LGBTQ+ travelers in France: what to do, where to stay

In June, the Tricolour turns rainbow

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Reading time: 0 minPublished on 25 April 2023

From the bustling boulevards of Paris (host to the 2018 Gay Games) to the charming cobblestone streets of the South, France is a destination par excellence for LGBTQ+ travelers. With vibrant Pride parades and inclusive activities and lodgings, France is proud to be a top destination for everyone. With Pride month in full swing, Get ready to explore! Our curated guide offers the best places to visit and stay for a truly inclusive French adventure.

LGBT Q+Friendly Lodging

Where to stay 

  • Boutique/quirky: Jules et Jim, Paris. Nestled in  Le Maraisa gay friendly neighborhood the hotel (named after the Truffaut film) is set in a former 18th century precious metal factory. The small hotel is also home to a bar and arts space. According to CNN, it's "homey, but chic enough to suit the avant-garde vibes of the 3rd arrondissement and nearby Pompidou Museum." 
     
  • Luxury: L’Hotel, Paris. One of the most intimate 5-star hotels in Paris, it’s also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant and a rich guest history (it’s said that Marlon Brando stayed there, and it’s where Oscar Wilde spent his final days). 
    Hotel Windsor, Nice. The 19th century facade hides a contemporary art treasure trove, as well as modern luxuries like a sauna, fitness center and pool in the captial of the Côte d'Azur. 
     
  • Mid-range: Hotel H33, Nice. Featuring a variety of rooms (double, twin, quad, and quin), this melon-colored hotel is just 5 minutes from the old town and the world-famous Promenade des Anglais. 
     
  • Contemporary: Mama Shelter in Bordeaux provides the classic Bordelais in modern style, with a rooftop overlooking the city and a restaurant manned by Guy Savoy. 
     
  • Gay-only guesthouses: Le Moulin de Titet in Toulouse and La Villa Littoral in Montepellier (the former 30 min from downtown, the second a resort-type lodging near the beaches of Southern France) are ideal if you're looking for a gay-only stay in an intimate setting.
     
  • Hostel: Villa Saint Exupéry Beach, Nice. Built in a former casino, this accomodation is in the center of Nice and offers all the sociability of a hostel with the 5-star facilities of a hotel. 
     
  • Houseboat: L'Apparte des Anges is a floating pardise on the Canal du Midi—the houseboat offers a unique stay with a pool, AC and proximity to Mediterannean naturist beaches.

Restaurants & nightlife for LGBT+ travelers

  • Le Quinquina, Toulouse. A typical French bar with al fresco seating, this is the ideal spot to grab a cocktail and rub elbows with LGBT Toulousains or fellow travelers.
  • le G-Bar, le G-Boy, Toulouse. The biggest gay bar and gay dance club in Toulouse, this is a can't-miss for party animals in Occitanie.
  • Le Coxx, Montpellier. This gay bar in the seaside town of Montpellier is the perfect mix of warm and electric, often hosting live music.
  • Rosa Bonheur, Paris: A guinguette-style café in the heart of Buttes-Chaumont Park, Rosa Bonheur has a general-interest program with DJs and electronic collectives, and Sunday is one of the most popular days for the LGBT community and their friends.
  • Le Cox, Paris: The Cox has been open since 1995. It is located in the heart of the Marais in one of the main streets of this neighborhood, where the life and activity of gay Paris revolves. The Cox remains one of the busiest and most famous establishments in Paris. It is best known for its terrace, popular between 6-10 pm. The clientele includes bears, hipsters, clubbers, and lovers of very good sound. The daily happy hour has become an inescapable tradition in the life of the Marais.
  • Café Voulez-Vous, Paris: This café-restaurant is a comfortable place to have a drink, sip a cocktail or eat in the heart of the Marais. -Le Badaboum, Paris: Not a just a bar or club, this is a multidisciplinary hotspot for your evenings in Paris. The Badaboum is both a cocktail bar, a concert hall, a club and a hidden bachelor apartment on the first floor.
  • Le Dépôt, Paris: The mythical gay club of Paris open 7 days a week offers a DJ every night, as well as cruising, and is open on two levels on weekends.
  • Le Glam, Nice. Art gallery decor meets disco vibe at Le Glam, with theme parties every weekend.
  • Buster Bar, Bordeaux: Bordeaux' favorite cruising bar, Buster is open every day of the week, with theme nights and a Sunday night cocktail from 8pm-midnight.
  • QG de Monbadon, Bordeaux: Their mission statement says it all: "A meeting place for all libertines: heteros, gays, and transgender people" in the heart of Bordeaux.
  • Le Caveau, Biarritz: this is the LGBT club par excellence in Biarritz, and has been since it opened in the 80s, with a reputation for crazy parties lasting until dawn and a welcoming spirit. Here diversity is queen, between identities, attractions, and generations.
  • Le Kitsch, Biarritz: The classic LGBT bar, this is one of the best spots to grab a drink for LGBT+ travelers in the Pays Basque.

LGBT sites across France

LGBT events in France

By Andrew Milne

Andrew Milne is the content coordinator for us.france.fr, juggling original creations, translations, and social media—as well as his endless quest to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie. He's a self-described foodie, wanderlust victim, and history nerd. Andrew has traveled extensively in Europe, studied in Paris and worked as an assistant teacher in Pau. Contact: [email protected]

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