Introduction

Gai Paris? Well yes and no. Unlike somewhere like Gran Cranaria you don't go to Paris specifically for the gay scene. There is so much to see even if it means being a tourist to spend all day looking for bars.

Getting there:

Getting there has never been easier. With the opening of the channel tunnel a few years ago it has never been easier to jump on the Eurostar at Waterloo for a weekend break in Paris.

So what about PARIS!

First, where should you stay?

Well, the gay hotels advertised in various guides are not necessarily the best in town We can however recommend the Hotel Central Marais which is in the heart of Le Marais.

You should be looking for hotels in Le Marais (the gay area of Paris for over a decade now) or close to Les Halles. We can recommend the Hotel de la Bretonnerie, Beaubourg Hotel,(both in the Marais) and Hotel New Candide - close to Bastille (a stone's throw from The Marais District). These hotels are gay friendly, have about 50 rooms and offer a clever combination between the modern comfort and the Parisian hotelier's tradition - 3 stars.

We personally used the Rough guide to Paris and have stayed in a couple of hotels just south of La Rue St Denis. This area is literally a couple of mins walk from a large number of gay bars plus fast food outlets and cafes. We were surprised at how cheap the hotels were compared to London, and although the rooms were basic, the rooms were clean and sufficiant for for sleeping. After all you're here to see the tourist attractions not spend the whole weekend in bed. (or is that the other way round)

Hotels / Gay Friendly Accommodation.

Absolu Living - Apartments

Absolu Living offers the gay and lesbian community a selection of high quality furnished apartment rentals for a great gay hotel alternative – during your travel in Paris and Nice, France choose a gay furnished apartment rental and feel at home abroad! Instead of a gay hotel room, choose Absolu Living, the gay and lesbian hotel alternative for apartment rentals in Paris, Nice, France and rent a fully furnished apartment for short-term or long-term. Absolu Living - gay and lesbian hotel apartment and accommodation rentals for short term or long term – furnished apartment rentals in gay paris, gay nice, and gay france - bed and breakfast for gay and lesbian travelers – gay and lesbian travel agency France Address: Passage de l'Ancre, 75003 Paris, France Tel: +33 (0)1 44 54 97 00, Fax: +33 (0)1 44 54 97 17 Website: Click here Email: info@absoluliving.com

Paris Apartment - Le Marais (gay district)

On Rue Beaubourg, Paris, an english owned stylish studio apartment in the heart of the Marais (gay district). Accommodation sleeps 2/3 adults to rent all year round from £45/night, min 3 nights stay. NON-SMOKING.Gay and lesbian friendly. Close to Nightclubs, bistros, shopping. Visit web site and/or e-mail for availability & quote. Address: Rue Beaubourg, Paris, France Tel: (UK) 01995 601143, Fax: 01995 601143 Website: Click here Email: enquiries@apartmentparis3.co.uk

GRAND HOTEL DE CHAMPAGNE Paris
	Gay friendly luxury hotel close to Paris gay scene in the Marais district. Address: 17 RUE JEAN LANTIER, Paris, 75001 Tel: 00 33 1 42 36 6000, Fax: 00 33 1 45 084333 Website: Click here Email: champaigne@hotelchampaigneparis.com

Parismarais luxury studios and flats run indepentently by an association of private owner who let their own flats at certain times of the year. From a single guestroom in a luxury flat to a romantic studio for 2 or a big 3 room flat…They are all located in le marais district, and provide you the comfort of your own home with a very friendly welcoming www.parismarais.com minimum rental 5 nights, booking via internet only. From 50£ a day.

Hôtel Central Marais * 33 rue Vieille du Temple 75004 - PARIS Métro Hôtel de Ville Tel: +33-(0) 1.48.87.99.33 - Fax: +33-(0) 1.42.77.06.27 the only and oldest gay hotel in paris, friendly but not comfortable and overpriced from US$80

Hotel Rivoli Notre Dame *** very charming hotel in the gay district, not gay but open minded 11 rue du bourg tibourg 75004 Paris metro hotel de ville price from 90 USD per day.

Hotel Beaumarchais *** 3 rue oberkampf 75011 Paris tel +33 (0) 53 36 86 86 New gay friendly hotel, small rooms but comfortable and close to le marais 80 to 110 USD

Hotel de la Bretonnerie 22 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie PARIS 75004 France Tel. : +33 1 48 87 77 63 Fax: +33 1 42 77 26 78

Beaubourg Hotel, 11 rue Simon Lefranc, PARIS 75004, France
Tel. : +33 1 42 74 34 24 Fax: +33 1 42 78 68 11

Hôtel Louxor ** 4 rue Taylor 75010 - PARIS Métro République Tel: +33-(0) 1.42.08.23.91 cheap and gay friendly but very basic from 60 USD

Small Gay owned Hotel - Les Iris situated in eastern suburb of Alfortville

------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, you have now settled and it is time to eat...but wait, this is Paris and you should take part in the famous "Happy Hour" from 7-9 pm at Bar Quetzal and Le Cox, (see listings below).

Restaurants:

Amadeo Restaurant 19, rue François Miron 75004 Paris.
Tel. : 01 48 87 01 02. Metro : Hôtel de Ville. Small Gay restaurant where they will play classical music or opera every night. The food is superb and the service impeccable. Good value for money.

L'Amazonial 3 Rue Saint Opportune. Tel: 014233-5313. Type: Brazilian/International cuisine, Sunday brunch. Clientele: Heavily lesbian and gay. Metro stop: Chatelet/Les Halles. Friendly, queeny, but disgusting food ! does not give a good image of french food !

Le Sofa 21 rue Saint Sabin 75011 Paris
BAR / RESTAURANT gay mixed à la Bastille, Paris. Open Tuesday to Wednesday from 6 pm to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 2 Am. Tél: +33 1 43 14 07 46

Le Divin. 41 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie. PARIS 75004. France
Tel. : +33 1 48 87 77 63 Fax: +33 1 42 77 26 78 Metro : Hôtel de Ville
19h30 to 23h00 Traditional and Provencale cuisine.

Fond de Cour Restaurant 3, rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004,Paris
Tel. : 01 42 74 71 52. Metro : Hôtel de Ville

Le Bar Vagabond: 14, rue Therese. Metro Pyramide. 75001 Paris
Tel. : 01 42 96 27 23 Metro : Pyramides Intimate cocktails, elegant dining and great bar. 18h00 to 02h00, closed on mondays.

Le Valet de Carreau, 2 rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003, Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 72 60 This very inventive gay owned restaurant offers great value for money.

Mariages Freres in the centre of the Marais District, rue du Bourg Tibourg 75004. This very exclusive tea house (not gay, but with a large gay clientele) offers the choice of more than 400 different teas, they offer great breakfast and brunch on Sunday mornings. Make sure you book in advance !

Bars and Clubs

So, you are now fed, it is time to try Paris' bars, and there are many of them : over 60 in Le Marais district ! We recommend that you try the Open Cafe (17 rue des Archives, 75004 Paris). It is a good place to start the evening and has the two following advantages: It is in the heart of Gay Marais and offers a display of free gay publications (you will find all you need to know in the weekly "E-MALE" or the monthly "ILLICO" and DOUBLE FACE).

Bars are open late in Paris (till 2 am) so that leaves you plenty of time for bar hopping - It is very hard to advise you on bars as they all cater for different types. The most popular bars are Le Cox, Quetzal, (both great for "Happy Hour" from 7-9 pm), the Banana Cafe, for a young and fashionable crowd, the Piano Zinc, a typical berliner's style cabaret with entrance charge, and a lot more! Please note prices of drinks are expensive with beers generally in the region of £5 a bottle. Better to have a couple of bottles of wine with a meal in a good restaurant.

For sex clubs try Le QG, Le Trap (Mon), and Les Docks (Sun afternoon). For Leather and SM try Le Keller, Le Rude, Mec Zone, and Le Transfert.

An enormous gay complex (900 m2 !) has opened in the centre of Paris. On three different levels, Le Dépôt offers a gay bar, a night club, a video sex-club with cabins and a well equipped hard bar (slings, crosses, cages, showers, uro space, and so on...) Those who know Berlin will immediately think of the mythical Connection. Of course, you'll be able to go from one part of the club to another, or to go only to the hard club.

Night Clubs are never busy before 1 AM, so don't get there too early. For a better understanding of what each Night Club offers on the night you are in Paris, it is best to refer to your free publications.

The most famous Gay Night Club in Paris is, of course, Le Queen (102 Avenue des Champs Elysee), best nights are on Mondays : a disco revival and Saturday: Techno

One good tip about Paris on Week End Nights: Finding a Taxi in the middle of the night is a nightmare. Ask before you leave an establishment where the next taxi rank as this will save you some time. If you stay in the centre, don't worry, everything is from walking distance.

If you are travelling alone in Paris, you might want to visit other establishments. Paris has plenty of sex clubs to offer (from l'Arene to La Luna ( best on Tuesdays) or the Docks, (on Sunday afternoon) but the best thing is to let you discover them by yourself. There soon will be a new place, said to be the biggest of all called The Depot, rue aux ours 75003. On 900 square meter, it will include a disco, several bars, a leather bar and a sex club, all at once!

Another option to spend your Sunday afternoon (especially if the weather is bad and you feel you have done enough sightseeing...) is to try Paris' famous Saunas. Some favourites :

Univers Gym (20/22 rue des Bons Enfants, 75001)- a hot young crowd, IDM (4 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009)- with a great gym room and hundreds of cabins! and ..

Key West (141 rue Lafayette, 75010) - very clean and spacious sauna close to the Gare du Nord.

And what about shopping and culture? Well, Paris has certainly a lot to offer here too. Do not miss out on the Chevignon Shop, the Gallery Lafayette and Le Printemps Blvd Hausmann, the Marche aux Puces of Montreuil. As for culture, how about checking out the Picasso Museum (rue de Thorigny - near Le Marais), The Catacombes (1 place Denfert-Rochereau, 75014) or the Centre George Pompidou in Les Halles (amazing cultural centre - http://www.cnac-gp.fr.)

Well, I hope that you will have found the above of some interest.

Until then... Have a good time!

Bars, Coffe Shops and Clubs:

Paris 1er

Banana Cafe * 13 Rue de la Ferronnerie. Tel: 014233-3531. Type: Bar with entertainment. Clientele: Younger gay males. Metro stop: Chatelet/Les Halles. Expensive drinks and pretentious brainless queens under 22. 2 Levels. Gogo dancers on Thurday, Friday and Saturdays.

Le Bar 5, rue de la Ferronerie, 75001, Paris

Tel. : 01 40 41 00 10 Metro : Châtelet les Halles from 14h00 Bar with music disco, dance, techno. Hot basement (fee) the evening.

Le Transfert 3 rue de la Sourdiere Metro Tuileries. 75001 Paris

Tel. : 01 42 60 48 42 from 23h00. Jeans/leather. Very hot after 1h00.

Le Tropic Café 66, rue des Lombards 75001 Paris
Tel. : 01 40 13 92 62 Metro : Châtelet les Halles 16h00 to 05h00.
Warm atmosphere. Palm trees. Nice terrace.

Le Bar Vagabond 14, rue Therese. Metro Pyramide. 75001 Paris
Tel. : 01 42 96 27 23 Metro : Pyramides Intimate cocktails, elegant dining and great bar. 18h00 to 02h00, closed on mondays.

Paris 2e

La Champmesle 4, rue Chabanais. 75002 Paris Tel. : 01 42 96 27 23 Metro : Bourse from 18h00. closed on sundays. Lesbian bar. Show on thurdays.

Fire 56 rue d'Argout 75002 Paris Metro : Sentier or Les Halles

Paris 3e

Le Dépôt 10, rue aux Ours 75003 Paris Tel : (+33) 01 42 77 03 31

Le Duplex 25, rue Michel le Comte 75003 Paris Tel. : 01 42 72 80 86 Metro : Rambuteau 20h00 to 02h00. Young artists exhibitions

One Way 28 rue Charlot Tel. : 01 48 87 46 10 Metro : Republique 17h00 to 02h00 Moustaches/leather. Bears meetings. Video in basement.

Opium Cafe 5, rue Elzevir Metro Saint Paul 10h00 to 02h00 Baroque atmosphere.

Unity Bar 176-178, rue Saint Martin 75003 Paris Tel. : 01 42 72 70 59 Metro : Rambuteau

Paris 4e

Amnesia Cafe ** 42 Rue Vieille-du-Temple. Tel: 014272-1694. Type: Artist's bar/cafe. Clientele: Mied, very gay-friendly. Metro stop: Hotel de Ville. yes ! very friendly

L'Arène 80 Quai de l'Hotel de Ville 75004 Paris Bar, cabins, slings, etc

Bar Bi 23 rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie 75004 Paris Metro : Hôtel de Ville 16h00 to 02h00. Shows. DJ and strip-teases on week-ends. 2 bars.

La Brigade 23, rue de Rivoli Metro Hotel de ville. 15h30 to 02h00. Theme nights twice a month. Friendly.

Bar du Palmier 16, rue des Lombards Metro Chatelet. 17h00 to 05h00. Small restaurant. Terrace. Friendly.

Le Cafe Chantant-Karaoke 12 rue du Platre Metro Hotel de Ville. 18h00 to 02h00 Karaoke every evenings. Very friendly.

Le Central 33, rue Vieille du Temple 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 48 87 99 33 Metro : Hôtel de Ville 14h00 to 02h0

Coffe Shop 3, rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 74 24 21 Metro : Hôtel de Ville

Le Cox 15, rue des Archives 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 72 08 00 Metro : Hôtel de Ville 14h00 to 02h00.

Eclache et Cie 10, rue Saint Merri 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 74 62 62 Metro : Hôtel de Ville

L'Ekivok 40, rue des Blancs Manteaux Metro Hotel de Ville.

L'Equinox 33-35 rue des rosiers. Metro Hotel de ville. 19h00 to 00h00, closed on mondays. Shows thurdays and fridays. Food from Quebec. Friendly.

Le Feeling 43 rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie Metro Hotel de Ville. 14h00 to 02h00.

Mic Man 24, rue Geoffroy l' Angevin Metro Rambuteau. 12h00 to 02h00. Friendly. Video in the basement.

L'Oiseau bariole 16, rue Ste Croix de la Bretonnerie. Metro Hotel de ville. 10h00 to 05h00. Bar where you can listen to music in peace.

Okhawa Bar/Café 40, rue Vieille du Temple 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 40 84 30 69 Metro : Hôtel de Ville 08h00 to 02h00. Coffe-shop, bar the evenings. Little restaurant and small prices.

Open Café 17, rue des Archives 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 72 26 18 Metro : Hôtel de Ville 10h00 to 02h00. Small restaurant. Jazz ambiance.

Le Petit Picard 42, rue Ste Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 78 54 03 Metro : Hôtel de Ville

Le Piano Zinc 49, rue des Blancs manteaux 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 74 32 42 Metro : Rambuteau 18h00 to 02h00. 3 levels. Piano bar from 22h00, with live songs and yourself on stage if you want. A must for friendship.

Le QG 12, rue Simon-le-Franc Metro Hotel de Ville. 17h00-08h00. Jeans/leather. Very hot. No entry for older people.

Quetzal 10, rue de la Verrerie 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 48 87 99 07 Metro : Hôtel de Ville 14h00 to 03h00.

Le Rude 23 rue du Temple 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 42 74 05 15 Metro Hotel de Ville. 21h00 to 02h00.

Les Scandaleuses 8, rue des Ecouffes 75004 Paris Tel. : 01 48 87 39 26 Metro : Hôtel de Ville - Saint Paul 17h00 to 02h00. Lesbian bar. Friendly. Expos. Videos. The guys has to be with a girl to enter.

Skeud: 35, rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie Metro Hotel de Ville. 15h00 to 02h00. Djs. 2 levels.

Thermik Bar: 7 rue de la Verrerie Metro Hotel de Ville. 16h00 to 02h00. Bar in basement. Very warm. Theme evenings.

Paris 5e

Elysa: 6 rue Gay-Lussac. RER Luxembourg.

Le Petit Prince 12, rue Lanneau 75005 Paris Tel. : 01 43 54 77 26 Metro : Maubert Mutualité

Paris 6e

Le Trap 10, rue Jacob 75006 Paris Tel. : 01 43 54 53 53 Metro : Odéon Underwear party on Monday is very popular. No entry for older people.

Paris 9e

Mec Zone 27, rue Turgot Metro Anvers. 75009 Paris Tel. : 01 40 82 94 18 21h00 to 02h00. Near Montmartre. Videos. Crusing.

Paris 11e ---------------- Le Keller 14, rue Keller 75011 Paris Tel. : 01 47 00 05 39 Metro : Bastille 22h00 to 02h00. Near Montmartre. Videos. Crusing.

Paris 14e ---------------- Au Feu Follet 5, rue Raymond Losserand 75014 Paris Tel. : 01 43 22 65 72 Metro : Gaîté

Summary

We personally love Paris for a short weekend break. We've been twice in recent years for long weekends. Admittedly living in London makes the journey easy. For someone wanting a tourist weekend Paris has it all. Stunning architecture, fascinating shops, thousands of varied cafe bars and restaurants. The gay scene is admittedly smaller than say London, although Queens on Le Champs Elysees is fun and the boys in Banana Cafe are gorgeous. Go on treat yourself. Stay in for a couple of weekends prior, save your money and treat yourself.

Credits: Many thanks to John at No7 Hotel, Brixton, London and Pascal at www.parismarais.com in helping put this guide together. If you would like to offer any additional information or update any of the information in this guide please feel free to email us.