Gay guy traveling to Paris - any advise on budget places to stay?

somewhere in the Marais?

"preferably in the gay area"

Come on - that is a bit like asking for the gay area of San Francisco or Manhattan. Sure, the Marais is sort of considered the "gay neighborhood" - but all persuasions are very welcome there, and everywhere else in Paris too.

Milanj -

Friends of mine (gay or straight) have really liked Caron de Beaumarchais in the Marais. My former neighbors, Michael and Michael usually stay there. Michael I (because I've known him longer) has been staying there for years.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time, wherever you stay. Most Parisians don't have the sophomoric attitude exhibited by some of the posters on this thread.

Actually there is an area of Paris with a high concentration of homosexuals: the Marais. So if one wishes to be surrounded by homosexuals, a hotel in the Marais would be a logical choice. Yes, the city does have an unusually large population of homosexuals, but they are not evenly distributed throughout the city.

Oddly enough, the Marais is also not a bad place to stay if you are an orthodox Jew, since the rue des Rosiers (an important center of the Jewish community in Paris) is right in the middle of the Marais.

Hi M,

From what I have been told, the Marais(4th arrond) would be your first choice.

"Come on - that is a bit like asking for the gay area of San Francisco or Manhattan." Of course it is. . .and?

While the poster didn't indicate that there were areas that aren't gay friendly, anyone with an ounce of sense when asked where the "gay area" of SF is will answer the Castro, and for NYC, Chelsea. That doesn't suggest that other areas aren't gay friendly, nor that there aren't gays scattered throught the city, but the poster asked a pretty basic question, and the answer for it clearly is the Marais, as with those other cities there certainly are areas with a much higher concentration of gay bars, restaurants, businesses and clientele.

hello Milanj

My brother and his partner use the Hotel Brescia on Rue d'Edimbourg and have done so for a number of years. They love it and say the staff is very gay friendly. Unfortunately it isn't in a gay area of the city but it might be worth considering if you can't find lodging in the Marais.

Ignore the unhelpful responses on thread. I fully understand why you asked your question.

I hope you have a great time in Paris.

Joe

Here's a good short list of hotels, particularly the Hotel Bretonnerie.

http://www.gay-france.net/Paris-hotels.htm

Odd, since the link to Hotel Bretonnerie doesn't seem to work on that list, here's their website.

http://www.bretonnerie.com/

I was staying in the Marais and there were many straight people so It was not like P-Town were you notice who is gay.
You will love it and you will never be under or over dressed there.

http://us.franceguide.com/thematiques/accueil.asp?idth=27&z1=0hbJ2h8C

The Marais is the primary gay neighborhood in Paris. The Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc is a good budget choice there. www.hoteljeannedarc.com

This place is in the same general area, looks nice, and has positive reviews on tipadvisor:
http://www.paris-hotel-vieux-marais.com/

Here's a useful site that immediately lets you know about availability at a range of hotels in a variety of areas--including the Marais.

http://hotels.parishotels.com/index.hotels.parishotels.com.en.html

I'd start a serious search now. It's already May and I've had problems finding a hotel this time of year even when I tried to book a few months in advance.

http://www.mycityflat.com/

Hello Milanj...until this morning I was desperately looking for a place to stay in Paris for my trip on the 17th, and in my search I came across the site above which seems to cater to gay apartment renters. Deciding I had nothing to lose (and guessing that they wouldn't know I was just some straight girl*), I inquired about availability and they were quick to respond and very helpful in finding some rentals within my timeframe.

If you've never considered renting an apartment for a week, consider it! You can find decent places in the Marais for $600 or so on average, and you get a kitchen and in most cases a washing machine (and sometimes even DSL cable hookup for your laptop). Way better than the cost of the budget B&B I usually stay in!

Good luck and have a great time, wherever you stay!

Christina

*I did let them know that I wasn't gay and they said that was okay...they'd still rent to me : )

Looking at one of my latest magazines I found a studio apartment that maybe perfect for you.
Studio-sleeps 2. sunny quiet 475€a week
ask for photos and location and let us know.
parisapt@bellsouth.net

'P.S. it's somewhere in the Marais

Thank You - To all those who provided me with great information and to those who kept the discussions going!!

Thanks Lesli, I did make reservations at the Hotel Jeanne d'Arc. It was the last room and they are reasonable with good reviews from other visitors..

Cheers and look forward to fun times in Paris...