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Gay & Lesbian in Paris
Paris is one of Europe's major centres for gay men. There are numerous gay bars, clubs, restaurants, saunas and shops, concentrated especially in the Marais . While less visible, the lesbian community is strong and well organized, with networks of feminist groups and a number of publications.
The high spots of the calendar are the annual Gay Pride parade and festival, and the Bastille Day Ball. Gay Pride is normally held on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice, and is a major carnival for both lesbians and gays. The Bastille Day Ball (July 13, 10pm-dawn), a wild open-air dance on the quai de la Tournelle, 5e (Mº Pont Marie), is free for all to join in.
Bars, Clubs And Discos
Lesbian clubs in Paris are less of a rarity than they were ten years ago, but are still relatively few and far between. The pleasures of gay men are far better catered for. While the selection of gay male-oriented establishments listed in this section only scratches the surface, for gay women our listings more or less cover all that's available. Lesbians, however, are welcome in some of the predominantly male clubs.
Gay clubs' reputation for wild hedonism attracts a fair number of heterosexuals in search of a good time. Many hetorosexuals are indeed welcome in some gay establishments if accompanied, while some clubs have all but abandoned a gay policy; the legendary gay club Le Queen , for example, is only gay on a Thursday now. Equally, some of the more mainstream clubs have started doing gay nights. For a complete rundown of events, consult Em@le (free in gay bars) which has a comprehensive weekly listing of gay nights, or Gai Pied's Guide Gai (published annually) forvenues. Alternatively, tune into Paris's gay radio station RadioFG (98.2 FM), and keep an eye out for flyers.
Eat and Accommodation
Although gays and lesbians shouldn't come across any anti-social behaviour in restaurants and hotels, there is a choice of gay-oriented places to stay and eat . You don't need to look any further than the Marais; restaurants are plentiful, and even if they aren't exclusively gay, the location can guarantee a mainly gay clientele. Although there's only one hotel, Hôtel Central Marais , that caters exclusively to gays and lesbians, there are a few where the majority of customers are gay.
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