Sex doll 'brothel' in Paris faces calls for closure

Sex doll 'brothel' in Paris faces calls for closure

Paris - Barely clothed or naked and perched suggestively on a bed or chair, the plastic dolls on offer in the most controversial "brothel" in Paris have led to accusations that they could encourage rape.

Since February, four silicone figures have been on offer at hourly rates of 89 euros (110 dollars) in a discreet apartment in the south of the city, far from the historic red-light district around the Pigalle area in the north.

Following complaints from women's groups and left-wing local lawmakers, the Paris council is set to decide this week whether to close the 21st-century newcomer to the world's oldest profession.

Xdolls operates from the three-room apartment as a games business, leading Communists on the Paris local assembly to ask city authorities to clarify whether the law has been broken.

The figures "present a degrading image of women and the noises they make could sound like rape," the head of the Communist group, Nicolas Bonnet-Oulaldj, told reporters this week, adding that he wanted the business closed.

Xdolls represents a regulatory headache, but police have investigated the owner and cleared him and there have been no complaints from neighbours, Le Parisien newspaper reported.

Lorraine Questiaux, a lawyer and spokeswoman for the feminist group Nid, said there was no legal basis to shut down the service operating from the three-room apartment, but she told the newspaper it raised a moral question.

"Can we allow a business in France based on the idea of promoting rape?" she said.

Other politicians in Paris have defended its right to exist.

"Wanting to close a business supplying sex toys, which concerns individual liberties between consenting adults, is not legal," leading centrist Eric Aziere has said.

In 2016, France changed its law on prostitution after years of parliamentary debate to make anyone caught using a sex worker liable for a fine of 1,500 euros ($1,800) for a first offence.

homepage

trending

trending
    Malaysia's top court dismisses appeal against jailed ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid
    'I would be crying every day during lunch': Rebecca Lim recalls feeling inadequate in 1st acting role after childbirth
    'Business has increased by 30%': Local drivers see improvement amid LTA enforcement against illegal ride-hailing services
    Malaysian teachers caught vaping on school grounds may face fines, up to 2 years' jail
    'We both want the best for Singapore': Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng resolves differences with ex-SDP chairman over Gaza comments
    Lee Teng and wife welcome their rainbow baby
    Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of arrival of Typhoon Podul
    Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2 rounds of layoffs in 2024
    Off-duty SCDF officer killed in Punggol crash; 15-year-old taken to hospital
    More than just a bad habit: How Kpods affect youths' physical and mental health
    Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation
    'We have to be ready anywhere, anytime': Off-duty healthcare professionals from Singapore revive elderly man in JB

Singapore

Singapore
    • Singapore delivers ninth tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza
    • 'Proof of love between 2 nations': Malaysian man creates SG60 shirt to thank Singaporeans who helped him through hard times
    • Vers likely to be launched in next decade: Chee Hong Tat
    • 'A worrying trend': Speeding violations surge 45% in first half of 2025 compared to same period in 2024
    • Johor govt seeking stricter laws against foreign drivers misusing subsidised fuel
    • Service on North East Line resumes
    • Singaporean woman deported from Malaysia
    • Singapore upgrades 2025 growth forecast but warns that outlook remains 'clouded by uncertainty'
    • PM Wong to deliver National Day Rally speech on Aug 17
    • More than 53,000 retail workers to see wage increase of at least $130 from Sept 1

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'My sweat seeped through the seams': Zhang Zetong on 'suffering' and working with new virtual technology for drama Perfectly Imperfect
    • 'I felt I would die if I closed my eyes': Ada Choi's husband Max Zhang recalls suffering heart attack in April
    • Jet Li's eldest daughter getting married
    • 'Fate is unstoppable': Michelle Chia weds real estate agent boyfriend in whirlwind marriage
    • Jacelyn Tay gifts her Star Awards trophies to long-time fan
    • Noah Centineo to star in Rambo origins movie
    • Zheng Geping awarded Public Service Medal for contributions to Woodlands CCC
    • Maluma stops concert to reprimand fan who brought along a baby
    • Blackpink's Jisoo releases Your Love special video filmed at Rainforest Wild Asia in Mandai
    • Tom Holland admits putting on his Spider-Man suit 'feels different this time'

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Singapore ranks top in Asia for work-life balance and 25th in the world, according to Remote study
    • Embracing Singlish as part of our identity: Paiseh for what?
    • One-Michelin-starred Restaurant Euphoria shutters, chef-owner looks to 'rethink the future' of his cuisine
    • I try 11 new Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 eateries to see if they're worth the hype, here's my honest take
    • BYD Atto 2 electric compact SUV launched in Singapore
    • I've lived in Twin Vew for 4 years: What's it like living without an MRT station nearby
    • Even cheaper than Bali: 5 hidden Asian islands you (and your wallet) will love
    • 4 condo layouts and features buyers are moving away from in 2025
    • How to get your driving licence in Singapore - fast
    • 'Last' meals: How durian, chilli crab, and KFC bring comfort to the dying in Singapore

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Apple Maps brings 3D landmarks and road-level realism to Singapore
    • The best AI tutor for O-level subjects: ChatGPT, Gemini or The Wise Otter?
    • Vivo X Fold5: A foldable contender with a few class-leading surprises
    • Here's everything in GPT-5 that's new and different than OpenAI's previous AI models
    • Australia regulator says YouTube, others 'turning a blind eye' to child abuse material
    • ZipZap car subscription service launches in Singapore
    • Sony RX1R III brings back the compact full-frame but not the Sony playbook
    • China's Premier Li proposes global AI co-operation organisation

Money

Money
    • Up 4.3%: Singapore's economy grew in Q2 despite US tariff fears
    • Goh Cheng Liang, Nippon Paint billionaire and richest Singaporean, dies aged 98
    • StarHub buys rest of MyRepublic's broadband business in $105m deal; comes after Simba buys M1
    • Keppel to sell M1 unit's telco business to Simba for $1.43b
    • Singapore can deliver and thrive in a fragmented global economy: Morgan Stanley analysts
    • Over 70% of Ang Mo Kio's 4-room million-dollar resales in the past 3 years came from this project
    • DBS beats expectations with $2.82b net profit for second quarter, maintains 2025 outlook
    • Carro targets US IPO with over $3.8b valuation, sources say
    • US companies spending record amounts to protect executives as threats rise
    • Electric car-sharing firm BlueSG to wind down current operations on Aug 8

Latest

Latest
  • China's military says it 'drove away' US destroyer near Scarborough Shoal
  • New Zealand PM Luxon says Israel's Netanyahu has 'lost the plot'
  • Zelenskiy, European leaders to speak to Trump ahead of Putin summit
  • 'Cooked alive': Europe's wildfires hit tourism spots and forests
  • Mothers of Gaza hostages fear Israeli offensive will endanger their sons
  • Kenyan activist tries to block new Ritz-Carlton safari lodge opening
  • Democrats fret about which city may be next as National Guard gathers in US capital
  • White House says Trump-Putin meeting is a 'listening exercise'
  • Homeless who refuse to co-operate with Trump crackdown may go to jail, White House says

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Man remanded after wielding knife, trying to snatch baby in Penang supermarket
  • Malaysia's border control agency gives ICA cake to mark SG60
  • Tourist in Hong Kong killed after cabby, 80, crashes into pillar outside hotel
  • 2 Malaysian men nabbed at Woodlands Checkpoint for allegedly smuggling drugs worth over $150k into Singapore
  • Parents reject $30k settlement from kindergarten in JB after son suffocates to death in school van
  • Pritam gets candid with kids’ questions on his worst subjects and favourite song in radio interview
  • Bro-code before go-mode: Meet the duo leading NDP 2025
  • LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia’s request to start services from JB at 4am
  • Part-time PHV driver who stopped suicide attempt among 38 recipients of MHA’s public spiritedness award
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.