The tried and true LGBTQ-friendly destinations around the world are undoubtedly beautiful and rich in culture and experiences, but once in a while, a new queer-friendly gem surfaces amongst the world’s many tempting cities.
This year, travel publication Lonely Planet has named Toulouse, France as the winner for city travel worldwide in 2025. Each year Lonely Planet drops a “Best in Travel” hotlist featuring 30 trending destinations to consider for new year travel. Now in its fifteenth year, the hotlist commonly features lesser known locations that can still offer a hearty slice of travel deliciousness.
France is the number one most-visited country in the world for tourism, and it makes sense why. With fine dining, excellent wines, beautiful countryside, and bustling cities, France has what all travelers want in terms of culture, new experiences, and relaxation.
According to Pink News, Toulouse happens to be a very LGBTQ-friendly city and is often referred to as the “Pink City” for its pinky-orange terracotta brick and ochre rooftops. Beyond this imagery though, along the city’s streets lives a hopping gay scene, including famous LGBTQ+ bars like Le Limelight and La Gougnotte.
Picturesque in the way you’d hope a French city would be, Toulouse has much to offer in terms of visual beauty. In 2025, visitors can enjoy architectural and natural wonders including the Place du Capitole, the Basilica Saint-Sernin, the Jardin Japonais Toulouse, and the River Garonne.
Also in Toulouse, as in many places in France, you can enjoy some of the world’s best cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurants as well as small family-owned eateries.
Including Toulouse, the top ten cities that made the Lonely Planet list for 2025 are:
