Gay Guide from Paris: the best addresses

The best addresses of LGBT Paris, restaurants to trendy clubs, as well as the unmissable gay places, we tell you everything!

Is it really necessary to present Paris? Everyone knows the French capital, if only a name. Superlatives do not miss 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 richness... Paris is also a busy city of day and night, with many restaurants, operas , bars, theatres , escape games and cabarets for fun and fun. Cosmopolitan metropolis par excellence, many cultures and communities are there. The LGBT environment is no exception, it is part of the Parisian landscape with neighbourhoods and places dedicated to it. Paris has one of the largest gay neighborhoods in France, the Marais.

Would you like to organize your gay stay in Paris? You just want to rediscover gay Paris? Follow the guide, we take you to discover the best addresses to eat, drink, entertain...

The must-sees of Paris

Impossible to visit the French capital without going to greet its mythical Eiffel Tower ! Since the end of the 19th century, it has throned near the Champ de Mars, not far from the Seine. Unveiling its metal structure on the day, it glitters with a thousand lights, once per hour, when the 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-style cathedral is only accessible from outside.

If you want to feel the soul of authentic Paris, we invite you to discover the neighbourhood of Montmartre , real village in the city. From the fabulous Place du Tertre dedicated to artists to the majestic Sacred Heart , you will have the feeling of being in a place out of time.

Don’t miss visiting other must-see places in Paris: Louvre Museum , Tuileries garden , Champs-Élysées, Centre Pompidou , Seine dock...

Activities in Paris

Your weekend in the French capital is booked and you wonder what activities you could do during your stay. After visiting the city’s iconic places, what would you say about a bike ride? Paris has a great bike rental network, available in many neighbourhoods: the Vélib’ . Free to discover the different districts of the capital, or to stroll along the Seine.

Do you like art and archaeology? The Musée de Louvre is a reference in matter, with whole sections dedicated to ancient Egypt, paintings or contemporary art. Note, however, that several days must be planned to fully discover the most visited museum in France.

Do you prefer to spend time in a magical place where emotions and strong sensations are guaranteed? See you at Disneyland Paris ! This amusement park, bathed in the fabulous atmosphere of Disney’s characters, offers a lot of attractions that are all more surprising than others.

Gay neighborhoods of Paris

Paris is known to be a gay-friendly city, where respect and tolerance for gays and lesbians reign. However, a place detaches itself from the city for its reputation and its pleasant sweetness of living. When we talk about a gay environment in Paris, we immediately think about it Marais . This neighborhood is one of 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 punctuated by numerous bars, picturesque restaurants and lively gay clubs.

If you are looking for a district where to stay in Paris , especially in the Marais, you will only have the embarrassment of choice between the many Airbnb and the beautiful romantic hotels . Examples include: Relais du Marais , beautiful modern hotel located in the heart of the queer district. Not far from the Place des Vosges, Hotel Turenne Le Marais welcomes you close to restaurants and lively places in the gay environment.

Gay restaurants addresses

We love Paris for its romanticism but also for its rich and renowned gastronomy worldwide. If Montmartre is a reference in 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 forms. The setting is sleek and the atmosphere is particularly friendly.
• If you want to taste new dishes, we recommend Des Gars in the Cuisine. This restaurant with modern and crafted decoration offers an original menu, at affordable prices, with many traditional dishes revisited. The bosses and servers are adorable and worried about the satisfaction of their customers.
• Another must-see address: Place Royale, a restaurant located Place des Vosges. This pleasant and warm 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 with friends or to make new meetings! There are many opportunities in the Marais, just walk around to quickly find a place to drink a drink.

• Open Café is one of the best LGBT addresses in Paris. The advantage of this coffee is that it has a beautiful terrace where it is pleasant to drink a beer or a cocktail in the summer. It is also possible to eat delicious dishes at correct prices.
• For a virile atmosphere in a bar overlooking a pedestrian street, come for a tour Bear’s Den. This place mainly attended by bears is ideal to spend pleasant evenings between men.
• The So what, for him, is a warm lesbian bar that regularly offers theme evenings and concerts.

Gay nightclub addresses

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

• Always at the So What, which is also a nightclub, girls can come to dance and dredging weekends on varied music.
• The 3W Kafé night bar also addresses the lesbian community and has a pretty 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.
• The Frissons Box offers a unique atmosphere in a decor reminiscent of popular balls. Are you looking for warmer moments between men?
• The Bunker is a cruising club that organizes theme parties that are all more daring than others: “nu” evenings, sport atmosphere...

Gay relaxation places

After the festive evenings, you enjoy a rest and relaxation moment. Gay saunas don't miss in Paris. In the Marais district is the Sun City where you can enjoy a swimming pool, a sauna, a steam bath and several spas. The hotel also has other rooms for more naughty moments.

Not far from there is the IDM Sauna, a good gay address in Paris also very appreciated by the community. To enjoy a pleasant relaxing moment, alone or in a couple, did you think of the massage?

Othmane Masse welcomes you in the second arrondissement within 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 gay institutions.

• The Bar À la Villette, located in the Parc de la Villette, often organizes danced and lively LGBT evenings.
• Rosa Bonheur, in Buttes Chaumont Park, also programmes gay evenings, usually on Sundays.
• In Paris also takes place the largest gay parade in France, well known as Gay Pride or walk of the Darknesses. It usually takes place during June. Other events are taking place during the same period, at this Fierté parade: concerts, lectures, café-debates, lesbian evenings, contests...

Other addresses

In order for your stay in Paris to be as complete as possible, here are other addresses and places to be missed:

• L’Artishow Cabaret (onzième arrondissement) organises dinner-spectacles with beautiful representations of transformist artists.
• In the Marais district, you find many gay shops and sex shops for all your desires: Passage of the Desire, RoB Paris, Nrvrex (special leather), IEM Distribution...
• You can also find shops specializing in men’s clothing and underwear, such as Les Dessous d’Apollon Mégastore. Other stores offer men’s and women’s clothing as _Paul Smith_or only for women like Marais Heroes.
• Words at the mouth is a bookstore that sells many books, novels, BD and DVDs on the LGBT world. Violette And Co is another bookshop in the neighborhood, with a feminist tendency.
• At PinknPower you can find beautiful gay and lesbian jewelry, at affordable prices and for all tastes.