Many regard Paris as a fashion and food capital, one of the most influential cities in the world. But beyond all that, Paris is also a prominent gay capital. The city offers a lot of great places, from famous hotspots to cool districts, where the LGBTQ+ community can flourish and live out loud and proud. And even in this day and age, where other places in the world still condemn and marginalize the community, the French capital is as much a refuge as it is a haven. It's all thanks to spots like Le Marais, Les Mots à la Bouche, and Le Little Café, among many others—the best places to visit when you're gay in Paris.
Le Marais District
Among Paris's neighborhoods, Le Marais is considered as the 'gay district' in the city. It's here where you'll find many LGBTQ+ hotspots, from hipster cafés to provocative nightclubs and more! Incidentally, many places on this list are located in this part of the French capital. Although you can say that most queer people are safe in Paris, Le Marais has stood out as a great haven for the community. There's just something about how open and liberated this part of the city is. So much so that the LGBTQ+ folks can feel at home here!
Source: Flickr.com/ Henrik Berger Jørgensen
Centre LGBT Paris
Located on Rue Beaubourg in the (unsurprisingly) Marais district, the Centre LGBT Paris aims to help and keep safe the LGBTQ+ community in the city. If you're a queen person and you're in need of help, this is the best place to turn to! The Centre LGBT Paris serves as a safe space for queer people. When they want to learn more about the community, this place teaches everything they need to know. When they're in need of legal and professional help with regard to discrimination and the like, this place can provide as much assistance as possible. And of course, during
Pride Month in Paris, the Centre LGBT Paris ensures that the celebrations go smoothly.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Les Mots à la Bouche
Les Mots à la Bouche stands in the
11th arrondissement as a great hangout for when you're gay in Paris! As far as bookstores in the city are concerned, this is the best place to get as much queer literature as you want. Various books on the LGBTQ+ community run abundant here, some of which you won't even find anywhere else. However, do note that many of the books sold here are written in French. If you don't know the language, you'd do well to
learn it before you check this place out!
Source: Librarie Les Mots à la Bouche Facebook Page
Le Little Café
Le Little Café is a French bistro on Rue du Roi de Sicile in the Marias district, the gay neighborhood in Paris. It's thanks to its location that it's become a regular hangout among the LGBTQ+ community in the French capital. When you're gay in Paris, you've probably heard a lot of your queer friends talk about this hotspot. It's even highly likely that they invited you out to eat here too. Although there's nothing specifically queer about the café, it just so happens that many members of the LGBTQ+ community have chosen this place to hang out over the years. It helps that their food is fantastic too!
Source: Le Little Café Facebook Page
La Fabrique à Gâteaux
Speaking of food, buying patries at La Fabrique à Gâteaux is an absolute must! Not only do they offer delicious treats that are to die for, but it's a Lesbian-run bakery worth supporting. They may not have penis-shaped baguettes like what other shops offer, but you will find incredible treats that are as sweet as can be. Think delectable bonbons, M&Ms baked in cookies and mouth-watering cupcakes. They sound amazing, don't they? Furthermore, if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community who
lives in Paris, isn't it your duty to support queer businesses in the city?
Source: La Fabrique à Gâteaux Facebook Page
Le Petit Prince de Paris
Le Petit Prince de Paris is somewhat of an institution in Paris. This chic rouge-toned bistro on Rue de Lanneau has long served as an LGBTQ+ hangout since it first opened in 1976. And from then until now, it has remained a Paris gay staple. It's. a great place to get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine after a hard day's work. If you're lucky, you might even catch a drag show or two while you're here. And when you want to meet other queer people in the French capital, rest assured, you'll find someone in this Le Petit Prince de Paris!
Source: Le Petit Prince de Paris Facebook Page
Cabaret Michou
When you're gay in Paris, you've probably heard about Cabaret Michou a lot! It's a Paris cabaret that's practically reserved for the LGBTQ+ community. But you won't necessarily find scantily-clad dancers here. This place is all about camp! Think drag queens who put on outstanding lip-sync performances or perform stand-up comedy that will have you laughing out loud for hours. Or local artists who since their hearts out, even when the audience's applause is already drowning them out. Cabaret Michou is such a prominent gay spot in Paris that it was even featured in the hit Netflix show, 'Emily in Paris,' on its
second season!
Source: Cabaret Michou Facebook Page
When you're gay in Paris, the city feels and looks a lot more colorful. And it isn't just because of the rainbow flags either. There are a ton of awesome places to visit when you're gay in Paris, each more exciting than the next!
