Vanilla Swingers – A swinger podcast for newbies, by newbies in the lifestyle
Paris is for lovers and libertines. Our first foray into the swinging lifestyle was a libertine club in Paris (Le Mask), not knowing libertines are swingers! Ooh la la! Tucked in a quiet spot of the city is Taken, a club that promises sophistication and seduction… if you can actually get in. No really – if. Because as we quickly learned, Taken isn’t just a name, it’s a vibe. One part posh, one part pretentious, and all parts Parisian chic… or at least that’s the goal.
Compared to the long-standing legends of Paris’s libertine scene, Taken is the new kid on the block. Les Chandelles has been setting the gold standard since 1993, and Le Mask built its naughty reputation throughout the 2000s. Taken, by contrast, only emerged in the last 5–7 years, which explains why it’s still flying under the radar. It hasn’t had decades to build buzz – but that also means it’s still evolving, still intimate, and still a bit of a hidden gem. It’s seems more polished than Le mask but way less uptight than Les Chandelles – a sweet spot of sexy without any snobbery.
Join Kat & Leo as they dish up swinger club reviews and lots of questionable newbie advice on the Vanilla Swingers podcast.
🚗 Distance from downtown Paris – City center (4ᵉ arr). 10 min walk from Notre Dame
🕓 Nightclub Hours –
Tue – Thu – 10:30pm – 4am
Fri – Sat – 10:30pm – 5am
💲 Pricing –
👀 First Impressions –There’s a doorbell, not a bouncer, and a woman who peeks out like you’re at an elite speakeasy or a suburban mom’s book club. Depending on your outfit, your accent, or possibly your aura, she may let you in… or slam the door in your face. Like Les Chandelles and Le Mask, Taken is a Parisian club through and through – which means the dress code is less “guideline” and more “entrance exam.” If you’re not dressed just right, you’re not getting in. Period.
For men: think leather shoes (not sneakers), black or dark trousers (no jeans), and a long-sleeved button-down shirt. Bonus points if it gives “Euro lounge vibes.” Jackets and ties are optional, but anything remotely casual (cardigans, polo shirts, t-shirts, short sleeves) is a dealbreaker.
For women: fitted, sexy dresses, heels, and a polished look. Think chic, not club rat. If you’re wearing pants? Don’t be shocked when the door cracks open and you hear a curt “Non.”
🎟️ Inside Tour – Once you’re in, the vibe shifts fast. No dinner, just drinks. Clean, intimate, and dimly lit, with a bar that keeps tabs via a token system (you pay on your way out). There’s a decently sized dance floor where the flirting flows easily, and a separate corridor leading to the play areas. Smokers get their own hotbox of a room. Everyone else? Dance, chat, and see where the night goes.
🥂 Bar – We love a good bar setup, and Taken delivers. Drinks are well-made, the bartenders usually know what they’re doing, and the tab system is seamless (grab your card on the way in, pay on your way out). It’s efficient and stylish. But it’s a mixed bag for bartenders -and for a club that aims for classy, that kind of inconsistency sticks out.
🎵 DJ / Danceclub – The dance floor at Taken isn’t huge, but that actually works in its favor. It keeps things intimate, with just enough room to sway, grind, or full-on make out under the lights. The DJ spins a mix of house, electro, and sexy lounge beats, and while it’s not giving full Ibiza, it definitely sets the mood. People do dance here—unlike some clubs where everyone just clutches a drink and stares. During Fashion Week? Forget it. The dance floor was a parade of hot couples getting cozy, half-undressed, and vibing hard. Taken may not be a full-blown nightclub, but it definitely knows how to set the tone for a night that goes from flirty to filthy real fast.
🍒 Playrooms – Taken keeps things cozy and communal – no private VIP suites, but instead a labyrinth of sophisticated nooks and shared play spaces. Don’t expect private boudoirs or fancy setups. It’s more “grab a mattress” than “indulge in fantasy.” On busy nights, the playroom gets packed – and not just with people playing. Sometimes there are literal lines to get in, with couples queueing up like it’s Studio 54. Rooms can get packed, especially post-midnight, no private doors, just open visibility. Expect to watch and be watched – couples mingling, mingled play, occasional queues just to get a mattress. Intimate? Yes. Airy? Not so much – especially when ventilation decides to take the night off. By dawn, it’s less fantasy boudoir and more sweaty communal boudoir. But for many, that’s exactly the point.
Remember it’s French consent culture in motion – touch first, ask permission later. A gentle hand on your shoulder or a light caress signals interest. If someone responds by leaning in, it’s a yes. If not, respect and move on. That non-verbal language keeps flirtation electric without awkward pauses.
🔥 Vibe Check – Taken has potential—alongside the likes of its bigger more well-known brothers, Le Mask and Les Chandelles. It definitely draws the younger crowd of all 3. The vibe depends heavily on the night. Sometimes it’s all glamour and gloss. Other times, it’s giving “meh.” If you’re expecting wall-to-wall elegance, you might be side-eyeing the Cro-Magnon couture in the corner.
And then there’s the staff. Most are lovely – welcoming, polished, and helpful. But there are reports of a bartender with a bit too much bark and not enough hospitality. We didn’t personally get snapped at, but rumor has it staff can be a bit dismissive.
✅ Should You Go? – Yes! On the right night, with the right crowd, Taken could be your Parisian fantasy come true. But between the inconsistent door policy, packed play areas, and the heavy emphasis on aesthetics, it’s not for newbies or the unprepared. Think of it as the Paris Hilton of clubs – beautiful, high-maintenance, and slightly out of touch. But hey… sometimes that’s exactly the mood. Ooh la la!
Find all of this and more on this episode of our top-rated swingers podcast for new couples to the lifestyle, the Vanilla Swingers podcast!
Taken Club: Stylish and selective spot on Île Saint-Louis. A little posh, a little sweaty, and very, very Paris.
Les Chandelles: Iconic libertin club in Paris. Be sure to wear your dress shoes and sexy stilettos!
Paris Le Mask: Our very first swinger club ever… one night of mischief on a whim and the rest is swinger history!
Theater Chocotte: Charming intimate burlesque theater whose performers explore desire and carnal pleasures on-stage.
Voyeurism: The art of peeking behind closed doors, where watching becomes the sexiest form of foreplay. A practice in which individuals derive sexual pleasure from observing others engaging in intimate activities.
Exhibitionism: Putting on a show that would make Vegas blush, because why keep all that steamy action to yourself? The act of deriving sexual gratification from exposing one’s own body or engaging in sexual activities in front of others, often for the purpose of arousal or thrill.
Swingers Club: The playground of pleasure, where fantasies come to life and every night is a tantalizing adventure. A dedicated venue or establishment where individuals or couples within the swinging community gather to socialize, explore their sexuality, and engage in consensual sexual activities with other like-minded individuals.
Playroom: The adult’s version of a candy store, where toys, tools, and tantalizing treats await – because who says pleasure is just for kids? A designated space within a swinger’s venue equipped with various toys, equipment, and furnishings for sexual exploration and enjoyment.
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