Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

France is one of the world's most tolerant countries toward gays and lesbians. "Gay Paree" boasts a large gay population, with many clubs, restaurants, organizations, and services.

A helpful source is La Maison des Femmes, 163 rue de Charenton, 12e, Paris (tel. 01-43-43-41-13; http://maisondesfemmes.free.fr; Métro: Charonne). It offers information about Paris for lesbians and bisexual women, and sometimes sponsors informal get-togethers. Call for a recorded announcement that gives the hours when someone will be available that particular week.

Lesbian or bisexual women can also pick up a copy of Lesbia. This publication and others are available at Paris's largest, best-stocked gay bookstore, Les Mots à la Bouche, 6 rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, 4e (tel. 01-42-78-88-30; www.motsbouche.com; Métro: Hôtel-de-Ville; Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 2-8pm), which carries publications in both French and English.

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA; tel. 800/448-8550 or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.org) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry, and offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses and tour operators.

Many agencies offer tours and travel itineraries specifically for gay and lesbian travelers. Above and Beyond Tours (tel. 800/397-2681; www.abovebeyondtours.com) are gay Australia tour specialists. San Francisco-based Now, Voyager (tel. 800/255-6951; www.nowvoyager.com) offers worldwide trips and cruises, and Olivia (tel. 800/631-6277; www.olivia.com) offers lesbian cruises and resort vacations.

Gay.com Travel (tel. 800/929-2268 or 415/644-8044; www.gay.com/travel or www.outandabout.com), is an excellent online successor to the popular Out & About print magazine. It provides regularly updated information about gay-owned, gay-oriented, and gay-friendly lodging, dining, sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping establishments in every important destination worldwide. British travelers should click on the "Travel" link at www.uk.gay.com for advice and gay-friendly trip ideas.

The Canadian website GayTraveler (gaytraveler.ca) offers ideas and advice for gay travel all over the world.

The following travel guides are available at many bookstores, or you can order them from any online bookseller: Spartacus International Gay Guide, 35th Edition (Bruno Gmünder Verlag; www.spartacusworld.com/gayguide); Odysseus: The International Gay Travel Planner, 17th Edition (www.odyusa.com); and the Damron guides (www.damron.com), with separate, annual books for gay men and lesbians.