Tier 2 Β· Accepted in the citiesTerritory of France

French Polynesia

French marriage law applies.

Updated

Same-sex activity
Legal
Recognition
Same-sex marriage
Region
Oceania
Cities covered
2
Confidence
High
Reviewed
September 16, 2026

Sources:UK FCDO travel adviceEqualdexLinks checked Every country in one table

Travel advice

Go, and stay in the cities and beach towns on our list. Read the room once you leave them.

Where the boys go

Papeete.

Questions people ask

Safety and the law

Is French Polynesia gay-friendly?

Yes, especially in the cities. French Polynesia is Tier 2, accepted in the cities. French marriage law applies. A territory of France. Papeete.

Is it legal to be gay in French Polynesia?

Yes. Same-sex activity is legal in French Polynesia, Tier 2 on our ranking: legal and open in the big cities. Read the room once you leave them. Read more β†’

Is same-sex marriage legal in French Polynesia?

Yes. French marriage law applies. Married or not, French Polynesia is Tier 2: relaxed in the cities, read the room outside them.

Can gay couples hold hands in French Polynesia?

In the cities, yes. Go, and stay in the cities and beach towns on our list. Read the room once you leave them.

Are dating apps safe to use in French Polynesia?

Yes. In French Polynesia the apps are simply how the boys find each other. Meet in public first, the same as at home.

Can two men share a hotel room in French Polynesia?

Yes. Book the double; in the cities it needs no explanation.

Why is French Polynesia Tier 2?

Tier 2, accepted in the cities, means legal, with some or partial protections. Openly accepted in the major cities and tourist areas; rural or conservative regions less so. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. Read more β†’

The scene

Where is the gay scene in French Polynesia?

Nowhere we would send you for the scene. Bora Bora, the main city we cover, is small: Overwater bungalows that welcome couples of every kind. Papeete. Read more β†’

Which cities in French Polynesia have a gay scene?

None we would send you to for the scene. Papeete. We cover 2 places in French Polynesia with their own pages. Read more β†’

Planning the trip

Is French Polynesia part of France?

Yes, a territory of France, so the law follows France. French marriage law applies.

Which countries are in the same tier as French Polynesia?

Tier 2 also holds United States, Taiwan, Greece, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and 21 more. Legal and open in the big cities. Read the room once you leave them. Read more β†’

How reliable is this rating for French Polynesia?

Confidence is high. The tier comes from ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings, last reviewed September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us and it moves. Read more β†’

Method

Tiered on the legal status and social acceptance of gay men and LGB people using ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. How we tier. Last reviewed September 2026.