LGBT-Friendly Lodging
• Boutique/quirky: Jules et Jim (External link) , Paris. Nestled in the gay-hotspot of Le Marais, 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 (External link) , it's "homey, but chic enough to suit the avant-garde vibes of the 3rd arrondissement and nearby Pompidou Museum."
• Luxury: L’Hotel (External link) , 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).
•Luxury: Hotel Windsor (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) 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 (External link) in Toulouse and La Villa Littoral (External link) 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) 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 (External link) , Toulouse. The biggest gay bar and gay dance club in Toulouse, this is a can't-miss for party animals in Occitanie.
- Le Coxx (External link) , Montpellier. This gay bar in the seaside town of Montpellier is the perfect mix of warm and electric, often hosting live music.
- Rosa Bonheur (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) : 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) , Nice. Art gallery decor meets disco vibe at Le Glam, with theme parties every weekend.
- Buster Bar (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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 (External link) , 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
- Toulouse LGBT Center (External link)
- Montpellier LGBT Center (External link)
- Nice LGBT Center (External link)
- Les Mots à la Bouche, bookstore in Paris: One of the last of its kind, this bookstore in Paris' gayborhood Le Marais is where you can find any and all LGBT publications (External link) , from novels to comic books to nonfiction tomes.
- Librairie Vigna LGBT et féminisme (External link) , bookstore in Nice: here bibliophiles can find theoretical texts, crime novels, poetry, books on film, entertainment, dance, fashion and fine arts tomes, all seeking to reflect LGBT culture and feminist values.
LGBT events in France
- Pride Parade, Toulouse (External link) : June 10, 2023
- Pride Parade, Montpellier (External link) : June 25-26, 2023
- Pink Parade, Nice (External link) : July, date TBD.
- Pride Parade (External link) , Paris: June 25, 2023
- Pride Parade (External link) , Bordeaux: June 1-29, 2023
- Pride Parade (External link) , Biarritz: June 17, 2023
- Festival de Femmes (External link) , Paris. Hosted each March in the Paris region, this 10-day event helps present the rich world of women in cinema.
- Ciné-Marges-Club (External link) , Bordeaux. Created in 2000, the festival is a weeklong cinematic exploration of "sex, gender, and identity." April 1-9, 2023
- Lou Queernaval (External link) , Nice: The first Gay Carnival in France was held in February 2020. Normally this event is associated with the Carnaval de Nice held every winter.
- Rencontres In&Out, Nice (External link) : An annual LGBT film festival held in the capital of the Côte d'Azur. April 6-15, 2023
- European Snow Pride (External link) : March 18 to 25, 2023. European Snow Pride finds a rocking home for its week of music, parties, and world-class skiing at Tignes Station.