parade in France, well known under the name of Gay Pride or Pride March. This usually takes place during the month of June. Other events are added to this Pride parade during the same period: concerts, conferences, café-debates, lesbian evenings, contests…

Other addresses


Photo credit: Facebook - Cabaret Artishow

To make your stay in Paris as complete as possible, here are other essential addresses and places not to be missed:

  • The Artishow Cabaret (eleventh arrondissement) organizes dinner shows with beautiful representations of transformist artists.
  • In the Marais district, you will find a good number of gay and sex shops for all your desires: Passage du Désir , RoB Paris, Nrvrex (special leather), IEM Distribution…
  • You will also find boutiques specializing in men's clothing and underwear, such as Les Dessous d'Apollon Mégastore. Other stores offer clothing for men and women like Paul Smith , or only for women like Hoinenes Marais.
  • Les Mots à la Bouche is a bookstore that sells many books, novels, comics and DVDs on the LGBT universe. Violette And Co is another bookstore in the neighborhood, with a feminist tendency.
  • At PinknPower, you can find great gay and lesbian jewelry, at affordable prices and for all tastes.
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