France: Discover Annecy And Its Discreet But Important Gay-Friendly Community

Unofficially, Annecy is the 4th French gay city and is home to one of the biggest gay communities in the world. There have been specialized gay sites and forums for decades.

What to Do in Annecy

The city of Annecy is full of beautiful cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and colorful buildings. No matter where you go, there is always a surprise waiting to be discovered. The city has it all. There is a castle on the hill, a beautiful old town, a sparkling lake, great food, and a magnificent mountain backdrop.

It is a welcoming and exciting destination all year. The lake is a great place to relax and get away from the summer heat. There is the option to rent a paddleboat or a motorboat, take lunch on a cruise or cycle through the bike path. And of course, if you go to Annecy with your date, don’t miss a romantic walk on the Pont des Amours (Love Bridge), the traditionnal meeting point of all lovers.

Gay-Friendly Establishments to Visit

One of the nicest and most friendly places you can visit is Le Téléphone Rose. Located in the heart of Haute-Savoie (74), the club is open each night from Wednesday to Sunday. The mood is always festive and friendly. The club strives to offer satisfaction through unforgettable moments. Here you will find a resident DJ, guest DJs, electro music, and much more. If you need some ultimate relaxation, you can visit the famous saunas of Annecy such as Oxygène or Octopus. Bars you should consider visiting are Nathan Café or Bar de la Boule.

Fewer Meeting Places

Despite fewer gay bars, there is still a discreet but important gay community in Annecy. Just like heterosexuals, lesbians and gays love the life that this city offers to its residents. The only thing that has changed is that homosexuals have become more discreet. Not that they are hiding their identity; they are just drowning in the masses.

In the past, they used to frequent various establishments together. However, that does not happen much anymore. Besides that, the older generation does not visit the establishments as much. Most prefer to stay at home when in a relationship.

There are various reasons why gays do not go out as much. For one, there is a restriction on alcohol consumption. Besides that, the economic crisis also suppressed their partying ways. However, if a new gay bar was to open, many people would still visit it. Despite some recent negative sentiments, homosexuals can still mingle with the masses and they do not need to run out of town. For instance, the gay community organized a gay pride bike race along the Annecy Doussard route in 2003.