Gay Paris Paris City Guide

Paris is a spellbinding metropolis for all things chic; from her gourmet delights, architectural treasures and abundance of cultural pleasures to her famed fashion legacy and vibrant nightlife, the enchanting city of lights is a savvy seductress intent on stealing hearts. With a myriad of museums, gorgeously-lit bridges and green spaces to discover, Paris is the perfect place for intimate promenades and post-sundown dawdling. Whether your ideal day consists of scouring for vintage books along the Seine, hitting a bevvy of boutiques and open-air markets, or world-watching from a cosy café corner, be sure to spare some time to devour artwork at the Louvre, shop the ritzy Avenue Montaigne and enjoy at least one candle-lit dinner in the glittering vicinity of the Eiffel Tower. Paris is truly one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities, particularly so in gay nightlife hotspot Le Marais, as well as queer-friendly Quartier Pigalle and Bois de Boulogne. Plan ahead to make every moment count with our definitive Paris gay guide.

Where to stay in Paris

Discerning gay travellers seeking the pinnacle of Parisian luxury need look no further than the city’s most exclusive addresses. The Cheval Blanc Paris, LVMH’s first urban hotel, commands an enviable position overlooking the Seine and Pont Neuf. This Art Deco masterpiece houses just 72 rooms and suites, each offering stunning views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The crowning glory is undoubtedly the Dior Spa, featuring a 30-metre swimming pool, whilst the rooftop restaurant Le Tout-Paris presents a contemporary take on the traditional French brasserie, complete with sweeping views of the City of Light.

Nestled in the heart of the fashionable Marais district, Le Pavillon de la Reine epitomises discrete luxury. This ivy-clad 17th-century mansion, set back from the magnificent Place des Vosges in a private courtyard garden, offers an intimate retreat from the bustling streets outside. The hotel’s 56 rooms and suites seamlessly blend period features with contemporary comforts, whilst the atmospheric spa, complete with wood-beamed ceiling and exposed stone walls, provides the perfect sanctuary after a day of exploration.

Cheval Blanc Paris

A stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, La Réserve Paris occupies a Haussmannian mansion that expertly channels the opulence of French aristocratic life. The property’s 40 rooms and suites feature silk-clad walls, velvet drapes, and herringbone oak parquet floors. The two-Michelin-starred Le Gabriel restaurant serves innovative French cuisine, whilst the intimate library bar, reserved exclusively for hotel guests, recalls a private gentleman’s club with its dark wood panelling and deep leather armchairs.

For those seeking Italian hospitality with Parisian flair, J.K. Place Paris brings Milan-based architect Michele Bönan’s distinctive style to the Left Bank. Situated in the former European Consulate, the hotel artfully combines French and Italian aesthetics across its 29 rooms and suites. The property’s location, moments from the Musée d’Orsay, places guests at the epicentre of Paris’s cultural heart, whilst the intimate Sisley spa provides a tranquil escape below ground.

Meanwhile, Hotel Lutetia stands as the only grand hotel on the Left Bank, embodying the area’s artistic heritage. This Art Nouveau gem has been meticulously renovated, reducing the room count to create larger, more luxurious spaces. The result is 184 rooms and suites featuring marble bathrooms and custom-made furniture, complemented by the sophisticated Bar Joséphine, named after regular guest Josephine Baker. The subterranean Akasha spa, complete with a 17-metre swimming pool, hammam, and sauna, offers a serene environment for post-sightseeing relaxation.