Queers Beyond Borders

Paris (EN)

This page is also available in the following languages: French, Spanish, and Arabic.

 

Hello Paris!

Known for its fashion and glamour, Paris has long been a centre of queer culture. The city effortlessly blends history, art, and romance into its very fabric, and as the French capital, it is extremely multicultural.

The following sections have been developed with AIDES and ARDHIS, and contain everything you need to know about coming to Paris as a queer migrant.

 
 
 

Checklist

Just arrived in Paris? Here is a list of essentials to get you started:

 

⃞ Opening a bank account

Most French banks will ask you to provide proof of identity, address, and residence status. This can be a bit challenging, as you often can’t pay a utility bill or sign a lease until you have a French bank account. It’s best to build a dossier with as much documentation as you can and bring it all with you. The more proof you have, the better.

⃞ Getting a SIM card

Having a French phone number is extremely useful for getting around, accessing services and making appointments. You can easily buy a SIM card either online or in any mobile shop or supermarket. You can choose from several different providers and plans - if you are unsure which one suits your needs best, you can check out this guide.

⃞ Getting around 

Paris has an extensive public transport network, making it very easy to move around with no need for a car. The easiest and cheapest way to pay is through Navigo Liberté + which allows you to travel as much as you need with a daily price cap. You get charged at the end of the month. For more information on how to get around, visit the Paris public transport website.

 
 

Health information

Healthcare in France is available to anyone who works or resides in France on a stable and regular basis.

Here you will find everything you need to know about accessing healthcare services in Paris as a queer migrant:

 

  • You can apply for universal health protection (PUMa) if you have been residing in France for at least three months in a stable and legal situation, i.e. if you meet the legal residence requirement set out in Article L160-1 of the Social Security Code. You are also entitled to apply to Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, an aid that covers all health expenses for low income households or individuals.

    You benefit from PUMa, with any Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, whether or not you are in employment. The contribution is automatically calculated when you file your tax return, using information provided by the tax authorities. There is more information on the CPAM website (in French).

    Once you have registered with PUMa, you will receive a temporary social security number by post within 1 to 3 months.

    You will then receive a document called an "attestation de droits à l'assurance maladie". This document confirms your entitlement to French state health care and your French social security number.

  • Once you are affiliated to PUMa, you can apply for your French health insurance card, the “carte vitale”. Take it with you every time you visit a doctor, pharmacy or specialist. It may be 6 months or more before you receive it, but you can use your social security number to access health services during this waiting period.

    If you are an asylum seeker waiting to hear on a decision for your application, you can register with PUMa after three months but you cannot get a carte vitale. In any case, you will be able to access urgent care - see the question below for more details.

  • If you are residing in France without papers, you can apply for the Aide Médicale d'Etat (AME) scheme. To qualify, you must: be without a residence permit; prove that you have been residing in France for at least 3 consecutive months; and declare income of less than 810 euros per month for a single person. This is health cover for one year, with no automatic renewal. AME covers healthcare costs at 100% of the social security rate. Go to this link for more details.

    If you have been residing in France for less than three months, you can still access urgent and vital care (DSUV). You can also go to a PASS (Permanence d'accès aux soins de santé), whose mission is to receive and care for people in vulnerable situations, including migrants who have been resident in France for less than 3 months and therefore do not benefit from AME, or who are excluded from DSUV. For more information, check out this link.

  • If you live in France on a stable and regular basis, you will be affiliated to the health insurance scheme, and may have access to complementary health insurance, and therefore have access to HIV treatment. HIV is recognised as a "long-term condition", and tests and treatment are reimbursed at 100% (within the limits of the Health Insurance tariffs). To qualify, your doctor must complete a care protocol and send it to the Assurance Maladie (Social Security).

  • You can go to your GP or family doctor if you need any sexual health treatment. If necessary, they will refer you to specialist services.

  • You can get an HIV test in a public CeGIDD centre or at some community organisations such as Le Checkpoint Paris. You can also get tested at any biological analysis laboratory with no need of a prescription. This is called "Au labo sans ordo" - find more information on this link.

    You can also get a home testing kit at any pharmacy. However, note that if you self-test and get a positive result, you will have to get a confirmatory laboratory test.

  • If you are HIV negative and think you have been at risk of contracting HIV in the past 48 hours, you can ask for PEP.

    PEP is a combination of drugs that can stop HIV. It needs to be taken for 28 days.

    You can get PEP at the emergency department of any public hospital in Paris.

  • PrEP is a way of preventing HIV by taking a pill before sex and continued after sex. It’s taken by someone who doesn’t have HIV, to prevent them from getting HIV.

    PrEP is free in the French healthcare system. You can go to your GP to get it prescribed, or book an appointment for a PrEP consultation at the hospital, at a CeGIDD centre, or a sexual health centre. You can find the nearest centre at https://www.aides.org/ou-trouver-la-prep-vih or this map.

  • AIDES have a lot of chemsex resources - both videos and in written format - on how to reduce risk and protect yourself while engaging in chemsex. Have a look at their website here.

    Le Checkpoint Paris has a chemsex and drug service that allows you to meet with a health professional to discuss your drug usage, whatever your goal is: to assess, control, reduce and/or stop. You can book an appointment via phone, calling 01 44 78 00 00 or online by filling in this form.

  • In France all gender-affirming procedures are free of any charges. A new law allows transgender people to change their identity without any medical prerequisite.

    You will first need to find a doctor who can prescribe you hormones. Some doctors may ask you for a gender dysphoria diagnosis before prescribing you hormones. However, this is not a requirement in France and you can avoid it by going to a doctor who is knowledgeable on trans issues.

    You can go to your nearest family planning clinic to get a prescription without need for a dysphoria diagnosis. The website BDDTrans also has a list of doctors who are trans-friendly.

    You can also reach out to a trans organisation near you who can give you advice and recommend you doctors - check out this map for a list of organisations you can reach out to. Organisations such as Espace Santé Trans, Acceptess-T or Flirt will be able to help you out.

  • Most sexual health services aimed at the LGBTQ+ community focus on health care for men who have sex with men and transgender people. There is a widespread misconception that cis women who have sex with women are not at risk of STIs. In addition, many queer women and non-binary individuals are hesitant to get the gynaecological care that they need due to prejudices related to sexuality and gender.

    The website Gyn&Co has developed an extensive database of feminist gynaecologists in France, with details on the services they offer. You can filter it to find queer-friendly doctors near you that suit your needs, so that you can feel as comfortable as possible during your appointment.

  • The mpox vaccine is available for free in France for all men who have sex with men, transgender people, and sex workers. Find your nearest centre to get vaccinated on this link.

  • It is recommended that men who have sex with men are vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, especially if you’re having lots of sex. You can get vaccinated for free by your GP or at a sexual health clinic. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but you can take precautions to avoid getting it - see below.

  • Hepatitis C is more common in some groups of men who have sex with men. If you’re having lots of sex, have particular types of sex (including fisting), or have injected drugs, getting tested for Hep C at your regular sexual health check-ups is recommended. For more information about the virus and how to prevent transmission, go to this link.

 
 

Mental health support

Moving to a new place often means being far away from our family, friends, and the people that make up our support networks back home. Struggling with loneliness and homesickness as a migrant is very common, and it can take a significant toll on our mental health.

If you need help, this section can help you access the resources that are available to you.

 

  • Checkpoint Paris has a mental health support service that allows you to meet with a queer-friendly psychiatrist. They can give you advice and refer you to other specialists if you need it. You can book an appointment via phone, calling 01 44 78 00 00 or online by filling in this form.

    If you are trans or non-binary, the organisation Acceptess-T also runs a free mental health support service every Monday from 1 to 7pm. You need to book an appointment in advance. Check out this link for details.

  • ARDHIS is an LGBTQI+ organisation advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ migrants. They provide psychological support, among many other services. For more details, go to their website.

    Le Comede (Committee for the Health of Refugees) is an organisation that advocates for the health of refugees and their rights. Their Paris branch recently opened a reception centre specifically to provide mental health support to LGBTQ+ refugees. To find out more and book an appointment, you can email exilqueer@comede.org.

  • Le Checkpoint Paris has a support service for people who use drugs that allows you to meet with a health professional who can give you advice and propose the most adequate treatment to meet your goals. You can book an appointment via phone, calling 01 44 78 00 00 or online by filling in this form.

    AIDES also have a lot of resources - while they are mostly focused on chemsex, they can also be useful for other types of drug users. Have a look at this page.

 
 

Social groups & Community

Looking to make new friends? Making connections, building community and having a good support network around you can help you feel less alone and settle into your new home.

Here you can find lots of links and resources to make queer connections and explore what Paris has to offer you.

 

  • The LGBTQI+ Centre of Paris and Île-de-France has an extensive social and cultural programme. They organise social groups for specific demographics - such as young LGBTQ+ people, queer women, and elderly queer women - as well as a wide range of events, activities and workshops. Have a look at their upcoming events on their website.

    Another site worth visiting is la Bulle, a solidarity space for queer minorities - such as migrants, people of colour, trans people, and those who are living with HIV. It was founded by several different LGBTQ+ organisations in Paris, including ARDHIS and others that work to support queer migrants. For more information, go to their website.

  • The organisation BAAM manages several free French courses for immigrants across Paris. You do not need to sign up in advance. For more information and to see their locations and schedule, follow this link.

    The French Red Cross also runs French courses for all levels. They are run by local units in each arrondissement. Find your nearest class and further details on this link.

    Humans for Women also offers free French classes specifically for refugee women and their families. For more details and to sign up, go to this page.

    ARDHIS also runs French classes for immigrants and asylum seekers. If you’d like to sign up, you can contact them online or by calling 09 72 47 19 55 to find out more.

  • There are several queer organisations in Paris that run social groups and activities specifically for migrants and refugees. Here are some of them:

    • The organisations Wassla and ANKH focus on supporting LGBTQ+ people of Arab origin. They organise many social activities, such as talks, film screenings, and club nights. Go to their respective websites for more information.

    • BAAM organises theatre and dance workshops for migrants. You can sign up by emailing baam.cultures@gmail.com. For more details, visit their website.

  • The LGBTQI+ Centre in Paris regularly hosts LGBTQI-themed art exhibitions. They also run several other cultural activities and events, such as lesbian and gay book festivals, and an LGBT comic and illustration festival. Have a look at everything they have coming up on this link.

 
 

Legal advice

We know - bureaucracy is a nightmare. This section is here to make it a bit more bearable for you.

 

For refugees and asylum seekers

  • You do not need a lawyer to submit an application for asylum in France. However, there are several organisations that can help you and provide legal advice if you are struggling with the application process. We recommend getting in touch with ARDHIS or BAAM, who provide support specifically for queer asylum seekers.

  • If you are in Paris or Ile-de-France and want to apply for asylum, you need to contact the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) to arrange an appointment at a SPADA reception centre. You can call them at 01 42 500 900, Monday to Friday between 9am and 3:30pm. You can choose from several different language options. Keep in mind that waiting times can be quite long, and you may have to try several times.

    During your SPADA appointment, you will have to provide some information about yourself and will be given a convocation letter inviting you to an appointment at the ‘single central reception desk’ (GUDA), where you will be able to register your asylum application. They will give you a form that you will then have to post to the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), the French organisation for international protection. They will examine your application, interview you and decide whether or not to grant you protection.

    When completing the form and during your interview with OFPRA, it is important to give as much detail as possible to back your case; make sure to disclose your sexual and/or gender orientation, and explain why you are seeking protection and why you are in danger in your home country.

    If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision before the National Court for Asylum (CNDA).

    This is a lengthy (and confusing!) process. For a more detailed explanation, have a look at this guide from the organisation Watizat.

    It is important to keep in mind that the steps to take during the asylum process change often. For this reason, we highly recommend getting in touch with an organisation that specialises in the topic, such as ARDHIS, who provides legal advice and can inform you on how the process currently works.

  • ARDHIS is one of the main organisations in Paris dedicated to defending the rights of LGBTQ+ migrants and refugees. They can give you legal advice and support you throughout the asylum application process, as well as with obtaining legal residency in France. For more details, go to their website.

    BAAM also runs an LGBTQ+ asylum support service, every Tuesday from 6PM to 8PM. You don’t need to make an appointment, but it is helpful if you can contact them in advance and tell them about your visit by emailing baam.lgbt@gmail.com. Find more details here.

    La MIF is an activist association that fights for the abolition of borders and to support migrants in France. You can check out their Facebook page, and get in touch by emailing la.mif.asso@gmail.com.

General immigration questions

  • France recognises same sex partnerships, which means that you can immigrate to the country to be with your partner under the same conditions as anyone in a heterosexual relationship. In order to come to France long term and be eligible for a residence permit, you will need to be married to your partner, since that will make you eligible for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS). After one year, you will be able to apply for a Carte de séjour ‘Vie privée et familiale’ (residence permit). You will have to provide evidence of communal living (communauté de vie) with your partner - that you have been living together for at least a year. For more information, go to this page.

    For further information and advice, you can get in touch with ARDHIS. They run an advice service specifically for binational LGBTQ+ couples. Go to their website to find out when and how to book an appointment. You can also contact them online through this form.

  • You risk being deported from France if you are a foreigner living irregularly in the country. Depending on how long you have been living in France and your private and family ties to the country, you may benefit from relative protection.

    If a deportation decision is taken, you can appeal against it. Go on this link for more details about the procedure.

    We strongly advise getting support from a lawyer if you have been summoned before a deportation commission or you think that you are at risk of being deported. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you might be able to get legal aid. Go on this page for details.

  • Sex work is illegal in France. However, the law mainly punishes clients, rather than sex workers themselves. In order to prove that someone has purchased sexual services, the police may ask for the testimony of the sex worker concerned. However, they cannot arrest you unless they suspect you of having committed any other offence.

    If you need advice, you can get in touch with the Syndicate of Sex Work in France (STRASS). Visit their website for details.

  • A hate crime is an act of violence or hostility because of who you are. French law recognises hate crimes on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

    If you have experienced a hate crime, you can report it to the police if you feel safe to do so. The Paris police has an LGBT liaison officer who covers anti-LGBT crimes and supports victims - find out more here. You can also go to the Paris LGBT Centre for legal advice - go on this link for details on how to book an appointment.

  • The French penal code does not explicitly criminalise the intentional sexual transmission of HIV or the exposure of others to a risk of transmission. However, cases of HIV criminalisation have used laws related to ‘poisoning’ and ‘administration of harmful substances’ and applied them to the sexual transmission of HIV.

    Laws relating to HIV status disclosure are different from country-to-country, and can frequently change. The HIV Justice Network provides an extensive database of HIV criminalisation law around the world and provides up-to-date information globally.

 
 

Housing advice

The Paris housing market can be intense, and finding a place to call home is especially challenging as a migrant.

If you are tired of going to viewings and dealing with unresponsive landlords, this section will make your experience more bearable and help you manage challenging situations.

 

  • There are several websites you can use to find housing in Paris, such as La Carte des Colocs, Appartoo, and Appartager. While there is no filter to find LGBTQ-friendly housing, adverts for rooms in LGBTQ+ friendly households often pop up and you may want to keep an eye on it.

    For a more queer-centred experience, you can join the Facebook group Chez Queer Paris to find available rooms in queer households, or to meet other LGBTQ+ people to buddy up with and rent a property together.

  • Paris is a very LGBTQ+ friendly city, and queer people are everywhere! No matter which arrondissement you live in, you are likely to see other queer people around you, and no particular area is safer than others.

    However, there are some areas that have a higher concentration of LGBTQ+ venues and organisations, and that tend to attract queer people. Le Marais is Paris’ gaybourhood par excellence, and is packed with queer venues. Montmartre, known as Paris’ most bohemian and artsy neighbourhood, also attracts lots of queer people.

  • When you apply for asylum in France, the OFII should offer you housing. However, waiting times can be very long. There are several organisations around Paris that can help you find accommodation - most of these are not exclusively for refugees or asylum seekers, but they will be able to support you nonetheless:

    • Samusocial de Paris is a humanitarian emergency service that runs emergency housing centres. They have some women-only centres, which also provide health consultations - especially gynaecological - and run activities to help empower women. You can contact them by calling 115 - the number is active 24/7 and also has a translation service. Check out their website for more information.

    • If you are a lesbian or trans person, you can also get in touch with Front d’Habitat Lesbien. They can be contacted via Facebook or Instagram.

    • The organisation Acceptess-T runs a social support service for trans people in precarious situations called FAST. They can help you find housing and also run many other services. Go to this page to find out more.

    • Basiliade is an organisation that provides housing mainly for people living with HIV in precarious situations. They have several houses in Paris that also provide social and legal support. Go to their website for more details.

    • You can also reach out to ARDHIS for help and advice tailored to queer refugees and asylum seekers.

  • If you are a young queer person (between 14 to 25 years old) you can check out Le Refuge. It offers accommodation and support to young LGBTQ+ people victims of homophobia or transphobia and who have been estranged from their family.

    If you are older than 25, have a look at the organisations listed in the question above who can help you find safe housing.

  • In France, a winter truce (la trêve hivernale) prevents landlords from evicting a tenant during winter, including reasons such as not paying rent. This period is normally from November 1st to March 31st.

    At other times, the landlord has a right to evict you if they fail to pay the rent on time, don’t take liability insurance, or for other serious conditions. Even in these circumstances, the landlord must give you a 6-month notice.

  • In 2022, the French government put into place a ‘rent shield’, capping rent increases to a maximum of 3.5%. If your landlord tries to increase your rent above this amount, you can refuse. You will not be evicted for refusing to pay a rent increase above 3.5%.

  • French law protects tenants against discrimination, and a landlord cannot refuse to rent their property to you because of your gender identity or sexual orientation. If you are being discriminated against, you can contact the Défenseur des Droits or start a civil procedure against the landlord. This will not ensure you the rental, but might at least allow to sanction the landlord.

  • If your flatmates are discriminating or being abusive towards you for being queer, the best thing to do for your safety is to leave as soon as possible. If you feel comfortable, you can report the issue to your landlord/estate agent to explain why you want to move out, or try to find a solution.

    You will normally have to give at least one month’s notice to move out. If you feel like your safety is at risk and you need to leave immediately, you can reach out to Paris’ social services for advice and to find temporary accommodation.

  • Most landlords will require you to go through a reference and identity check process before renting out their property to you, and may not accept tenants who are undocumented or cannot provide proof of income. However, some landlords might accept cash payments if you ask them.

    If you are a sex worker, you do not have to disclose your occupation - the most important thing is to provide proof that you earn enough to afford rent. If you can afford it, you can offer to pay several months’ rent in advance to increase your chances of securing a place to live.

 
 

Sex & Connections

Looking for a hookup? Wanna know what the hottest dating apps are? Looking to find someone with the same kinks as you? Regardless of your preferences, Paris is bound to have something for you.

Feel free to explore this section, and don’t forget to always take the necessary precautions.

 

  • Besides dating apps, Paris has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene with plenty of venues where you can meet people. Les Marais in particular is Paris ‘gaybourhood’, and there you will find a variety of venues that cater to the LGBTQ+ community: have a look at this guide to find which ones are the best fit for you.

  • Hooking up and dating as a queer woman can be tricky due to a general lack of apps and spaces that cater to this demographic. However, besides mainstream dating apps, HER is quite popular in Paris and worth a try.

    If you would like to meet queer women in person, Paris has several lesbian bars, clubs and other spaces. The Marais Lesbian Guide contains information about all of them.

  • Paris is a big city with plenty of options if you are looking to engage in casual sex. Mobile apps such as Grindr, Scruff, HER or Lex are very popular amongst queer people to find dates and hookups. As in any city, it's important to follow these safety tips:

    • Consider meeting your hookup in public first: if you met on an app, consider meeting in a public space, so that you can make sure they really are who they claimed to be, and assess whether or not you feel comfortable and safe with them before taking things further.

    • Let someone know where you’re going and who you’re going with: tell someone you trust that you are going for a hookup, so that if they do not hear from you after several hours they can check up on you. You can also share your location with them so that they know where you are in case you need help!

    • Discuss your boundaries and preferences: communicate clearly with your hookup about what type of sex you want to have (and if you want sex at all!). You should never do anything that you don’t feel fully comfortable doing.

    • Always ask for consent! Even if you have already discussed beforehand what you would like to do, you still need to get consent from the other person before you actually engage in any sexual activity. Remember that it is also okay to change your mind and say no if you no longer feel comfortable having sex with someone.

  • The overwhelming majority of queer spaces and dating apps in Paris are trans-friendly. Nonetheless, if you are looking to hookup it is best to always take some safety precautions. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, get away as soon as you can and if possible get help from a friend or anyone you feel safe with.

  • Cruising - looking for people to have sex with in a public place, such as a park - is not illegal in France. However, you might risk getting in trouble if someone sees you having sex in public as it might be considered ‘sexual exhibition’ which is a crime under French law. Be careful when choosing a spot and make sure no one can see you.

    You still need to make sure you are safe while cruising: if you are going to a new location, find out where the exits, dead ends and shortcuts are. Remember that consent is still important and you always have the right to say no - stick to your boundaries!

  • A city the size of Paris has way more places to connect beyond the commercial ‘scene’. Many of us don’t have the money to hang out in pubs or bars, or we might be sober or in recovery and want to avoid being around alcohol.

    Paris has a couple of queer bookshops: ‘Les Mots à la Bouche’ and Violette & Co - the latter being a feminist and lesbian bookshop. It is currently closed, but they are hoping to reopen soon. There is also a queer bakery, Legay Choc, where you can get as many French pastries as you want - with a queer twist!

    If this is still not enough, have a look at meetup.com to find other queer groups with the same interests as you.