Gay Paris

Ah le gay Paris! While France may seem on the somewhat conservative side, Paris is the gayest city in the country, with Le Marais neighborhood being at the heart of gay life in Paris. Le Marais (French for 'the Marsh’) is a beautiful, historic district in the center of Paris, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of the French capital. Since the 1980s, Le Marais has been the soul of gay Paris, and it is recognized as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Europe. Parisian campaigners celebrated in Le Marais after the Gay Marriage bill passed on April, 2013. Each year, the area is also the meeting point for thousands of Paris Gay Pride participants. 

Le Marais very much has a medieval vibe to it, with narrow streets and architectural masterpieces. Gay bars and lesbian cafés, restaurants, nightclubs, sex-clubs and more can all be found here, mostly near the southwestern section of Le Marais, next to the City Hall (Paris was the first capital to elect an openly gay mayor, Bertrand Delanoë in 2001) and in the Jewish district, along Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie, Rue du Temple and Rue des Archives.

Le Marais is home to dozens of gay and gay-friendly establishments and a vibrant nightlife with plenty of gay restaurants such as Who’s, 4Pat (gay-themed pasta), Des Gars dans la Cuisine, Tata Burger or Les Marronniers, gay bars (Raidd Bar, Open Café, Cox; FreedDJ), a gay bookstore and even a gay baker (check these penis-shaped baguettes!), popular gay sex shops, nightclubs, hair salons, gyms, gay saunas and some raunchy sex-clubs like the world-famous Le Depot - a must-visit.

Spread your wings in Gay Paris

Don’t be afraid to leave Le Marais and explore the rest of gay Paris: visit Montmartre, the Champs Elysées, or the Eiffel Tower, spend time at the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame. Enjoy a typical dish like in a cute restaurant, drink a café in a neighborhood bar, or unwind in one of many gay saunas. And when night comes, check out our Gay Guide Paris: you'll find hundreds of gay bars, clubs, restaurants and saunas spread all over the city, making Paris gay life a delight to discover. 

Next to Le Marais, Les Halles is another very gay-friendly area in Paris. Along the Rue des Lombards and around, Les Halles used to be the main Paris gay area before Le Marais. Le Banana Café, the Sly Bar, La Boite, and The Labo are only some of the Paris gay bars waiting for you with happy hour and go-go dancers!

Consider a trip to gay Paris in late June, and enjoy the two craziest days Le Marais has to offer: Fête de la Musique on June 21, is a hedonistic celebration of summer with a huge outdoor party in the very center of the gay area; and a few days later, Paris Gay Pride on the last Saturday of June. Paris Gay Pride, locally called Marche des Fiertés, is France's biggest pride event. 

Paris gay men make this city a really unique destination. So make sure to put Paris on your gay travel bucket list, and make it all the better with a misterb&b Paris stay. Choose from cozy apartments, entire apartments, or swish gay and gay-friendly hotels, and enjoy everything the City of Light has to offer. Vive la France!