France travel tours package and tourist information Gay And Lesbian France

France is more liberal on homosexuality than most other European countries. The legal age of consent is 16. Gay communities thrive especially in Paris, Toulouse and Nice and many of the southern towns, though lesbian life is rather less upfront.

In general, the French consider sexuality to be a private matter and homophobic assaults are very rare. On the whole, gays tend to be discreet outside specific gay venues, parades and the prime gay areas of Paris and the coastal resorts. Lesbians tend to be extremely discreet.

Hedonistic lifestyles have changed, here as elsewhere, since the advent of AIDS (SIDA in French). The resulting homophobia, though not as extreme as in most parts of the world, has nevertheless increased the suffering among gay men. The Pasteur Institute in Paris is at the forefront of research into the virus, though its gay patients have complained of being treated like cattle. A group of gay doctors and the association AIDES (Association pour l'Entraide et l'Information SIDA), however, have consistently provided sympathetic counselling and treatment, and the gay press has done a great deal to disseminate the facts about AIDS and to provide hope and encouragement. Lesbian organizations fight alongside gays on the general issue of anti-homosexuality, while also lobbying for women's rights.

Gay and lesbian contacts and information
ARCL (Les Archives, Recherches et Cultures Lesbiennes), based at the Maison des Femmes, below (tel 01.46.28.54.94, www.mrap.asso.fr ). ARCL publishes a biannual directory of lesbian, gay and feminist addresses in France, L'Annuaire (70F/¬10.68), and organizes frequent meetings around campaigning, artistic and intellectual issues.

ARIS (Accueil Rencontres Informations Services), 16 rue Polycarpe, Lyon (tel 04.78.27.10.10). Gay and lesbian centre organizing various activities and producing a bimonthly bulletin.

Centre Gai et Lesbienne , 3 rue Keller, 17011 Paris (Mon-Sat 2-8pm, Sun 2-7pm; tel 01.43.57.21.47, fax 01.43.57.27.93, www.cglparis.org; Mº Ledru-Rollin). The main information centre for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transexual community in the capital. The centre publishes a free map/guide to gay and lesbian Paris and a monthly magazine, 3 Keller , and is the meeting place for numerous campaigning, identity, health, arts and intellectual groups.

Centre Gai et Lesbienne Toulouse , 4 rue de Belfort (tel 05.61.62.30.62). Open for phone calls and visits Mon-Fri 5-8pm, Sat 3-8pm, and on Sunday the Café Positif , a great place for meeting people, is open from 3 to 7pm.

Collectif Gai et Lesbien Marseille et Provence , Maison des Associations, 93 La Canebière, Marseille (Mon, Wed & Fri 4-7pm; tel 04.91.42.07.48), and at Le Local, 9 rue Barbaroux, Marseille (tel 04.91.92.38.48). Publishes a bimonthly information bulletin.

Collectif Homosexuel d'Aide et d'Information de Loire-Atlantique , Maison des Associations, 42 rue Hauts Pavés, Nantes (tel 02.40.93.38.24). Brings together different gay and lesbian groups, ranging from Christian organizations to rambling enthusiasts.

Les Flamands Roses , Centre Culturel Libertaire, 1-2 rue Denis-du-Péage, Lille (tel 03.20.47.62.65, www.france.qrd.org/regions/lille/flamands ). Gay and lesbian social and campaigning group; publishes a monthly bulletin, Les Flamands Roses .

Gai Amitié Initiative Lorraine , PO Box 258, Nancy Cedex 54005 (tel 03.83.32.63.14). Gay and lesbian social and information network; publishes trimonthly bulletin, Le Chardon Rose .

Maison des Femmes , 163 rue de Charenton, 17012 Paris (Mon 5-8pm, Wed 3-8pm, Fri 5-10pm; café Fri 8pm-midnight; tel 01.43.43.41.13, fax 01.43.43.42.13; Mº Faidherbe-Chaligny). The main women's centre in the capital and home to ARCL and other lesbian groups.

Minitel . 36.15 GAY is the Minitel number to dial for information on groups, contacts, messages, etc.

Gay and Lesbian Media

Fréquence Gaie (FG) , 98.2 FM. 24-hour gay and lesbian radio station with music, news, chats, information on groups and events, etc.

Guide Gai Pied . The most comprehensive gay guide to France, published annually and carrying a good selection of lesbian and gay addresses, with an English section (79F/¬12.05); available in newsagents and bookshops in France. You can look at their Web site at www.gaipied.fr .

Lesbia . The most widely available lesbian publication, available from most newsagents. Each monthly issue features a wide range of articles, listings, reviews, lonely hearts and contacts.

Spartacus International Gay Guide . Guidebook in English focusing mainly on gay travel in Europe with an extensive section on France. Geared mostly towards males but with some info for lesbians. Available around the world at travel and gay bookshops.