Paris Gay Travel Guide 2025

Upcoming Events in Paris

|  15 April 2025
Werq The World 2025: the stars from RuPaul's Drag Race on tour in Paris with their new show.
|  18 – 20 July 2025
Paris Summer Cup 2025: official tennis tournament sanctioned by the GLTA, the worldwide Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance.
@ Paris Jean Bouin Tennis (9 Avenue de la Porte Molitor )
|  27 July 2025
Tour de France 2025: finale of the world's most important annual bicycle race in Paris @ Champs-Élysées

Accommodation Tip

Hotel, gay-friendly. ****, from 190 €
Gay-friendly stylish boutique hotel in the Marais quarter. Air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms. Professional and helpful staff.
@ 11 Rue des Gravilliers
Paris 75003
Metro: Rambuteau, Arts et Métiers

About Paris and its gay life

man visiting inner-city district of Paris

Paris is certainly one of the top 3 travel destinations in Europe, and for the author of these lines it is the most beautiful one. Considering how many wonderful cities in Europe had been destroyed in the last war and didn't gain their former beauty and fame, yet, after 80 years, Paris is truly a treasure and miracle.

You could stay in Paris for months or visit Paris again and again, and you would still see other beautiful and interesting spots if you explore the city with curiosity and open eyes. Just stroll around a bit and do not only follow the routes in your travel guide book.

If you come to Paris not only to visit the Louvre and other sights but wanna dive into the Parisian life, then try to avoid August. Many Parisians take their long vacations in August and some companies are even completely closed. In the gay scene even the most popular gay clubs and bars won't be very crowded or will be empty or closed.

The gay center of Paris is the Marais, an old district in the 4th arrondissement of Paris with adorable, narrow streets breathing centuries-old history. You'll find a lot of gay bars, cafes and shops here, as well as plenty of gay-friendly restaurants, most of them quite close to each other, creating a bit of a ghetto atmosphere.

Gay Parisians can be a bit difficult when it comes to flirting. If you dare to show your interest to somebody in a direct way, you could easily be seen as too needy, too easy or too cheap. Our two euro cents of advice: don't waste your time with behaviour research to understand the rituals and peculiarities of flirting in the gay scene of Paris. Just do it your own way and don't take the Parisian rudeness personally.

Besides, it is often said that Parisian guys come and stick in groups. Exploring Paris with friends can really make a difference, both at day and at night.

The annual gay highlight in the French capital is the Paris Gay Pride in summer, called ›Marche des Fiertés LGBT‹ in France.