This walk starts at 63 rue Beaubourg where the LGBTQI+ Centre offers a wide range of events and opportunities to discuss equal rights, sexual orientation and gender identity: exhibitions, film projections, creative workshops, speed dating, chat groups… The centre is open to the public daily and offers a full programme. Events and discussions that often wind up at the Bar'Ouf andLa Mutinerie, 300 metres away, in rue Saint-Martin. These two queer, feminist and socially committed bars where everyone is welcome, offer a wide range of activities (concerts, exhibitions, karaoke, etc.). La Mutinerie also has a feminist library for information.
Also close by is the MK2 Beaubourg which each year hosts Chéries-Chéris, the Paris LGBTQIA & +++ film festival. Featuring a queer programme, a competition to reward the best feature-length and short films, as well as the best documentaries, and special screenings over a two-week period.
Then walk past the Centre Pompidou and its caterpillar - a green tunnel that runs along the building’s facade and hides the escalators leading to the Centre’s 6 floors - to see the Stravinsky Fountain and its 16 animated sculptures, recently operational again. On the opposite wall are 3 monumental works by street artists Jef Aerosol, Invader and Shepard Fairey.
As well as being one of the most important architectural landmarks in Paris, Saint-Eustache Church contains a ‘little’ treasure: Keith Haring’s last artwork, a bronze triptych with a gold patina titled The life of Christ. To see in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul chapel.
If you are a Keith Haring fan … another of his works is freely and permanently visible in Paris: a 27-metre-high Tower situated in the interior garden of the Hôpital Necker.
On your way to the gardens of the Palais Royal, take the opportunity to pass by the Bourse de Commerce, a magnificent, renovated building housing François Pinault's collection of contemporary art.
Then, pass by Place des Victoires and Galerie Vivienne, before reaching the gallery Au bonheur du jour, specializing in erotic works.
Another gallery, located between Charonne and Bastille (off the walking route), is worth a visit: the Galerie Obsession? dedicated to the aesthetics of the male nude. This intimate venue showcases queer artists and homoerotic works that are often overlooked. A rare, daring and committed space to discover as you continue your LGBTQIA+ cultural exploration of Paris.
Because here, you are in the naughty Paris and scandalous Paris of the 19th century. At this time, the Domaine national du Palais-Royal was home to hundreds of shops, theatres and restaurants, as well as gambling dens and brothels, making it the perfect place for amusement and debauchery. It was a pulsating place, immortalized by Balzac in his Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy), which is portrayed in the film Illusions Perdues (Lost Illusions) by Xavier Giannoli.
Later, in the 20th century, the Palais-Royal was a popular meeting spot for artists and writers. Stefan Zweig stayed there, Colette wrote a major part of her work there, and Jean Cocteau moved in with Jean Marais. Today, people come here to stroll and admire the photogenic Buren Columns.
La Cage aux Folles, the famous play by Jean Poiret, starringMichel Serrault, was created at the Théâtre du Palais Royal. It played for 5 years and was subsequently made into a film and a Broadway musical. And it was also in this famous theatre that Molière staged his plays from 1660 onwards, and where he performed Le malade imaginaire for the last time in 1673 before his death.
The Tuileries Gardens, another favourite place to stroll for Parisians and visitors and an important part of Paris's LGBT history, is the oldest garden in Paris. With its fountains, statues, flowerbeds and wide treelined paths, it is an archetypal example of the French style garden designed by Le Nôtre. Admire the statues, works of art by Maillol, Rodin and Giacometti.
In the south-west corner of the garden, near to the octagonal ornamental pond, is the Musée de l’Orangerie specializing in impressionist and post-impressionist painting. It is worth a visit, particularly for the room dedicated to the Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.
Continuing along the Seine, you will pass alongside the Place de la Concorde on your right and the Assemblée nationale on your left.
At the Alexandre III bridge, recognizable by its grand columns topped with golden statues, go down onto the quaysides to the Rosa Bonheur sur Seine barge. The Rosa Bonheur group of establishments are true Paris gay and lesbian institutions, paying tribute to the French artist of the same name.
The first guinguette, to be set up in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, was launched in 2008 by the former owners of Pulp, the mythical lesbian club on the Grands Boulevards. Following its success, a second guinguette opened on a barge on the Seine in 2013: the Rosa Bonheur sur Seine which even became the Official Pride House of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. It was followed by the opening of the Rosa Bonheur de l’Ouest at Asnières-sur-Seine, and Rosa Bonheur à l’Est in the Bois de Vincennes.
Retrace your steps by walking along the Seine in the direction of the Île de la Cité. You'll pass the two most famous museums in Paris: the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée du Louvre. Admire the magnificent facade of the Musée d'Orsay and its clocks. The museum is housed in the former Orsay railway station, a building constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. And if a visit to the Louvre is not on your itinerary, don't forget to admire its monumental entrance: the famous glass pyramid at the centre of the Napoléon courtyard. A unique landmark.
Next, cross to the Île de la Cité via the Pont Neuf which despite its name is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. Enjoy the wonderful view and the romantic atmosphere of the Square du Vert-Galant. This pretty public garden at the tip of the Île de la Cité, is named after Henri IV and his eventful love life. The king, whose equestrian statue dominates the square, was nicknamed the Vert Galant (The Green Gallant).
But as you can imagine, the Square du Vert-Galant is not the only place of interest on the Île de la Cité. If you have time, visit: the Sainte-Chapelle and its famous stained-glass windows, and of course, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, which reopened in December 2024 after the devastating fire of 2019.
Back in the Les Halles district, en route for the Banana Café, another mythical spot for queer nightlife in the capital, notable for its go-go dancer shows and themed entertainment nights.
Sentenced to death for homosexuality … At 67 rue Montorgueil (Paris 2nd), a commemorative plaque recalls the fate of Bruno Lenoir and Jean Diot, arrested here for homosexuality in 1750 and burned at the stake. They were the last gay couple to be sentenced to death for this reason in France.
The BHV Marais is a must for Parisians and visitors alike. This 6-storey temple of shopping brings together hundreds of cutting-edge designers and brands in fashion, beauty, leather goods and interior design.
And for the view, head up to the rooftop of the BHV where you can also enjoy an aperitif and dinner at the restaurant Terraza Mikuna (South American specialties). And, on Wednesday evening, you can party with the team of Chez Mylène, known for their Parisian gay nights drag queen evenings and hot playlist.
From the 80s onwards, gay bars and clubs began to appear in the Halles district, then in the Marais. Today, they are mainly concentrated in the rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, rue des Archives and rue Simon le Franc.
The Jaja, for example, is a hip restaurant tucked away in a leafy courtyard. Other favourites in the area include Le Ju' and Les Marronniers, two friendly bistros with large terraces on rue des Archives.
Another place to stop off at, the Passage du Désir situated at 23 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie (Paris 4th). This trendy sex shop is always full and you'll see everyone doing their shopping: homosexuals, heterosexuals, men and women, young and old, couples and singles …
Also, good to know, the LGBT-friendly Pharmacie du Village, is open daily until 8.30pm and on Sunday until 8pm (26 rue du Temple, Paris 4th).
The rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings were painted in 2018 on the occasion of the Gay Games Paris and Paris Pride Week. However, the Marais is a very busy area, especially at weekends! For great Instagram photos, or to discover a quieter, more out-of-the-way area, head to Place Gambetta, where you'll find two rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings on either side of the 20th arrondissement town hall (avenue Gambetta and rue Belgrand). You are now just a few steps from the Père Lachaise cemetery (enter via the rue des Rondeaux) where (among others!) Rosa Bonheur, Thierry Mugler, Marcel Proust, Patrice Chéreau and Oscar Wilde are laid to rest.
The Marais is also one of the oldest districts in Paris. The house of Nicolas Flamel situated at 51 rue de Montmorency (Paris 3rd) is proof of this. On its facade, you will see that it was inaugurated in1407, which makes it to the oldest house in Paris.
Nearby, the Musée Carnavalet is also the oldest municipal museum in Paris. Discover its immense collection - over 600,000 works and objects - in two beautiful private mansions, which recount the history of Paris from prehistory to the present day, including that of historic homosexual figures. Themed tours are organized on a regular basis by Queer Tours France. Here, you can also enjoy the wonderful Fabula restaurant terrace, a temporary restaurant that opens in the gardens of the museum in summertime.
It would be impossible to talk about an LGBT walk in Paris without mentioning the emblematic and unmissable Marais district. Boutiques, museums, cultural venues and LGBTQIA+ addresses coexist in a warm, festive and inclusive atmosphere.
See our selection of offers and activities to do in the Marais for an experience that's both authentic and colourful!
A La Folie, in the Parc de La Villette, known for its many gay nights and Bingo Drag on Sunday. The Cox Bar, in the Marais, invites the best DJs on the LGBT scene every night. The Banana Café for its tropical decor and burlesque evenings. The Tango where people come for its gay and lesbian balls. And, of course, the Raidd Bar, considered one of the hottest spots in gay Marais. Don't miss the show put on by the barmen with their bodybuilder look who dance on the bar, or the go-go dancers who take very sexy showers. Le Point Éphémère and La Station - Gare des Mines are also queer friendly places popular with the Paris LGBT community for partying.
The Rosa Bonheur Buttes Chaumont - and its ultra festive programme of events - is the place for party people andbons vivants, queer or not. Le Gibus, another iconic club on the LGBTQIA+ scene in Paris, open since 1967. And La Java, one of the oldest gay clubs in Paris.
Madame Arthur is THE Paris transvestite cabaret which has been providing nightlife entertainment since1946. After the show, the cabaret turns into a club with DJ sets until dawn. More recent but just as queer and eccentric: La Bouche, self-run alternative cabaret managed by Soa de Muse (finalist in the first season of Drag Race France). Chez Mylène where numerous drag queen evenings are organized, as well as projections of Drag Race France episodes, sometimes in the presence of some of the programme’s heroines. In the Quartier Latin, the Petit Prince de Paris, a local institution since 1976, offers cabaret dinners, music-hall and transformist shows in a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Every month, at the Truc du Père Lachaise, you’ll have plenty to choose from with the Bad Biches cabaret, the Cabaret Poésthésique, theVendredis de Tante Françoise and the feminist cabaret Victor Victoria!
At the library of the Paris and Île-de-France LGBTQI+ Centre, at the family planning documentation centre or at the ARCL - documentation centre for lesbian cultures. In the 11th arrondissement, in the bookshops Les Mots à la bouche, specializing in LGBT themes, and Violette and Co, specializing in feminist, lesbian and LGBTI+ issues. At the library La Mutinerie.
The memorial Aux oubliées et oubliés! (To the forgotten ones!), dedicated to the homosexual victims of deportation and persecuted LGBTQIA+ people, is located in the Port-de-l'Arsenal garden in Bastille. Inaugurated on 17 May 2025 by the City of Paris, this monumental work in the shape of a magic wand, created by Jean-Luc Verna, pays tribute to the memory, resistance and visibility of our communities.
