Features > The Pleasure Activist

by Doug McClelland

(posted March, 2007)

Paris

Paris is one of the top travel destinations in the world, with millions of visitors per year, and it’s a top gay destination too. They use the Euro; the currency broadly used across many European countries, with the exchange rate being roughly $1.30 US dollars or $1.54 Canadian dollars to buy one Euro. Paris is expensive and many things are more expensive than in the North America. However, as a major air hub Paris has great connections from many cities, via many airlines, and therefore pretty good fares for getting there.

Paris was founded more than a thousand years ago and the Paris metropolitan area now has a population of about 11.5 million people, making it one of the largest cities of the world. The city is divided into twenty clockwise-spiralling arrondissements (municipal boroughs). Le Marais is the beautiful oldest part of the city making up the fourth arrondissement and is the center of Parisian gay life. The main area to target is Les rues du Temple, Vieille du Temple and Archives and all the roads that lead off them.

I’ve got three recommendations for tourist attractions to visit. The Place des Vosges, completed in 1612, is Paris' oldest square still with its original buildings, one of the earliest examples of urban planning. It’s in the Marais and is an interesting walk. On a small island called Ile de la Cite in the river next to the Marais is Notre Dame Cathedral a huge church and is widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, which took almost two hundred years to complete (from 1163-1345). It is worth waiting in line to go to the top of the Cathedral towers to get up close to the amazing Gargoyles, and to take in the view. Finally, one of the most relaxing ways to view the famous landmarks of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, and the splendid bridges, is sailing down the Seine River on the decks of a Bateaux-mouches, the unique tour boats. A nighttime cruise is the most stunning as the boats are equipped with huge floodlights, which they use to light up the riverside monuments.

France does not have any form of legal discrimination against its gay community and anti-gay violence is virtually non-existent. Technically, sexual relations are legal for consenting partners aged sixteen and over. The recent "pacs" law (Pacte Civil de Solidarité) now means that any couple, whether of the same or opposite sex, who cannot, or does not want to, marry can benefit from the same rights as married couples through an official contract.

I stayed at the small Hotel Central Marais, a men’s only gay hotel in a 17th century building in the center of the action, where rooms (double or single) are 87 Euros. There are two large simple rooms per floor with a shared bathroom in the hall, and no elevator. On my last trip I came back to my room to find a note on the door inviting me upstairs to another room for a blowjob, as well, doors are sometimes left open to invite company. I’ve also stayed at the gay Hotel Beaumarchais the thirty-one rooms have private toilet and shower, air conditioning, and cable TV. It’s one subway stop or a longish walk from the bars in the Marais.

The cruising speciality of Paris in my opinion is its backroom bars. Perhaps because the Internet is coming late to France, there is still a fantastic bar cruising scene here. Backrooms can be found of all types, small or large, or edgy if that's your thing. With the exception of Berlin, I think Paris has the most sex bars in the world (with Amsterdam coming a close third). Such bars are now practically unknown in North America, but back in the 70’s bars like the Gold Coast in Chicago, the Mineshaft in New York, and the Slot in San Francisco, had similar action; sadly no more. These bars vary as to which day or time is best, and some have strict dress (leather/fetish) or undress (nude) rules. There are cruisy little bars with small backrooms, and there are large complex spaces where the play verges on theatre. The action is likely to be going on in dark arched-ceiling basements (sometimes candle lit), which are typical of Paris, and remind me of castle dungeons.

On my most recent Saturday in Paris, I started out in the afternoon at one of my favorites, the Mic-Man, a small bar just across from the Pompidou Center Museum. It’s a tiny place with a very sleazy basement. I was chatting with an Italian guy, who happened to be wearing roller blades, and was asking him directions to a different bar. He said he knew the way but would only tell me if he could suck my cock in the basement. Needless to say, I got my directions. Later I began my evening with a couple of drinks at Cox Bar, in the central Marais which is a butch cruise bar, where I find the men hot. Then it was a short walk off to the Bear's Den bar, which looks small when you enter, but actually has two large levels underground. I was chatting at the bar with a cute bartender, when two guys came in and took up a position next to me along the bar. The one with his back to me had the hottest looking ass I’d seen in Paris, and being emboldened by alcohol and the ambience I groped his ass a bit to see what the response would be. He pushed back so I got more aggressive. After a minute the other guy leaned over to say. ‘so you like my lover’s ass; do you want to fuck it?’ I said yes and the two of them led me downstairs to the backroom where the boyfriend rolled a condom onto my dick, lubed up his lover’s ass and watched with encouraging words as we fucked. Parisians are very hospitable. Finally at about 2 am, after stopping by the hotel to grab some leather, I went off to Keller’s over by the Bastille. At Keller’s you can see what thoughtful design, decor and lighting can contribute to the creation of a hot, hardcore atmosphere. On one side of the long central entrance corridor there are alcoves with slings lined up so that on a busy night there will be a row of fisting couples on display once you enter. And that is just the opening act of this amazing leather sex bar. I go every visit just to soak up the sexual energy.

These backroom bars are the highlight of gay Paris to me, and something I wish we had at home.
With all the backrooms you might think there would be little need for baths. But Paris is well supplied with them too. Sometimes they are referred to as hammams, the Turkish word for bath. When going in you are given a towel and the key to a locker, but there are no private rooms to rent. Instead you will only find "cubicles for relaxation", where you are free to relax the way you wish. Sunday afternoons are the most appreciated moments by Parisians for the sauna. That is the day where saunas are the most crowded. Condoms and lube are freely provided everywhere.

The IDM Sauna is a large busy place with a good after-work scene. It has a gym, sauna, steam, and whirlpool in addition to the cubicles and a maze. If you are looking for a sauna with a mature crowd the Euro Men’s Club is the place to go. It offers three levels, with a beautiful old pool but is only open noon to 9:30 pm. The Tilt Sauna is the oldest in Paris and is open till 7 am. I think the most North American style bathhouse in Paris is the Key West Sauna. It’s open from noon to 2 am, and is a super clean and very popular with lots of facilities and rooms, plus four hundred lockers. For a high-end experience try the luxury Bastille Sauna. It’s one of the largest saunas in Paris. The first floor has 21st century workout machines and its rounded hamman with glass tile showers is beautiful. There are trained masseurs, tanning beds, spa, Jacuzzi and sauna in luxury surroundings. The guys are mostly young and pretty and looking for the same. The entrance fee is one of the more expensive in Paris, but it’s something you won’t see at home.

If you like the peep shows and sex shop cruising the best place is Boxxman, which has a basement of fun, with video cubicles. The owners are gay and encourage the action.

Bois de Boulogne park at Metro station Porte Maillot is the place for nighttime cruising. The cruising is in a triangular wooded area within the streets Route de Longchamps, Route de la Porte Dauphine and Route de Suresnes. This is a natural woods area with all kinds of trails going among the bushes under the trees. Guys wander around on the dark trails and get together when they find someone they like. One of the roads bordering it, and the Place de la Porte Dauphine are the male and transvestite prostitution zone of Paris.

The Jardin des Tuileries (garden of Tuileries) was created in the 17th century as a royal park. It is the long park, which leads to the Louvre Museum. In the 18th century, it was already a crusing place for men, who were protected by the fact that the police had not the right to enter in the royal domain. Today the Jardin des Tuileries is still a meeting place for gays, especially near the pyramid and the Porte du Carroussel. Also known informally as 'Tata Beach', it’s where young guys hang out and tan in summer. Busy in the day and busier at night.

Also, as in any major in Europe check out the bathrooms in the train stations.

Paris is as gay as it gets. And for cruisers it is one of the best destinations possible.

 

Recommended in this article (also see the Sex Listings):

Bastille Sauna, 4 Passage Saint Antoine. Bathhouse with full facilities.

Bear's Den, 6 rue des Lombards. Cruise bar with dark room. Venue for bears and their friends, on three levels.

Bunker, 150 rue Saint Maur. Sexclub. Good on Sunday afternoon with a popular naked party on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 pm to 2 am.

Euro Men's Club, 8-10 rue Saint-Marc. Bathhouse with full facilities.

The Glove, 34 rue Charlot. Cruise bar with dark room. This bar shows wooden beams and wrought iron elegance at the street-level bar while its downstairs is dedicated to fisting.

Gym Louvre Sauna, 7 bis rue du Louvre. Bathhouse with full facilities.

Hotel Central Marais, 2 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie. (33) 01 48 87 56 08. Cruisy hotel.

IDM Sauna, 4 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre. Bathhouse with full facilities.

Keller’s, 14 rue Keller. Cruise bar with dark room. Considered the main leather bar of Paris and perhaps the largest in Europe. They don’t show porn, because they believe their customers are the show. Thursdays are notorious FF nights and parties with various themes are held on Sunday afternoon. Strict dress codes and busiest from midnight to 4 am.

Key West Sauna, 141 rue Lafayette. Bathhouse with full facilities.

L’impact, 8 rue Greneta. Sexclub. 100% naked for years. The only Parisian bar that is naked every day.

Le Transfer, 3 Rue De La Sourdiere. Cruise bar with dark room. Two small rooms comprise the entire bar and anything is permitted -- the whole bar is a back room. If you’re not someone who wants to participate this is not the bar for you. Busy 4 to 6 am on weekends though best from 2 am to 7 am. I suggest you leave your valuables and clothes you wish to stay dry at the coat check. The private parties on Saturday and Sunday afternoons are also popular.

MecZone, 27 rue Turgot. Cruise bar with dark room. A bit of a different crowd than found in the Marais. The action stations are downstairs where you'll find slings and cruising.

Mic-Man, 24 rue Geoffroy l'Angevin. Cruise bar with dark room. The customers come for a beer and then disappear downstairs. Steady traffic all afternoon and evening.

Next Club, 87 rue Saint Honoré. Sexclub. Newer cruising bar in a former disco. Friday’s Rituel Men is the popular night, and there are naked parties on Saturday afternoons.

One Way, 28 rue Charlot. Cruise bar with dark room. Neighborhood bar with bears and older men. There's a video room and sling in the cellar. Busy from 7 to 9 pm.

QG Bar, 12 rue Simon le Franc. Cruise bar with dark room.

Tilt Sauna, 41 rue Saint Anne. Bathhouse with full facilities.

Or see the Sex Listings.

Comments, suggestions, compliments, criticism? You can write to Doug, The Pleasure Activist, at doug@cruisingforsex.com.

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