CRUISING ON THE PARIS METRO

Find love en route?

Paris is well known as the city of love. You see it on the streets, at the cafés, in the parks, everywhere. You may not, however, have thought that you’d find love in the Paris Métro system, but trust us, you’ll find it there too.

If you haven't seen the "Mecs Métro Paris" (Guys of the Paris Metro) Instagram account yet, give it a click. You might understand better why we're drawing your attention to all of this.

Here are just 5 stops (among the 303) that you might be likely to find the love of your life, or at least some knowing eye contact.

SAINT-PAUL

This is one of the gateway metro stops to the Marais district and a common meeting spot.  You will find just as many attractive men waiting outside on the street as in the station. There will be a lot of looking going on as people try to spot their friend. If they linger a little, you might get invited for a drink in a bar just a few blocks away.

REPUBLIQUE

Situated on lines 2, 5, 8, 9, and 11, this stop is at the upper end of the Marais and at the start of the trendy Canal Saint Martin. République is a crossroads for all kinds of people passing through: businessmen, hipsters, skaters, artsy types, etc. The 11 train heads to the heart of the Marais and is only a few cars long, which can get conveniently crowded in peak times. Sometimes someone might brush up against you not so accidentally.

TUILERIES

The Tuileries Garden is just above this metro stop and is one of the most central and romantic locations in Paris. With the Louvre behind and the Eiffel tour peaking over the rooftops in front, it's the perfect backdrop to sit around the fountains  with a lover. Passersby might get the urge to meet a lover of their own.

More importantly, gay men will be well aware why other gays might be in this area...a popular cruising spot among the shrubs (classy) is located right next to the Arc du Carrousel at the garden's east end. Not that we've ever been...

You never know who is hanging out around the metro station exits...

BOTZARIS

Your chances to find love at this stop increase on the weekend. It is the closest stop to the bar Rosa Bonheur in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Rosa Bonheur is a Sunday gay mecca in the warmer months, where the boys and men line up to get a spot on the bar's terrace while cracking open bottle after bottle of rosé. Chances are a good number of them will be heading to and from the station.

LA DEFENSE

If you like men in suits, La Défense, and the line 1 in general, is for you. It’s unlikely that you’ll end up here if you’re in Paris as a tourist as it is a business hub with no real draw for tourists. But if you want to check out a more modern side of Paris, prepare for well-fitting suits and polished shoes to join you on your ride back to the city center. You could end up rubbing knees with someone who might want to get to know you a little better during an after-work drink. 

So if you’re on the métro in Paris and someone plays footsie while sitting across from you, locks eyes a little too sincerely, or gives a coy smile, try a little “Bonjour” and see what happens.