Traveling through France on a jaunt across Europe, or as a standalone gay vacations destination, is a trip that everyone should experience at least once. With snowcapped alps, the magnificent French Riviera, world famous art collections, pristine beaches, pastoral landscapes dotted with medieval castles, villages and ruins that tell the story of Frances diverse history, and the truly exquisite cosmopolitan city of Paris, travelers are sure to find exactly what they are looking for when visiting this unique country.
While visitors on gay vacations tend to stay around Paris to enjoy the accepting atmosphere that Paris is known for, while experiencing the heart of Frances LGBT culture and visiting the citys famous cultural and historical landmarks, travelers will find that Paris accepting atmosphere extends across the country and there are plenty of LGBT establishments and things to see and do no matter where you travel in France. For over 200 years, Frances community has enjoyed life without anti-sodomy laws, and civil unions have been commonplace for the last decade. With both the law and the laissez-faire attitude common among the French on their side, LGBT travelers will find France an enjoyable place and offers many wonderful gay tours.
Visitors will find a number of community festivals and events taking place throughout the year in different parts of the country, including pride celebrations in many cities, a gay and lesbian film festival in Paris and Paris world-famous pride festival and parade. A gay vacation in Paris should also include a stop at the Legay Choc bakery in the Marais district, as well as the collection of male images at ArtMenParis and the female impersonation cabaret shows at LArtishow, Madame Arthur and Chez Michou. Paris nightlife often starts early with bars opening in the afternoon, followed by clubs opening around midnight and thumping the night away, often until noon.
Men interested in exploring the bawdier side of Paris gay vacations 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.
Most gay travel hotspots cater largely to men, have little to no visible lesbian presence and offer few establishments dedicated to the lesbian community. Women will be delighted to discover that this is not the case in Paris. Parisian lesbians and visitors enjoy a multitude of venues and organizations that can be found throughout the city, but particularly in the neighborhoods of Marais, Grands Boulevards, Halles-Beaubourg, Saint Germain des Pres and Palais Royal. Palais Royal is home to one of the oldest lesbian bars in Paris, while the Bastille-Republique district has a delightful community bookstore with a distinct Sapphic flare. There is also a lesbian walking group and even a sex shop that caters solely to women.
Although Paris might be the most visited gay vacation destination in France, many other options are available throughout the country, including Avignon in Provence, Montpellier and Nice on the Mediterranian coast, Annecy in the Alps, Nantes in Brittany and the nude community beaches of Camargue. For those who hope to rub elbows with the rich and famous, Saint Tropez on the French Riviera should not be missed, while those looking for a romantic retreat might opt for an LGBT-owned B ... B outside of Bourdeaux. With so many gay travel options to choose from, France is truly an ideal setting for gay romance travel.
While visitors on gay vacations tend to stay around Paris to enjoy the accepting atmosphere that Paris is known for, while experiencing the heart of Frances LGBT culture and visiting the citys famous cultural and historical landmarks, travelers will find that Paris accepting atmosphere extends across the country and there are plenty of LGBT establishments and things to see and do no matter where you travel in France. For over 200 years, Frances community has enjoyed life without anti-sodomy laws, and civil unions have been commonplace for the last decade. With both the law and the laissez-faire attitude common among the French on their side, LGBT travelers will find France an enjoyable place and offers many wonderful gay tours.
Visitors will find a number of community festivals and events taking place throughout the year in different parts of the country, including pride celebrations in many cities, a gay and lesbian film festival in Paris and Paris world-famous pride festival and parade. A gay vacation in Paris should also include a stop at the Legay Choc bakery in the Marais district, as well as the collection of male images at ArtMenParis and the female impersonation cabaret shows at LArtishow, Madame Arthur and Chez Michou. Paris nightlife often starts early with bars opening in the afternoon, followed by clubs opening around midnight and thumping the night away, often until noon.
Men interested in exploring the bawdier side of Paris gay vacations 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.
Most gay travel hotspots cater largely to men, have little to no visible lesbian presence and offer few establishments dedicated to the lesbian community. Women will be delighted to discover that this is not the case in Paris. Parisian lesbians and visitors enjoy a multitude of venues and organizations that can be found throughout the city, but particularly in the neighborhoods of Marais, Grands Boulevards, Halles-Beaubourg, Saint Germain des Pres and Palais Royal. Palais Royal is home to one of the oldest lesbian bars in Paris, while the Bastille-Republique district has a delightful community bookstore with a distinct Sapphic flare. There is also a lesbian walking group and even a sex shop that caters solely to women.
Although Paris might be the most visited gay vacation destination in France, many other options are available throughout the country, including Avignon in Provence, Montpellier and Nice on the Mediterranian coast, Annecy in the Alps, Nantes in Brittany and the nude community beaches of Camargue. For those who hope to rub elbows with the rich and famous, Saint Tropez on the French Riviera should not be missed, while those looking for a romantic retreat might opt for an LGBT-owned B ... B outside of Bourdeaux. With so many gay travel options to choose from, France is truly an ideal setting for gay romance travel.
About the Author:
Insights brought to you by Howie Holben for gay vacation trips in France. Spirit Journeys, his company, and has a excellent gay vacation guides.
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