The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.
Most of Paris’ gay nightlife is concentrated in the trendy area of the Marais, which is also known for its boutique shopping, delicious food, and classically Parisian narrow streets. However, there is also a cluster of popular gay bars in Chatelet (which is close to the Marais) as well as several other venues spread out across the city. Larger dance nights tend to take place further out from the center, and gay saunas can be found throughout Paris.
It is also worth noting that because of Paris’ unique approach to city design, whereby historic buildings are continuously preserved and new builds are practically nonexistent, rooms tend to be on the smaller side. However, this is also what makes Paris such an exceptionally beautiful city, and is after all part of the charm.
Paris is, as a whole, an exceptionally gay-friendly city, meaning you are likely to find mixed gay/straight crowds across the board. France as a whole is very tolerant of homosexuality, with Paris having voted its first openly gay mayor back in 2001. Visitors to gay Paris are unlikely to raise any eyebrows and will be generally welcome.
The most booked hotels for gay travelers are located in Le Marais.
Marais is Paris’s main gay area, a trendy yet classically charming central neighborhood. While the vast majority of establishments are here, there are a few exceptions around the city.
Accommodation in Paris is, generally speaking, very pricey. This is why we have included few luxury options (these tend to be prohibitively expensive) and focused on unique, charming, boutique hotels in excellent locations.
♥ Excellent central location for sightseeing and nightlife
♥ Located in the Marais, gayborhood about a 5-minute walk to major attractions
♥ Very high standard for a 3-star, with good value for money
Hotel Caron is located in the Marais, about ten minutes away from the main cluster of gay bars. Nearby attractions include the Picasso Museum, Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame, the Chatelet shopping area, and Place des Vosges, which is just a 5-minute walk away.
This gay-friendly Paris hotel is relatively no-frills, but well-designed and pleasant nonetheless. The decor is stylish, modern, and understated. Rooms are on the smaller side (which is normal for Paris) but are always impeccably clean, with super comfy beds and good bathrooms.
All rooms have the standard amenities (such as air-conditioning/heating, TV, and WiFi), but there are also a few thoughtful extras to set the hotel apart, such as a minibar with complimentary soft drinks and snacks, free recent movies on demand, and toiletries by L’Occitane.
Breakfast is simple but high-quality, served in a lovely vaulted cellar. The service at Hotel Caron is particularly well-rated, with friendly English-speaking staff who are keen to enhance your stay in any way they can.
♥ Excellent location for sightseeing and gay nightlife in the Marais, gayborhood
♥ Pleasant and comfortable rooms
♥ Great value for money for a hotel in the city center
This 3-star hotel is located near the historic Place des Vosges, easy walking distance to Bastille, Notre Dame, Centre Pompidou, and the Marais district. It’s approximately a 10-minute walk to the gay bars in the Marais, but there are also plenty of other great nightlife and entertainment options in the area.
The rooms are decorated relatively simply, but highlighted with murals referencing Parisian architecture and art. The room size is of a usual Paris standard, but the layout never feels cramped. Bathrooms are very modern and well-designed, and on the whole guest facilities are exceptionally clean and well-maintained.
There is nothing extravagant about the hotel, but everything it does it does well and with great attention to detail. The breakfast is tasty, the staff is helpful, and the rates are usually quite reasonable for Paris standards. For these reasons, Hotel Turenne Le Marais has a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and is popular with gay visitors to Paris.
♥ Excellent location for sightseeing and nightlife
♥ 10 minutes by foot to Marais, Paris’s main gayborhood
♥ Some of the comfiest beds in Paris
Les Tournelles is located just around the corner from Place des Vosges, one of Paris’ most historical city squares. Within a short 15-minute walk, you can reach the Picasso Museum, Carnavalet Museum (dedicated to the city’s history), Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame, and Bastille, with many more classic Parisian sights just a bit further. More importantly, the gay bars of the Marais are just 10 minutes away.
This gay-favorite hotel has all the hallmarks of a great boutique stay: warm service, stylish design, snug comfort, and unique, individually decorated rooms. The whole place feels like a home away from home (albeit a particularly trendy one), with lovely rooms that feel more like a nicely decorated bedroom than a hotel room. The beds, in particular, are some of the best you are likely to find.
Most 3-star hotels in Paris do not have a bar, so Les Tournelles’ cozy lounge with honesty bar, Nespresso machine, guest library, and selected newspapers and magazines is a very welcome feature. The Parisian breakfast is tasty and fresh, served in a beautiful stone cellar with vaulted ceilings.
♥ Apartment-style rooms for ultimate comfort in the city
♥ Great location, including easy Metro access to the whole city
♥ Less than a minute’s walk to Banana Café (a popular gay bar)
Citadines Les Halles offers apartment-style accommodation in one of the most central locations in Paris. Les Halles is the city’s largest shopping center and is also a major transport hub: the Metro station of Chatelet (just one minute away from the hotel), connects to almost every public transport line in the city.
Nearby, you will find the Centre Pompidou, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and last but not least the Marais gayborhood. However, there is actually a good-sized gay nightlife in the Chatelet area itself, with Le Velvet, The LABO, and Paris gay institution Banana Cafe just a stone’s throw away from the hotel.
The apartments are all comfortable and fairly spacious, ranging from studio size to 1-bedroom. The 1-bedroom apartment can sleep four people, making it a very convenient option for groups. There is not too much difference between the Studio and Studio Deluxe rooms, aside from a sofa and iPod docking station in the latter. All rooms come with air-conditioning, kitchenette, and high-speed internet.
The hotel also offers a good range of amenities, including self-service laundry, a business corner, and a basic fitness suite (if you need a better workout, popular gay gym and sauna Gym Louvre is less than 10 minutes away).
Citadines Les Halles has two TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awards, and is a popular choice for gay travelers to Paris.
♥ Great location close to gay nightlife in Marais and Republique
♥ Clean, comfortable rooms with all the basics
♥ Good value for money for a hotel in Paris gayborhood
Le Relais du Marais is one of the most booked budget gay-friendly hotels in Paris. It is located a bit north of the Marais, but still within easy walking distance of its gay bars, clubs, and shops. It’s also just a short 5-minute walk of Apollo Theatre, which regularly hosts many beloved gay parties such as EXCITE, MENERGY, and La Nuit des Follivores. Trou Aux Biches, another popular gay dance party, is held at Le Java, about ten minutes further down the road from Apollo.
The hotel itself is no-frills, offering overall good value for money. The rooms are modern and well-designed but some are looking a bit tired in places. They are, however, comfortable and always perfectly clean. The rooms are also quite small, even for Parisian standards, but this is to be expected for the price you pay in such a good location.
This is a good choice if you are on a budget, want to stay centrally, and just need a clean, cozy place to lie your head at night.
♥ Excellent location in a quiet area that is still close to everything
♥ Gay nightlife venues just a short walk away
♥ Good value for money for a hotel in central gayborhood
♥ Small hotel sauna
This hotel is located in the north of the Marais – still close to the gay nightlife, but in a quieter area. There is a popular gay bar very close by (One Way, with a primarily leather/denim/bear crowd) as well as a gay cruise bar and a fetish shop. The rest of the Marais’ gay bars are, at most, 15 minutes away.
There are several large Metro stops nearby, meaning you are well-connected to the rest of the city. All the major central Paris attractions, such as the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Centre Pompidou, can be reached within a pleasant half-hour walk or a quick 15-minute metro ride. Meanwhile, the hotel’s less touristy location means there are some wonderful hidden gems close by: don’t miss out on the Marche des Enfants Rouges, a bustling food market with treats from all over the world, literally across the street.
The hotel is quite basic, offering simple rooms. The decor is a bit dated, but everything is otherwise clean, tidy, and well kept. Rooms are on the small side, but you can go for a larger suite if you need more room. The staff are friendly and available 24/7 in case you need any help or support, and there is even a small sauna area.
♥ The best location for gay nightlife
♥ Modern and bright decor
♥ Great value hotel in the city center
D’win is located in the very heart of gay Marais. RAIDD Bar is just across the street, Mister B gay fetish shop is next door, and gay cafe Voulez-Vous is a few doors down. And that’s just the venues on the same street. Open Cafe, freedj, COX, Le Like, and Le Who’s are all just a couple of minutes away, meaning you can have a full bar-hopping night out in the Marais while barely moving from your hotel door.
The hotel is simple and modern, with bright, cheerful design throughout. The rooms have all the basics and most of them are larger than the Parisian average (but still within European standards). Breakfast is simple but good, served either in the breakfast room, the lovely outdoor patio, or in your room for a small extra fee (€12 isn’t bad for fresh bread and croissants in bed).
One thing to keep in mind is that the hotel is in an old-fashioned building and does not have a lift. This can make things difficult for those with large suitcases, but if you’re lucky a friendly member of staff will offer to help.
♥ Excellent location for gay nightlife, shopping, and entertainment
♥ Complimentary smartphone with free internet for easy city navigation
♥ Comfortable and modern rooms
L’Empire Paris is a lovely gay-friendly Paris hotel in an incredibly central location. The Louvre, Notre Dame, Pompidou Center, the banks of the Seine, and many more Paris highlights are within easy walking distance, as is the Marais gayborhood. There are plenty of gay venues nearby, including Le Next cruising club and Gym Louvre sauna, both of which are just 3 minutes away from the hotel.
This TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award winner features a range of modern, spacious rooms and suites. The Family and Executive Suites are both well-suited to groups of friends, as they can comfortably sleep four to five people. Some of the Deluxe Rooms have private terraces, although availability for these is limited.
L’Empire has an excellent spa, with jacuzzi, sauna, Hammam steam shower, and personalized body treatments. Massages can be delivered in one of their atmospheric private cabins or in your own room. Other perks include a smartphone with unlimited calls and internet – which you are free to take into the city with you – as well as a dedicated concierge service. The bar and restaurant is casual and friendly, offering a delicious buffet breakfast in the morning.
♥ Many Paris gay nightlife hotspots just around the block
♥ Sleek design throughout the hotel features a sauna and fitness room
♥ Exceptionally friendly staff
This designer boutique hotel is located in the heart of the Marais, otherwise known as Paris’ gay neighborhood. It has a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and is very popular with gay visitors to the city. Most of Paris’ gay bars, cafes, and clubs are nearby – Open Cafe, a staple of Paris gay nightlife, is located a short 3-minute walk away, as are popular hotspots COX, freedj, and RAIDD Bar. Unsurprisingly, Hotel Duo is one of the most booked gay hotels in Paris.
Hotel Duo is almost 100 years old, but you wouldn’t tell by walking into it. Despite having a long history, it has succeeded in remaining current and a recent renovation has left it looking stunning and spotless. It is entirely dedicated to exceptional design, with a decor that manages to be both modern and classic, understated and original. All the communal spaces are incredibly pleasant, especially the internal patio with its beautiful vertical garden. Inside the rooms, muted neutral tones are offset by pops of bright color, creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
One of the things that set Hotel Duo apart is its lovely and helpful staff. The hotel also boasts a small but well-equipped fitness room and a sauna to unwind after your workout. The breakfast is particularly tasty, with a wide range of continental options.
♥ Unique design blending original Art Deco features with modern style
♥ Excellent location for nightlife and sightseeing
♥ Big popular cruise club just 5 minutes away
This Paris gay favorite hotel is located on the large Boulevard de Sebastopol, which crosses of central Paris while connecting the Gare de L’Est train station to the Seine. This is a great location for sightseeing in Paris, walking distance from the Louvre, Chatelet, and Marais areas while also being well-connected to the rest of the city by Metro. Most of the gay bars in the Marais and around are reachable within a maximum of 20 minutes. L’Impact, a nude-only cruise club set over two floors, is just 5 minutes away.
The hotel is set in a 1911 Haussmann building, giving it that classic Paris charm. Inside, everything has been updated to a modern standard, including the bright and colorful decor. All the spaces in this boutique hotel are cheerful and creative, from the bright blue entranceway to the beautiful cafe bar, covered in stained glass floral patterns. The rooms continue this trend, featuring Art Deco artwork, comfy beds, and lovely little balconies with brightly colored chairs.
The staff here are extremely friendly and welcoming, and will go out of their way to help you enjoy your stay. Depending on what time you are visiting, Little Palace Hotel can offer exceptional value for money, with affordable mid-range rates for an exceptional level of service and ambiance.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.