What We Want to Know
When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out lesbian friendly France is!
LGBTQ+ Laws
The laws pertaining to LGBTQ+ people in France are currently quite liberal and progressive, and they have come a long way. Same sex sexual activity has been legal since 1791, and same sex marriage was legalized in 2013, making France the 13th country in the world to welcome marriage equality. Same sex couples have been legally allowed to adopt since 2013, but they don’t have access to family planning like “assisted reproductive technology”. In 1985, the first law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation was enacted, and amended in 2012 to include all sexual identities. The law was amended again in 2016 to replace the language “sexual identities” with “gender identities”. In 2008 the Minister of Education announced a school policy to fight homophobia in schools, and it was one of the first in the world. Overall the laws in France are among the best in the world.
Social Climate
France has often been named one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world, and attitudes toward our community seem to be very positive. A 2017 Pew Research Centre Poll showed that nearly 75% of French people were in favour of marriage equality, and France currently ranks #21 on the Gay Happiness Index. Paris is frequently considered one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and even had an openly gay mayor from 2001-2014. The public opinion in France certainly seems to be open and accepting of LGBTQ+ people, and the country hosts a large Pride celebration in Paris each year. As always, there is still work to be done, and there are numerous activist groups and organizations in France who are working for further acceptance.
Gaybourhoods
The biggest LGBTQ+ scene in France is definitely in the city of Paris. Le Marais in the third arrondissement is the most popular gaybourhood, and while there are many establishments for gay men, there are also some bars and clubs specifically aimed at lesbians. Some of the most popular being La Mutinerie, 3W Kafe, and So What. In addition to these, there are also some regular lesbian events and parties. Outside of Paris, gay culture can be found on the Mediterranean coast in Nice and Montpellier, as well as in cities such as Toulouse and Provence.
Our Experience
We did a road trip through France and had a really amazing time. We drove through Toulouse, Marseilles, Cannes, and Nice, and then headed to Paris for our second visit to the capital city. We felt very safe travelling as a lesbian couple through France, and had no issues in any of the destinations we visited. We booked hotel rooms with one bed and had no problems. We felt welcomed and accepted everywhere we went, especially in the beautiful city of Paris. We highly recommend France, and especially Paris to lesbian travellers and lesbian couples who are looking for a romantic European destination! We absolutely love it, and will happily return the next chance we get.
Have you been to France? Share your experience in the comments below!
