In a city where the inhabitants ooze with sexuality, it is no big surprise that an alternative sexual lifestyle was able to ease its way into mainstream culture, despite the nation’s relative conservatism. Welcome to ‘Gay Paree’, a city prone to frivolity, but also one of the leading LGBTQ centres of the world. Since Parisians generally abide by a live-and-let-live policy, the gay community has found Paris to be a great place to live, love, and proudly fly their flag. Le Marais, made up of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements is a trendy district at the epicentre of the gay community, where you will find the greatest concentration of bars and clubs interspersed with the charming boutiques and cafes. You can find anything from a cosy corner bar, to a stylish lounge, to a sleazy sex bar where you can fulfil your every fantasy and the word ‘taboo’ doesn’t translate. While options for lesbians were formerly rather limited, in the last few years there has been an increase in bars, clubs, and restaurants specifically for lesbians. In keeping with the tradition of open-mindedness the majority of bars and clubs are extremely welcoming of the straight community and embrace the diversity of a mixed clientele.