Annecy: The Little Venice of France – Keep Calm and Wander

Annecy views - Keep Calm and Wander

Don’t miss the views of beautiful Annecy from the Chateau should you decide to visit it for a day from Lyon. Chateau de Annecy sits on the hill and towers above the city and Lake Annecy. After paying the entrance fee, walk all the way to the end of the castle and you’ll find a green backyard with a fort. From here, you’ll see the uninterrupted views of the charming little town.

Little Venice. Because of the presence of some canals, the town is said to be the “Little Venice of France.” Unlike Venice, this town is away from hordes of tourists that cramped the Italian water town. There are no canal tours here and no gondolas for honeymooners.

Boat Tour / Cruise. You can do a boat tour / cruise on Lake Annecy. There are few boat operators near the European Gardens, along the lake.

Enjoy the views.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

Masterpieces of the Louvre – Keep Calm and Wander

Masterpieces of the Louvre - Keep Calm and Wander

The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest art museum. It is renowned for Leonardo Da Vinci’s, Monalisa. If you only have limited time to spare inside, here are 10 masterpieces not to miss at Louvre Museum in Paris.

Ideally, this museum should not be seen in rush. There’s so much to see here and I’d say that spending a half day here would be great! If you’re really into arts, then spending a whole day here would be a day you won’t forget. The Louvre Museum is beyond Monalisa. There are certain rooms and galleries that have only few people – where you can be almost alone with the works of the master artists.

Tips in Visiting the Louvre Museum. I have three tips for you. First, buy the ticket online to avoid the line. Second, go early to avoid the crowd. Make it your very first thing to do in the morning. Third, get the audio guide to get the story / descriptions of each masterpiece – in your language of choice.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Lyon’s Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière – Keep Calm and Wander

Lyon's Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière - Keep Calm and Wander

If Rio de Janeiro has the statue of Christ the Redeemer looking after the city, Lyon has Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Yes, it’s not a statue with open arms but a basilica sitting on top of a mountain. You can’t miss it – and every local knows where it is. It may look far when you’re on the plains but it’s worth a visit – even if you’re not religious.

The Basilica’s Fame. When Black Death swept Europe in the 17th middle of century, Lyon was saved from it. The locals built this church to honour the Virgin Mary to whom they believe safeguarded the city from the deadly plague.

Day of Immaculate Conception. Every year, On December 8, the city has the “Festival of Lights.” This is the night when locals light a candle for the Virgin Mary who is also attributed for saving Lyon during the Prussian Invasion (1870) and the cholera epidemic (1832).

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Lyon Gay Travel Resources

Chateau de Versailles Gardens – Keep Calm and Wander

Palace-of-Versailles-Gardens-Chateau-France-10

The well-manicured gardens of Chateau de Versailles is so huge you need two to three hours to explore its entirety. Unless, of course, if you choose to ride on a golf cart around – for an additional fee. In fact, I never had the chance to explore half of it. I was there for four hours only, including the queue that took us more than an hour! The number of visitors to the palace was insane!

The Palace of Versailles. It is known to be the most opulent in all of France. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette got married and lived here. When you go inside, such vast wealth and power is ubiquitous. Its fabulous rooms are decorated with stunning artistic beauty from floor to walls to ceiling. It’s magnificent! It’s grand!

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

France Gay Travel Resources

Lyon’s Coolest Mural – Keep Calm and Wander

Lyon's Coolest Mural - Keep Calm and Wander

From afar, this building looks like an ordinary building with people hanging out on their balconies. But, viola, as you go nearer, you’ll realize that this building is coated with mural paintings of famous people from Lyon. They look real at first glance. These people, I was told, are coming from all walks of life, experts in their own chosen endeavours.

Yes, they’re well-known personalities who hail from and make Lyon proud. There are journalists, chefs, artists, actors, professors, sportsmen, historians, poets, architects, botanists, scientists, and many more.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Lyon Gay Travel Resources

Paris Gay Games – Summer 2018

Paris Gay Games 2018

The world’s LGBTQ communities will come together this August in beautiful Paris, for the 10th iteration of the Gay Games. Already, Paris has 5,000 athletes registered—a higher amount than previous hosts have reported this early in the process. Athletics and aquatics are the most popular sports, and golf is already sold out.

Organizers say they have more than 800 volunteers and a large number of organizational partners helping with Gay Games 10. They are confident in attracting more participants than previous hosts. The maximum capacity is 15,000 participants, and Paris officials say they expect 40,000 visitors—and some 300,000 spectators.

We spoke with Manuel Picaud, the co-président of Paris 2018, to get the scoop on the event.

TP: How will the Paris Gay Games differ from past iterations of the Games?

MP: Paris 2018 will host the first Gay Games in a French-speaking country—the same country where the Olympics were born. France is very passionate about sports. It will also be the site of the Olympics in 2024, the Rugby World Cup in 2023, the Golf Ryder Cup in 2018 and the Women’s World Championship of Soccer or Handball in 2019.

Gay Games in Paris will also be for the first time in a real capital city, in a city of culture and of art de vivre. Paris 2018–Gay Games 10 is also organized by a federation of organizations that has never been seen before. That means organizers have huge experience with organizing large sporting and cultural events like the International Tournament of Paris for 15 years.

And many national sports federations are committed to the success of the Gay Games. Finally, never has a city had such institutional support even from the President of the Republic (high patronage), the national and regional governments and, of course, the City of Paris.

By Paul Heney – Full Story at Travel Pulse

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Naked Southwest France – Gay Star News

Naked Southwest France - Jean-Pierre Leclerc

If you’re looking for some travel inspiration for your next vacation, then LGBTI travel specialist Jean-Pierre Leclerc suggests that the southwest of France should be top of your wish-list.
We spoke with Leclerc, a veteran of the travel industry since 1994, to find out what makes Bordeaux and the beaches of the Aquitaine coast a must-visit destination in France.

What makes the southwest of France a good destination for LGBTI travellers?

No other French region offers such a great lifestyle. Not only are there plenty of monuments, museums, history, and regional traditions, where else can you find the unique combination of beaches, mountains, forests, and rural life? Plus there’s our gastronomy – foie gras, truffle, traditional pastries, and a vast assortment of cheese and wines.

If you’re looking for an active vacation, this is a great region for surfing, kite surfing, biking, cycling, and boating.
It’s also a region that enthusiastically welcomes LGBTI travellers. Plus it’s one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations for naturists.

By Gareth Johnson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Southwest France Gay Travel Resources

Most Popular Paris Queer Friendly Hotels – Gay Star News

Paris queer friendly hotels - pixabay

If you’ve never been to Paris before, there is an enormous list of must-do tourist essentials that will easily fill your time during your stay. Climb the Eiffel Tower. Wander around the Louvre. Stroll along the Seine. Sit in cafe and look intellectual…
But Paris is more than just the obvious sightseeing cliches. Each time that you return to this city you discover a little more, experience something different, and immerse yourself in the day-to-day rhythm of the French capital.

One of the key ingredients for a great Paris experience is the right accommodation.
You need something that’s within your budget. You’ll also need a location that puts you in the heart of the action. If you’re an LGBTI traveler, then you’re going to want a hotel that’s happy to welcome you.

We’ve checked the available statistics and consulted a few experts to see which hotels in Paris are currently the most popular with LGBTI visitors:

Hotel du Vieux Saule: Popular, great-value hotel in the heart of Le Marais.

By Gareth Johnson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Paris Day Trip – Paris Gay Friendly Tours

Paris Day TripParis-Day-Trip is a french company based in Paris. We provide private tours around Paris and surroundings using our own guides and vehicles. Our main concern is to give the customers a full understanding of what they see in a fun, hassle-free and confortable way. We take care of everything 😉

A licensed official guide comes to your hotel to pick you up in a premium car or van, drives you to the museum, castle, landmark, and guides you inside. The entrance to landmarks where cues are expected are always scheduled to avoid lines.

We are used to work with customer requesting hight standards.

See the Paris Day Trip Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Paris Day Trip Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Inside the Palace of Versailles – Keep Calm and Wander

Palace of Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors

Out of the 700 rooms inside the Palace of Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors is the grandest of them all! If you don’t find it stunning or be blown away by its frescoes and craftsmanship of every thing inside, I’m not sure if you’re still human. LOL… It is here where I spent a long time gazing up at the frescoes from end to end. They’re just not interesting but they also seem to be alive!

The Frescoes. The paintings on the vaulted ceiling shows the political successes of France under the royal leadership of Louis XIV. Their colours are as bright as they were before and you can’t help but look at them with great admiration.

This 73-meter Hall of Mirrors used to be a balcony of the palace overlooking the royal gardens. It connects the Queen and the King’s apartments. But, because of bad weather, the design was changed in 1678 to become what it is today. It took 6 years to build it.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris Gay Travel Resources