I have mixed opinions about Marseille. It’s not that the city is bad for trans people, but it’s not the best either.
The LGBTQ+ scene here feels quite limited despite a few decent places.
And I’ve noticed that trans people here aren’t as open about their gender status so connecting with the community can be hard at times.
If you’re sharing the same struggle then you’re at the right place.
Today I’ll talk about the best ways to meet trans individuals in Marseille, covering both offline and online avenues.
But before that, let’s discuss how I gathered the information for this guide.
Table of Contents
Methodology for Finding Trans Friendly Spaces in Marseille
Here’s how we’ve carefully identified the best trans-friendly spots in Marseille:
- Online Research: We start by searching the internet for places known for their trans-friendly environment. This helps us create an initial list of potential venues.
- Gathering Local Insights: We then ask our trans friends in Marseille to visit these places. They check out the atmosphere and talk to people to get honest feedback. This step ensures our recommendations are based on real experiences.
- Community Feedback: We explore online forums like Reddit and Quora to gather various opinions on these spots. By looking at what trans individuals and their allies are saying, we get valuable insights into the community’s perception of these venues.
- Identifying LGBT Hotspots: We also consider popular LGBT venues that may not be exclusively trans-specific. We analyze online reviews to understand the overall vibe and clientele of these places.
- Continuous Updates: We regularly check the status of listed venues to ensure they are still open and continue to add new places to our guide, keeping the information current and reliable.
List of TG Friendly Venues in Marseille
With a population of over 800,000, Marseille is the second-largest city in France.
However, its LGBTQ+ scene is still developing, partly due to the “tough guy” image that lingers over the city.
This image can make some trans people feel uncomfortable coming out in public.
On the bright side, the city has seen positive changes in recent years, with a number of LGBT+ friendly spots opening up which I will talk about next.
1. Bars and Clubs
Marseille has a decent variety of LGBT+ night spots. The majority of them are located in the north part of the town, around Cours Julien and Le Panier.
But you’ll find some cool spots in other areas as well, so here are some of my favorites.
Aux 3G Bar at 3 Rue Saint-Pierre
This lesbian and feminist associative bar offers a great atmosphere and cheap drinks.
I’ve had some fantastic evenings here, and you’ll meet many trans women. The downside is that they only open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reviews of Other People about Aux 3G Bar
Amandine Berger on Google Maps:
“The best place to go out in Marseille in complete safety when you are a woman. Extra music for dancing, we always have the best evenings there”
L’Annexe Bar at 7 Rue Saint-Bazile
It’s a great place for a safe LGBT evening in the city center of Marseille. Finally, a 100% queer spot in Marseille. It’s a place where you can drink and dance without any worries.
Reviews of Other People about L’Annexe Bar
“Great spot to start gay drinking early. We sat outside for fun watching people. Bartender was super nice and gave us a couple freebies. Too bad we didn’t see it later at night, seems like it would be even more fun. Stop by for sure!”
BOUM at 21 Rue André Poggioli
Cheap drinks, amazing DJs and most importantly, this place is very LGBTQ+ friendly. You’ll bump into many trans and queer folks no matter when you visit.
Reviews of Other People about BOUM
Sasha Safontceva on Google Maps:
“A great place that is SAFE and welcoming to all gender identities. Top team, DJs who create a great atmosphere, inexpensive drinks and several alcohol-free options available. Summary: I love it 100%”
Le Pulse at 94 Cr Julien
The most inclusive place in Marseille and the safest, no matter what minority you’re part of be it trans, non-binary, or genderfluid.
The drinks are affordable, and the staff is great. Big shout-out to the owner, Romain, who always makes sure everyone feels welcomed.
Reviews of Other People about Le Pulse
Théo Challande on Google Maps:
“Really good cocktails, very nice staff and owner, the terrace is a dream. And LGBT+ friendly.”
Cabaret l’Étoile Bleue at 107bis Bd Jeanne d’Arc
A cabaret club where you can occasionally catch drag shows. It’s not exactly an LGBT-focused spot but you can catch plenty of queer folks here.
Plus, as you can see in the video, the shows are amazingly choreographed so you’re sure to have a great time!
Reviews of Other People about Cabaret l’Étoile Bleue
Thifaine Abraham on Google Maps:
“GREAT!!! While in Marseille for the Easter weekend, we decided to have our first show/cabaret evening, and it was fantastic!! The show, the vocal/dance/light/outfit feats and the meal too, everything was superb!! Thank you very much”
2. Community Centers and Organizations
You can also meet trans individuals by visiting the Marseille LGBTQIA+ Center, located near Old Port.
It hosts numerous events like gaming parties and workshops for the community.
They also have a bar where you can sit and chat to potentially connect with TGs.
This place opened fairly recently, but it has become a popular hangout spot for the LGBT+ community.
3. Online Groups and Pages
Another way to connect with transgender people in Marseille is through social media platforms. I’d recommend starting with La Menace Queer.
With more than 3,500 members, it’s a nice community for queers, dykes, bi, trans, intersex, and GNC folks to share info about events, concerts, workshops, housing, and more.
Another great option is Queer Grenier, a Facebook group with over 2,000 members.
While it’s mainly for buying and selling, you can also use it to potentially make new friends within the community.
You can also look into events hosted by Meetup. It has a group for LGBTQ+ Expats that hosts regular events.
4. Trans Friendly Dating Sites
Meeting trans people in Marseille can be hit or miss. While there are some decent LGBT+ spots, you might not always get lucky because the community feels small or maybe it’s closeted.
In such cases, a safe bet is to try online dating sites. Personally, I use OkCupid to find partners and new friends.
It has an active user base and, most importantly, the profiles are generally more mature than what you’d find on apps like Tinder.
Plus, I’ve met some cool people through OkCupid in Marseille, so it’s definitely worth a try.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Marseille
Marseille is a big city, but it’s still a bit behind when it comes to trans acceptance.
Now, I’m not saying that trans people are not tolerated at all or that you’ll face transphobia everywhere, but it’s definitely not as progressive as cities like Paris.
The north part of town, especially around Cours Julien and Le Panier, are quite friendly and has a large LGBT community.
You’ll find the majority of queer and trans people there.
However, I can’t say the same for the rest of the city so be prepared to encounter some jerks, especially if you’re alone at night.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Marseille
Like every other city, Marseille certainly has its pros and cons for trans people.
While it doesn’t have a defined LGBTQ+ neighborhood, it has some decent night spots.
And if you don’t feel comfortable meeting trans people outside, you can try online dating sites or groups that I’ve talked about in this guide.
No matter what approach you choose, just know that connecting with the community may take some time.
So till then, keep trying, and hopefully, you will make some trans friends soon!
