Winter in Paris – Washington Blade

Winter in Paris - Bill Malcolm

Winter in Paris is the perfect time to visit.. The crowds are gone. The weather is not as cold as many U.S. cities. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in museums, it doesn’t matter anyway. Plus, Paris has a great gay scene and a gayborhood — The Marais.

Getting There

I snagged a great low fare on Delta Airlines. The service was exceptional and everything was free. Free hot dinner and breakfast, free headsets, free blankets and pillows, free eyeshades and more. Once in Paris, hop on the commuter rail to town, the RER-B then take the Metro to get to your hotel from the Gare du Nord Station.

Where to Stay

I stayed at The Moxy, a new Marriott brand geared for millennials. The rate was very reasonable (it varied by day with one day at just 93 Euros or around $110). It’s located near the Marais in the Bastille District and near no less than three Metro stations. You can walk to many of the major attractions or hop on the subway. Two nearby stores (Franprix) have everything you need including salad bars, hot sandwiches and great selections of wine.

Full Story at the Washington Blade

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Instagrammable Paris – Once Upon a Journey

Paris, the city of love, or the city of light, the capital of France and the third most popular destination in the world. It’s no wonder it’s also amongst the most photographed cities in the world and yet, everyone’s obsessed with Paris photography. Everyone searches for the best view of the Eiffel Tower and couples often book a Paris photoshoot to immortalise the romance. Paris pictures are simply magical when done right!

“Paris is always a good idea.” – Audrey Hepburn

Audrey was right, Paris is always a good idea, however, taking Paris pictures can be difficult. The best Instagrammable Paris places to visit are usually insanely crowded, which is why we highly recommend going to the hot spots during sunrise. Yes, it takes courage to wake up early, but trust us: it’s so worth it. We’ve visited a couple of times already and have collected the best places in Paris to take pictures!

Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Disneyland Paris Plans First Official “Magical Pride” Celebration – Joe.My.God

Magical Pride

Although Gay Days has been celebrated at the Disney parks for decades, ever since the first one in 1991 (right here in Orlando!), Disneyland Paris has just made history by becoming the first to organize an official LGBTQ Pride event, finally acknowledging openly that pink money pays their bills, too.

Magical Pride happens June 1, 2019, and will include a “Magical March of Diversity” parade, as well as several different music performances. Inspired by Orlando’s and Anaheim’s massive Gay Days parties, the first – though it was unofficial – Magical Pride took place at Disneyland Paris in 2014. Now it’s getting the nod from the park.

Queer Versailles: A Secret Sexy History – Gay Star News

Versailles - Pixabay

From Marie Antoinette’s lesbian affairs to the Sun King’s gay brother, Versailles bristled with sexual intrigue while the grounds were a hotbed of raunchy encounters.

Homosexuality and lesbianism is woven into the history of the Palace of Versailles and into the lives of its most famous residents. The magnificent palace on the outskirts of Paris is a camp baroque masterpiece that defined elite tastes for a hundred years and still influences them today. But look a little closer, and you will see homosexual history hidden in plain sight in its art and artefacts.

The Falcon-Loving Founder, Louis XIII

Louis XIII became king of France at just nine years old. And from his teenage years he preferred the company of male courtiers to women. Charles d’Albert, the young Duke of Luyens, was his particular favorite. While it’s not certain the two had a sexual relationship, it is widely rumored. We do know they shared another passion – hunting. Among the titles Louis granted Charles was Grand Falconer of France. Caring for the king’s hunting birds was a great honor.

Luyens died of a fever while fighting Protestants in 1621. But the king kept hunting. And in 1624, that was to change the shape of a small village 20kms southwest of Paris – Versailles. Louis, then in his early 20s, decided to build his hunting lodge there.

By Tris Reid-Smith – Full Story at Gay Star News

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre – Keep Calm and Wander

The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre - Keep Calm and Wander

I have no doubt that Apollo Gallery is the most dazzling hall at Louvre Museum. Yes, if there’s one room at Louvre Museum that spells grandeur, it would be Galerie d’Apollon. This amazingly-decorated room is fit for a sun-god. From its walls to its ceiling Apollo Gallery shimmers in paintings, tapestries, jewels, gilded embellishments and statues. Its artistry is incredible and its craftsmanship is very detailed.

As soon as you enter, there’s that feeling that you’re in one of the royal rooms of time’s past. In fact, this was the first royal gallery for King Louis XIV. Though small in size, this hall became the prototype of the Hall of Mirror at the Palace of Versailles.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris Gay Travel Resources

The Sacre Coeur in Paris – Keep Calm and Wander

Sacre Coeur in Paris - Keep Calm and Wander

Before visiting, get to know these interesting facts about Sacre Coeur in Paris. It’s a minor Roman Catholic basilica that sits atop Montmarte, the city’s highest summit. You’ll see it from the top of Eiffel Tower or from Notre Dame Cathedral. Its domes look different from any Catholic churches you’ve seen before. If my memory serves me right, I’ve never seen anything like these.

Sacre Coeur, in English, is translated as the Sacred Heart which of course refer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Montmarte means the “Mount of the Martyr.”

The basilica was built in 1975 but its construction was completed in 1914. However, it was only sanctified when the World War 1 ended in 1919. Paul Abadie designed this imposing church overlooking the city of Paris.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris – Keep Calm and Wander

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris - Keep Calm and Wander

I didn’t see Quasimodo inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He is, of course – along with Esmeralda – fictional. But this Catholic cathedral seems to be tied to his name or the other way around. Thanks to Victor Hugo who made this church a setting of his well-known novel, “The Huncback of Notre Dame.” For literary fans, you can’t talk Notre Dame without mentioning the Romantic-Gothic affair of Quasimodo and Esmeralda.

The Queue. It’s looooong. So be prepared when it’s hot in the summer. Unless, of course, if you’re there as soon as it opens.

The Icons at the Entrance / West Gate. Notre Dame was built in the 12th century. It is one of the most revered Gothic churches in France. Before you step into the entrance door, look up and see the details of the sculptures above you. They’re pretty amazing Christian icons.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris 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

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

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