|
Whether as a stop on a tour through Europe, or a standalone vacation destination, France offers gay travel
tours at world-renowned beaches, snow-covered alps, bucolic countryside dotted with castles and remnants of France’s long history, some of the most amazing art collections in the world, the fabulous French Riviera and, of course, the truly exceptional, unique city of Paris.
While folks on gay vacations often stay in Paris for the thriving LGBT community life, popular historical and cultural landmarks and the high level of acceptance, travelers will find LGBT establishments, a welcoming environment and plenty to see and do throughout France. Anti-sodomy laws came off of the books over 200 years ago and civil unions provide important civil rights that the American LGBT community is still fighting for. These legal protections, coupled with a universal French belief in respecting privacy, staying out of other people’s business and allowing others to live as they see fit, provide a foundation for a safe, accepting atmosphere for a gay vacation.
There are several community events throughout the year, including a huge pride parade and festival and a gay and lesbian film festival in Paris, as well as several smaller pride celebrations across the country. Other Paris attractions that should not be missed on a gay vacation include ArtMenParis, an art gallery devoted solely to images of men; Legay Choc, an LGBT-owned bakery in the Marais district; and Chez Michou, Madame Arthur and L’Artishow, cabarets featuring female impersonators. As for the Paris nightlife, bars are typically open from afternoon until 2am; whereas, clubs often do not open until midnight and stay open as late as noon.
Men interested in exploring the bawdier side of Paris gay vacations and travel tours will find that cruising spots, bars with backrooms and sex clubs are easy to find and quite popular with visitors, as well as locals. Saunas, aka bathhouses, are also plentiful; however, they work a bit differently in France than they do in America or Canada. French saunas do not have private rooms, but rather cubicles that are set aside for a bit of privacy, and they are not 24-hour operations. Most of the activity takes place in the afternoon, rather than the evening or night, and Sunday afternoons are particularly popular.
Lesbian travelers often find that gay travel destinations are filled with bars, clubs and saunas for the men, with barely a hint of lesbian presence to be found; however, this is definitely not the case in Paris, where women will find a delightful blend of groups and venues dedicated to lesbians. From walking groups to sex shops that cater solely to women, Paris has much to offer to the women’s community. Paris is home to several clubs and bars located in varied neighborhoods, including the Palais Royal, Saint Germain des Pres, Grands Boulevards and Halles-Beaubourg districts, as well as many options in the Marais neighborhood, known as the center of LGBT life in Paris. One of Paris’ first lesbian bars can be found in the Palais Royal district and the Bastille-Republique neighborhood is home to a community bookshop.
While Paris may be the most popular gay tour
spot in France, there are many others to choose from as well, including Nantes in Brittany, Avignon in Provence, Annecy in the Alps, Nice and Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast and, of course, the popular community beaches of Camargue, where naturism is the norm. Saint Tropez on the French Riviera is another spot to visit in hopes of catching a glimpse of the rich and famous, while an LGBT-owned bed and breakfast outside of Bourdeaux is the ideal setting for a romantic getaway. The many options available for gay travel vacations in France make this beautiful country the perfect destination for a gay vacation.
|
