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July 14 was Bastille Day (called Fête Nationale in France), which celebrates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. France has long been a romantic vacation destination, and especially Paris, with attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysées, and of course the quaint cafes, designer shopping spots and fabulous dining options.

Gay marriage is not legal in France, unlike neighbouring countries Holland, Belgium and Spain. There is an open-minded attitude towards gays and lesbians in Paris, and it is one of the most gay cities in the world. In March 2008, openly gay mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë was re-elected.

The gay district in Paris is called Le Marais. Le Marais is vibrant, fashionable, and expensive. If you live in Le Marais, you better have a great job or a generous benefactor, or you won’t be set up in stylish digs in this historic city centre.

One thing that might surprise you is the late-night culture. Parisians sit down to dinner around 9 or 10, taking a few hours to enjoy different courses, wines and plenty of conversation. If you’re accustomed to a six pm supper at home, you’ll want to grab a granola bar and wait to eat, as there’s nothing better than sitting in an open air cafe, dining and watching the glamourous people walk by.

This means that clubbing generally starts later as well. You’ll find that most clubs stay open until about 5:30 am! (Take that, BC Liquor laws). Many locals simply party all night, rather than cabbing home, and wait for the Metro to reopen the next morning.

Like lots of tourist spots, gay Paris used to be more for the boys. The lesbian community in Le Marais has really grown in the past few years, with a few more clubs and restaurants popping up that cater to lesbians.

Whether or not you want to check out a sex club while you’re in Paris depends. You might want to stay away from the older, sleazier types and hit one of the newer ones, which are more posh. With over 40 sex clubs, you’ll find one that suits your mood and comfort level, whether it’s an upscale salon, gym, or a giant stage with go go dancers.

If you want to find out more about lesbian Paris life in Le Marais, a great resource is La Maison des Femmes, 8 Cité Prost, 11e (01-43-48-24-91; Métro: Charonne, which offers info for lesbians and bisexual women. Call on a Wednesday or Friday between 4 and 7pm. Or, pick up a copy of Illico or Double-Face for event listings. There are also other lesbian publications to help you navigate gay Paris!