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Pascal Fonquernie manages ParisMarais who arrange the rental of luxurious apartments in
the heart of the gay Marais district of Paris. Here he gives his own insiders view
of Parisian gay life and style For the past five years a revolution has been developing in the peaceful, elegant and bourgeois Parisian sky. Over the last few years Paris, which is the world's most visited city, has become the world's most gay city as well and in March 2001 became the first capital to elect an openly gay mayor. In a France which is going rather conservative, Paris remains the city of freedom and tolerance with the worst result for the extreme right in the recent election. | |
| The gay district is set in the historical centre known as Le Marais. Most of this now protected district was built in the 16th and 17th century. In today's Paris, Le Marais is made of the 3rd and 4th districts. It is one of the most fashionable districts, and most expensive to live in too. For 30 years now, the city council and the government have improved the area and progressively restored most of the beautiful houses and palaces that had been left abandoned for years. It's now The place to be and stay. With an open attitude to all foreign visitors, Paris has now one of the biggest gay scene in Europe with over 300 gay places to go out, 40 sex clubs, hundreds of excellent restaurants and bars, and new friendly accommodation services. |
Archives Tourelle |
Paris is now not only the city of lights, but also of rainbow sunlights.
Here is my selection of the best of Gay Paris:
BARSCafé BeaubourgRue Saint Martin 75004 Facing the Pompidou Centre at its south corner, this trendy café designed by Philip Starck offers good food and drinks at any time of the day, nice terrace to sit in the sun.
Open Café
Cox RESTAURANTSSans SouciElegant and stylish venue for a candlelit dinner 29 Rue de Poitou 75003 Tél: 01 49 960 969
Le Réconfort
Grizzli Café
La Fontaine Gourmande
Le Valet de Carreau
Le dos de la Baleine
Au Tibourg TEA HOUSESMariages FrèresRue du Bourg Tibourg 75004. This very exclusive tea house boasts a super chic clientele and offers the choice of more than 400 different teas. They do great breakfast and brunch on Sunday mornings (24 Euros) Make sure you book in advance.
L 'Apparement Café SEXDocks150 Rue Saint Maur. Tel: 0143 57 33 82. Type: Video leather club, cabins, slings Clientele: Gay men. Metro : Goncourt. Recommended. Late opening until 4 am weekends. Good on Sunday afternoon too. Lots of raunchy action.
Le Keller
Full Metal
Rexx SAUNASIDM4 Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre Tel: 0145 23 10 03. Type: Body-building studio with sauna, steam. Clientele: Gay men. Metro : Grands Boulevards (formerly Rue Montmartre) One of the hottest saunas in the city.
Univers Gym
Bastille Sauna | |
ACCOMMODATIONParismaraisRomantic flats in historic houses rented for a week or more direct from the owners. They offer a selection of superb flats from a single guestroom to a beautiful penthouse with jacuzzi. 3 to 4 star standards with charm and a very personal welcome. Contact info@parismarais.com
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They provide online booking of gay hotels in Paris and apartments in the Gay Marais district. They also offer guided walking tours to gay areas and places of interest. |
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| Paris Overview | |