{"id":213,"date":"2004-08-17T04:37:06","date_gmt":"2004-08-17T04:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/doylelogan.com\/anywherebuthere\/?p=213"},"modified":"2004-08-17T04:37:06","modified_gmt":"2004-08-17T04:37:06","slug":"its-nice-to-be-wanted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunsetdrivestudio.com\/travel\/?p=213","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Nice to be Wanted"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"id1\" class=\"style_SkipStroke shape-with-text\">\n<div class=\"text-content Normal_External_620_41\">\n<div class=\"Normal\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style\">France has a long history of tolerance for alternative sexuality. It\u2019s been a refuge for homosexuals from Oscar Wilde to James Baldwin to Gertrude Stein, and a live and let live attitude regarding love and sex seems to prevail. Recently though, France has been moving beyond tolerance to a genuinely enthusiastic embrace of gay residents and visitors. The mayor of Paris is openly gay. Recent legislation extends domestic partner (essentially marriage rights) benefits to same sex couples&#8211;and this approved under a conservative national government. Gay bars, bed and breakfasts, shops, restaurants, gay organizations, saunas and discos are proliferating&#8211;not only in Paris, but in smaller cities throughout France. The national and regional tourist offices, businesses, mainstream hotels and restaurants, and individual city governments are all enthusiastically welcoming gay travelers. It\u2019s nice to be wanted!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"style_SkipStroke_1 shape-with-text flowDefining\">\n<div class=\"text-content style_External_620_5647\">\n<div class=\"style\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Pride in Gay Paree<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">You\u2019ll feel especially welcome during the last weekend in June, when Paris\u2019 puts on it\u2019s huge annual\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">gay pride<\/span> celebration. Watch the festive, chaotic and very long parade from any point along its considerable route from Place d\u2019 Italie to Nation (Bastille is a convenient location) or join in and march with a favorite group&#8211;every one is welcome to participate as well as watch. Afterwards, the Marais becomes a huge street party for the remainder of the evening. Naturally there are disco parties and special events the whole weekend long. And while Paris Pride is the ultimate, cities throughout France now have gay parades and events&#8211;you could spend all of June celebrating gay pride, French style.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">Even on a normal day, Paris is the center of gay life in France, with a huge gay community, bars and clubs of every description, trendy gay restaurants, stores selling trendy clothes and campy doodads, and an excellent gay bookstore (<span class=\"style_1\">Les Mots a La Bouche<\/span>). Begin your exploration of Gay Paris at the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Open Cafe<\/span>. It seems like every gay boy in Paris eventually strolls by these sidewalk table, and you can happily linger over a coffee, beer or cocktail. Pick up free copies of the several weekly gay agendas for detailed listings of the many other bars and events. The Marais, the lively and traditionally gay quarter of Paris is so popular now that gays have begun colonizing adjacent areas as well&#8211;Rue Oberkampf, Canal St. Martin, and the slightly seedy Second Arrondissement are all worth a look. Of course you will see gay people everywhere in Paris and you should feel at home wherever you go.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Racing to embrace gays<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">Many visitors&#8211;and many Parisians themselves&#8211;have the impression that that gay life in France begins and ends in Paris. Now a number of regions and cities throughout the country are taking various initiatives to prove that they are just as gay friendly as the capitol. Leading the pack in the this regard is\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Le Mans<\/span>, a Loire Valley town best known for the exciting (but not at all gay)<span class=\"style_1\">Circuit Des 24 Heures du Mans<\/span> auto race. Yet the city also boasts an organization of gay friendly businesses\u2014<span class=\"style_2\">Charte d\u2019accueil et de bienvenue Lesbian and Gay Friendly<\/span>\u2014which now includes most of the hospitality industry in Le Mans. For instance, the grand old belle \u00e9poque<span class=\"style_1\">Hotel Concorde<\/span>, traditional and charmingly old-fashioned, proudly displays its gay friendly charter at the front door. Restaurants are also gay friendly; try traditional cuisine of the Loire at<span class=\"style_1\">Le Grangeraie<\/span> in the center of town, or venture out to the nearby nature reserve\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">L\u2019 Arche de la Nature<\/span>, for a simple but delicious buffet on a farm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">For something more exciting, you can practice your own racing skills on a gas powered go-cart at the very butch\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Circuits \u201cAlain Prost\u201d<\/span>. The hunky staff won\u2019t care if you are gay or even if you send your cart crashing at high-speed through the track-side barricade! Auto racing is a theme running through the town, and for aficionados there is great collection of historic vehicles in the<span class=\"style_1\">Mus\u00e9e de l\u2019Automobile<\/span>. Historic Le Mans\u2014dating back to the 13th century&#8211;is really the highlight of the city however.\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Vieux Le Mans<\/span>, the medieval core, boasts the largest concentration of half-timbered buildings in France. And not to be missed&#8211;not that you could&#8211;is the immense\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Cathedral St. Julien<\/span> which spans the entire range of medieval church architecture from fortress-like Romanesque to flamboyant high gothic. The gay \u201cscene\u201d is small town, but in addition to the gay friendly bars and cafes, you will also find a gay disco (<span class=\"style_1\">La Limite<\/span>), cabaret (<span class=\"style_1\">Palace Cafe<\/span>) and sauna (<span class=\"style_1\">Le Nil<\/span>), should you find yourself craving company.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Life in a Student Town<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">In\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Montpellier<\/span>, in what is thought of as the more conservative south, perhaps it is the presence of so many students that lends a gay friendly atmosphere. Of the city\u2019s 240,000 residents, 60,000 are students, creating an overwhelmingly youthful vibe. Add to this the relentless sunshine, and the plentiful terrace cafes that surround every square and you have one of the best cities for people watching in France! The\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Cafe de la Mer<\/span> is\u00a0<span class=\"style_2\">the<\/span> gay cafe, with tables spilling out into a popular square, and ultra-cute waiters. Grab a table and a\u00a0<span class=\"style_2\">pernod<\/span> and watch the boys (and girls) go by. The nearby\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Rue des Teissiers<\/span> is a narrow passage lined with small gay and gay friendly cafes, their sidewalk tables creating a sort of nonstop block party. For late night partying,\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Le Heaven<\/span> and\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Le New THT<\/span> offer boys, drinks and small dance floors once you have buzzed your way in. For sun and swimming, the Mediterranean beaches are a short drive from town and the surrounding country side is dotted with ancient villages, Languedoc wineries and ruined Templar castles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">Back in the city, the best way to see the city\u2019s rather hidden historic sites is with the excellent three hour guided tour offered by the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Office du Tourisme Montpellier<\/span>. You\u2019ll get a look into the courtyards of private renaissance houses and the 12th century Jewish ritual bath&#8211;rediscovered after seven centuries! Montpelier is home as well to some really great food; for an incredible meal don\u2019t miss\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">La Compagnie des Comptoirs<\/span>\u2014or their (much less expensive) sister restaurant on the beach at nearby La Grande Motte. The latter is a tent which sits directly on the beach affording incredible views of the Mediterranean and the option of a post lunch swim; the entire restaurant is dismantled in the autumn, and re-erected each spring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Relaxing in Provence<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">Provence is probably the most popular holiday region in France after Paris. It\u2019s a perfect spot for sun, scenery, wine, and lazily whiling away the days at an outdoor restaurant or a hotel swimming pool. For a real treat,\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">L\u2019Hotel Les Ateliers de L\u2019Image<\/span> is the sort of hotel you actually hate to leave to go sightseeing. The rooms are simple, cool and comfortable; The public areas are fashion magazine chic; but it is the large, stunningly beautiful pool and the extensive grounds that make the hotel a destination in itself. Though located in the heart of little\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">St. Remy<\/span>, the pool overlooks the open countryside&#8211;perfect for cooling off midday, or for a midnight swim. As there are only 24 rooms, it feels very exclusive, and very private. The highlight of St. Remy are the excavations of the Roman city of\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Glanum<\/span>. You can see the foundations of the ancient buildings and the Roman street grid, yet two thirds of this sizable city remains buried. There is a short walking trail to take you there. This entire region of course was an important part of the Roman empire, and reminders of this ancient heritage are everywhere. In\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Arles<\/span>, the Roman arena is still used for bullfights and the local variant, bull racing. In bull racing, unarmed (and apparently reckless) young men compete with bulls&#8211;the bulls are never harmed, and they, not the boys, achieve fame and status! Again, for the best look at Arles\u2019 many Roman ruins and Medieval buildings, the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Arles Office de Tourisme<\/span> offers excellent guided visits in English. The<span class=\"style_1\">Mus\u00e9e de L\u2019Arles Antique<\/span> features extensive ancient artifacts from the region. Fascinating and beautifully presented, this relatively new museum should not be missed.\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Avignon<\/span> is home to the monumental\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Palais du Papes<\/span>, the temporary residence of the popes during the 14th century. It\u2019s an impressive example of religious fortress architecture. The town itself is charming, retaining its old city wall and filled with sunny squares and outdoor restaurants. And with six Michelin star restaurants, Avignon offers some pretty impressive Proven\u00e7al cuisine. Avignon is also the center of gay life in the region. It\u2019s handful of gay bars (<span class=\"style_1\">Le Cid Cafe<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">LMCafe<\/span>), clubs (<span class=\"style_1\">Le Esclave<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">The Cage<\/span>) and sauna (<span class=\"style_1\">H Club<\/span>) draw gays from throughout the region. Mostly though, province is more about relaxing than a pulsing nightlife&#8211;and you may be surprised to find that there are huge number of gay and specifically gay friendly hotels, bed and breakfast properties, country houses and villas&#8211;many quite luxurious&#8211;scattered throughout the region. The organization\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Gay Provence<\/span> is an excellent source for Provence accommodation, restaurants, and information; they are very eager to offer advice and assistance and maintain an comprehensive and informative website. Spring, early summer and Autumn are the best times to visit Provence&#8211;it is warm but not so crowded. If you want to see the world famous\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Avignon Arts Festival<\/span> though, you will have to brave the July heat and crowds&#8211;and book everything well in advance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">A Quick Jaunt from Paris<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">Only an hour northwest of Paris, and easily accessible by train, the charming city of\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Rouen<\/span> is perfectly located for a weekend trip from Paris. This medieval town, where\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Jeanne d\u2019Arc<\/span> was burned at the stake, has much to offer&#8211;historic architecture, an impressive cathedral, a good art museum, great Norman food, and pleasant inexpensive hotels. And Rouen also boasts a lively and friendly gay scene, including two very busy lesbian bars. Reserve a room at the the gay-owned\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">La Vieux Carre<\/span>, which also has a very pleasnt restaurant. It\u2019s very reasonably priced, centrally located and oozing with half-timbered charm. Exploring this small city is effort free&#8211;you can easily visit all the main sites on foot. While the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Cathedral Notre Dame<\/span>&#8211;made even more famous by Monet\u2019s paintings&#8211;is the most impressive building in town, other nearby monuments worth seeing are the flamboyantly Gothic\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Palais du Justice<\/span>, The\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Eglise St.-Ouen<\/span>, the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Horloge<\/span> medieval clock tower, and the streets of ancient half-timbered houses. A visit to the pleasant\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Mus\u00e9e des Beaux-Arts<\/span> makes a restful change from the crowds at the Paris museums. Too much culture? Rouen offers an astonishing range of shopping for its size&#8211;from incredible chocolates and pastries to handmade luxury items, and branches of the famous Paris design houses such as Hermes. In the evening, gay life beckons. The\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">XXL<\/span> has a bar on the ground floor, a small disco below, and frequent theme parties&#8211;often a decidedly sexual theme. A casual, friendly atmosphere pervades, thanks to the efforts of gregarious owner Stephane. Just down the street,\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Blues<\/span> offers a huge cocktail menu, and a laid-back lounge atmosphere. The lesbian scene is particularly lively (because of the link to gender bending heroine Jeanne d\u2019 Arc?) with two busy bars.\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Le<\/span> <span class=\"style_1\">Miss Marple<\/span>&#8211;named for the famous fictional detective&#8211;and<span class=\"style_1\">L\u2019Insolite<\/span> are both filled with friendly and attractive women.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">sidebar: A Luxury Weekend in Paris<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">The Marais is funky, fun, and tres gay, but perhaps you dream of that chic, ultra-luxurious, and very romantic Paris you\u2019ve seen in so many movies. Could it get any more glamorous than a weekend at the\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Four Seasons George V<\/span> Hotel? This historic property, with huge rooms, stunning decor, staff rushing to accommodate your every whim, and every amenity you can think of, is one of the world\u2019s great hotels. See Robbie Williams check out as the Rolling Stones check in\u2014the hotel routinely caters to celebrities and presidents\u2014yet Director of Marketing Jean-Pierre Soutric is enthusiastic about welcoming and accommodating gay guests. The concierge can even direct you to the current gay hotspots. It couldn\u2019t be more luxurious and romantic, but of course all this comes at quite a price (do inquire about the many discounts and packages on offer). Still, you\u2019ll be the envy of your friends back home. The\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Hyatt Regency Paris Madeleine <\/span>is smaller luxury hotel, with a cool, contemporary look, stylishly comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and a relaxed atmosphere. It will appeal to artistic types (it\u2019s Pavarotti\u2019s hotel of choice) and again, gay guests are enthusiastically welcomed. Now, put on your best Paris suit (or pick up a stylish yet reasonably priced new one from local menswear designer\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Melchior<\/span>) and head out for a deluxe meal at one of Paris\u2019 famed restaurants. Try the chic, contemporary<span class=\"style_1\">Maison Blanche<\/span>, with its stunning city views or the George V\u2019s own 3 star\u00a0<span class=\"style_1\">Le Cinq<\/span>. However, whether you opt for luxury hotels or a pension in the Marais, Michelin star restaurants or cozy bistros, an evening stroll through Paris with a special friend is as romantic as any movie, and costs nothing at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">The List: Stay\/Eat\/Play\/Do<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">PARIS<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Hotel Ambassador Concorde<\/span> 16 Blvd Haussmann, +33 1\/4483-4040<span class=\"style_1\"> <\/span>fax +33 01\/4296-1984,<a title=\"http:\/\/www.hotelambassador-paris.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hotelambassador-paris.com\/\">www.hotelambassador-paris.com<\/a>, 200-500 Euros)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Hotel Four Seasons George V <\/span>31 Avenue George V, +33 1\/4952-7001 fax +33 01\/4952-7011,<a title=\"http:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/\">www.fourseasons.com,<\/a> 565-2250 euros,<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Hotel Hyatt Regency Madeleine <\/span>24 Boulevard Malesherbes, + 33 1\/5527-1207 fax 33 1\/5527-1210,\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.paris-hyatt.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.paris-hyatt.com\/\">www.paris-hyatt.com<\/a>, 355-600 euros<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Paris Tourist Office and Convention Bureau <\/span>127 Avenue des Champs Elysees, 33 01\/49.52.53.27 Fax\u00a0+33 1\/4952-5330\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.paris-touristoffice.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.paris-touristoffice.com\/\">www.paris-touristoffice.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Open Cafe <\/span>17 rue des Archives, +33 1\/4887-8025<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Melchior <\/span>various locations around Paris<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Maison Blanche <\/span>15 avenue Montaigne, 33\/1 4723-5599 fax 33\/1 4720-0956<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">LE MANS<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Hotel Concorde <\/span>16 Avenue G\u00e9n\u00e9ral Leclerc. +33 2\/4324-1230, fax +33 2\/4324-8574,<a title=\"http:\/\/www.concordelemans.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.concordelemans.com\/\">www.concordelemans.com<\/a>, 88-140 euros<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Grangeraie <\/span>23 place de l\u2019\u00e9peron, +33 2\/4323-9306, 14-20 euros<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Mans Tourist Office <\/span>Rue de l\u2019Etoile, +33 2\/4328-1722 Fax\u00a0: +33 2\/4328-1214,\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.ville-lemans.fr\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ville-lemans.fr\/\">www.ville-lemans.fr<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">La Limite<\/span> 7 rue Saint-Honor\u00e9, +33 2\/ 4324-8554<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Palace Cafe <\/span>101 avenue du G\u00e9n\u00e9ral-Leclerc, +33 2\/4387-0936<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Nil <\/span>36 rue de Fluerus, +33 2\/4323-2681<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">MONTPELLIER<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">La Compagnie des Comptoirs <\/span>La Grand Travers, La Grande Motte, +33 4\/6756-4342 fax +33 4\/6756-4342,\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.lacompagnedescomptoirs.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.lacompagnedescomptoirs.com\/\">www.lacompagnedescomptoirs.com<\/a>, 20-25 euros<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Languedoc Roussillon Regional Tourist Board <\/span>417<span class=\"style_1\"> <\/span>rue Samuel Morse Montpellier,+33 04\/6722-81.00 Fax +33 04\/6722-8027,<a title=\"http:\/\/www.tourisme-languedoc-roussillon.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tourisme-languedoc-roussillon.com\/\">www.tourisme-languedoc-roussillon.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Cafe de la Mer <\/span>5 place du March\u00e9-aux-Fluers, +33\/4 6760-7965<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Heaven <\/span>1 rue Delpech, +33\/4 6760-4418<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le New THT <\/span>12 rue Saint-Firmin, +33\/4 6766-1252<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">PROVENCE<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">L\u2019Hotel Les Ateliers de L\u2019Image <\/span>36 boulevard Victor Hugo Saint R\u00e9my de Provence, +33 4\/9092-5150 fax +33 4\/9092-5150, email\u00a0<a title=\"mailto:info@hotelphoto.com\" href=\"mailto:info@hotelphoto.com\">info@hotelphoto.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Arles Office de Tourisme <\/span>43 Bd de Craponne, +33\/4 9018-4124,\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.ville-arles.fr\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ville-arles.fr\/\">www.ville-arles.fr<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Provence Regional Touist Board <\/span><a title=\"http:\/\/www.crt-paca.fr\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.crt-paca.fr\/\">www.crt-paca.fr<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Cid Cafe <\/span>11 pace de l\u2019Horloge, +33\/4 9082-3038<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">LMCafe <\/span>40 rue des Lices, +33\/4 9086-1967<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le Esclave <\/span>12 rue du Limas, +33\/49085-1491<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">The Cage <\/span>Gare Routi\u00e8re, +33\/4 9027-0084<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">H Club <\/span>20 rue de Paul-Manivet, +33\/4 9085-0039<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">ROUEN<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">La Vieux Carre <\/span>34 rue de la Ganterie, +33\/2 3571-6770 fax +33 2\/3571-1917,\u00a0<a title=\"mailto:vieux-carre@mcom.fr\" href=\"mailto:vieux-carre@mcom.fr\">vieux-carre@mcom.fr<\/a>,\u00a0<a title=\"http:\/\/www.vieux-carre.fr\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.vieux-carre.fr\/\">www.vieux-carre.fr<\/a>, 60 euros<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Rouen Tourist Office<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">25 place de la Cath\u00e9drale, +32 2\/3208-3242 fax +33\/2 3208-3656,<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><a title=\"http:\/\/www.rouentourisme.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rouentourisme.com\/\">www.rouentourisme.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">XXL <\/span>25 rue de la Savonnerie, 15:00-4:00, +33\/2 3588-8400<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Blues <\/span>15 rue Saint Etienne des Tonneliers, +33\/2 3588-8400<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Le<\/span> <span class=\"style_1\">Miss Marple <\/span>35 rue de la Tour de beurre, 18:00-2:00, +33\/2 3588-4732<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">L\u2019Insolite <\/span>58 rue d\u2019Amiens, 19:00-2:00, +33\/2 3588-8400<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">RESOURCES<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Maison de la France<\/span> (<a title=\"http:\/\/www.franceguide.com\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.franceguide.com\/\">www.franceguide.com<\/a>) The French tourist offices are an invaluable resources. Before you go, make use of the website to explore options and request information. Upon arrival, local offices can provide information, maps, assistance and often excellent walking tours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\"><span class=\"style_1\">Gay Provence <\/span>(<a title=\"http:\/\/www.gay-provence.org\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" onkeypress=\"window.open(this.href); return false;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gay-provence.org\/\">www.gay-provence.org<\/a>) Providing booking for gay friendly accommodation throughout Provence as well as information on bars, clubs and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">\n<p class=\"paragraph_style_1\">By Clay Doyle {<span class=\"style_2\">Published in a slightly different form in <\/span>Out &amp; About<span class=\"style_2\">, June 2004<\/span>}<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>France has a long history of tolerance for alternative sexuality. It\u2019s been a refuge for homosexuals from Oscar Wilde to James Baldwin to Gertrude Stein, and a live and let live attitude regarding love and sex seems to prevail. Recently though, France has been moving beyond tolerance to a genuinely enthusiastic embrace of gay residents &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sunsetdrivestudio.com\/travel\/?p=213\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;It&#8217;s Nice to be Wanted&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[36,93,94,108,121,144,162,163,164,171,184,186],"class_list":["post-213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-clay-doyle","tag-arles","tag-france","tag-gay","tag-hotel-four-seasons-george-v","tag-le-mans","tag-montpellier","tag-out-about","tag-paris","tag-paris-gay-pride","tag-provence","tag-rouen","tag-saint-remy"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>It&#039;s Nice to be Wanted - Anywhere But Here<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sunsetdrivestudio.com\/travel\/?p=213\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"It&#039;s Nice to be Wanted - Anywhere But Here\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"France has a long history of tolerance for alternative sexuality. 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