Breakaway Gay & Lesbian Travel Guide

France is a very friendly destination for gay and lesbian visitors. One of the most popular gay and lesbian events on the globe is Paris' annual Gay Pride Parade & Festival, which is held each summer.

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Lesbian Paris may best be described as the capital of hedonism, City of Light or better even City of Delight. Its lesbian scene can be characterized as colourful and plentiful judging by the abundance of recent clubs, bars, saunas and gyms.

But in Lesbian Paris things are best done under a cover of "charm". Where else in the world do you find lesbian establishments on a street called des Mauvais Garçons (the "bad boys" street). Maybe Paris competes with London as the only other European city that offers such a large choice of lesbian venues.

The Marais District - Centre of Lesbian Paris

The centre of lesbian Paris life is the Marais district. It is a gorgeous old neighbourhood that has become an expensive, fashionable residential area. Clustered here are the city's hottest bars along with many lesbian restaurants and shops, in particular on the streets (all in the 4th district):

Lesbian life is not limited to the Marais. Traditionally the harder, leather scene has been nearer to the Bastille (rue Keller) while in more recent years also many lesbians tend to go out in the more popular areas of the 11th district (e.g. canal St. Martin, rue St. Maur) where many places may be a mix of straight/lesbian. Out of the hundreds of lesbian sports associations, restaurants, bars, video arcades, saunas, dance and sex clubs, many are spread all over Paris.

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