Paris for Visitors: France’s Law, Etiquette and Discreet Evenings

Paris needs little introduction: grand boulevards, river views, world-class restaurants and some of the most elegant hotels in Europe. France is also one of the busiest countries on Escorts Guide. This guide explains the legal position in France, which is very different from most of its neighbours, and gives practical tips for a relaxed and discreet visit. It is general information, not legal advice.

The law in France

Since April 2016, France has followed the so-called Nordic model, which treats the buyer, not the seller, as the offender:

• Selling sex by an adult is not a crime, and the former offence of soliciting in public was abolished by the same law.
• Buying sex is an offence. A first offence is punished with a fine of up to €1,500, rising to €3,750 for a repeat offence, and courts can order an awareness course at the offender's expense.
• Proxénétisme, profiting from or organising another person's prostitution, is a serious crime and is interpreted broadly. It can include renting premises knowingly used for sex work.
• Any paid sexual activity with someone under 18 is a crime, with much heavier penalties.

France's Constitutional Council upheld the law in 2019, and in July 2024 the European Court of Human Rights rejected a challenge brought by sex workers. The law remains in force and is debated in France, with sex workers' organisations arguing that it pushes work into less safe conditions. In practice, it means visitors to France should understand that paying for sex there is not a grey area: it is an offence, even when everyone involved is a consenting adult.

What this means for visitors

Many companions advertised in France offer social time, dinner dates and travel companionship. Whatever is agreed, the legal responsibility under French law sits with the client. If you are travelling from a country where the rules are more relaxed, do not assume they carry across the border. Our guide to knowing the local law before you travel explains how much the rules change from one country to the next.

Where to stay in Paris

• 8th arrondissement (Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne): the palace hotels, designer boutiques and quiet side streets.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Left Bank elegance, literary cafés and small luxury hotels.
• Le Marais: historic, lively and full of galleries, bars and restaurants.
• Opéra and the 9th: central, well connected and close to the grands magasins.
• La Défense: modern business hotels, quieter in the evening.

Date ideas

• An evening cruise on the Seine, or a walk along the quays as the bridges light up.
• Cocktails in a palace hotel bar, then dinner in Saint-Germain or the Marais.
• A performance at the Palais Garnier, or a cabaret show.
• A day trip to Versailles or the Champagne region.

Parisians dine from around 8 pm, and the best restaurants are booked days ahead, so reserve early.

Getting around

The Métro is fast and covers the whole city, but taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most discreet option at night. For outcalls, offering to cover your companion's ride is good etiquette.

Etiquette

• Read the profile carefully and follow the companion's booking process.
• Communicate politely in French or English, and keep messages non-explicit.
• Be punctual, clean and respectful. A simple "bonjour" goes a long way in France.
• Accept a no, and never ask a companion to break the law or her own rules.

Safety

• Be wary of anyone asking for a deposit in gift cards or crypto. Our guide to escort scams explains the common tricks.
• Keep your valuables in the hotel safe and watch for pickpockets in tourist areas.
• If you suspect exploitation or trafficking, call 17 (police) or 112, or report it to the French authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to pay for sex in Paris?

No. Since 2016, buying sexual services is an offence everywhere in France, punished with a fine. Selling sex is not a crime.

Is advertising as a companion legal in France?

An adult offering her own services is not committing a crime, but anyone who profits from another person's sex work risks prosecution for proxénétisme.

Does the law apply to tourists?

Yes. French law applies to everyone in France, whatever the rules are in their home country.