Districts and venues at a glance
| Place | District | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie | Marais, 4th | Main gay street of the Marais, with rue du Temple and rue Vieille-du-Temple |
| Rue des Archives (Cox, L'Open Café, Le Coyote) | Marais | Bars named in the press: Cox at no. 15, L'Open Café at no. 17, Le Coyote at no. 86 |
| RAIDD | Marais | Club known for its Thursday "Shower Show" according to a guide |
| La Champmeslé (rue Chabanais) | 2nd | Described as the oldest lesbian bar in the capital |
| Chez Moune | Pigalle | Cabaret created in 1936 for a female clientele, now mixed |
| Sister Midnight (4 rue Viollet-le-Duc) | Pigalle | Cocktail bar focused on drag |
Addresses come from guides and the press: check opening and entry policy before going.
The Marais, to start
Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie is the main street. The bars on rue des Archives are lively from early evening. The Marais is explored on foot; see our complete Marais guide.
Pigalle and the night
South Pigalle offers night bars and drag. A guided walk on gay and lesbian bars in Pigalle from 1890 to 1950 is offered by the City of Paris until 15 November 2026 (to be confirmed on paris.fr). See also the Moulin Rouge page.
Pride March
The Pride March is normally held on the last Saturday of June; the 2026 edition was postponed to 3 October. Everything is detailed on our Paris Pride March page.
Gay Marais guided tour
A small-group 2h30 guided tour presents the gay Marais, in the evening, from April to October; it starts on rue des Petits Carreaux, includes a snack, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices seen range from $97 to $136 depending on the display: check the booking page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the gay district of Paris? The Marais, around rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie.
Are there lesbian bars? Yes, spread across the city, not only in the Marais.
When is the Pride March? Normally the last Saturday of June.
