What could be more pleasant than a small terrace when the sunny days finally arrive?
Well, I have set out once again to find the best Parisian spots of the summer in terms of terraces just for you. It wasn’t exactly easy given the weather we’ve had so far, but I sincerely hope this quest will still be useful for the rest of the summer (fingers crossed). After a wonderful selection in 2015, what does the 2016 edition have in store for us?…
Whether it’s for a quick drink or for dinner, here is my little summer selection, which is non-exhaustive, of course, and which I invite you to complete in the comments!
_
Table of Contents
Le 43 Up On The Roof
Definitely my favorite address of the summer! This ephemeral rooftop, which only exists during the summer season, is located on the roof of the Holiday Inn Paris Notre Dame hotel and offers a breathtaking view of all of Paris.
Running the bar is Andrew Kemp, head bartender, formerly at the 58 Bar and Lounge, which I have already mentioned on the blog in a previous article.
Note: the bar is unfortunately primarily accessible to Holiday Inn guests (which is understandable), so to go there, you absolutely must book several days in advance as the number of seats is limited! But the view is well worth the detour, and besides, the place is still one of those slightly secret addresses that are only shared sparingly…
Le Quarante Trois Cocktail Bar
Holiday Inn Paris Notre Dame
4 Rue Danton, 75006 Paris
tel: 01 81 69 00 60
Price: cocktails around €17_
The Basque terrace Au Trinquet
Au Trinquet is a little corner of the Basque Country in the southwest of Paris. You’ll find the Basque fronton for playing pelota, pintxos for aperitifs, and the good-natured atmosphere of our cousins from down there.
Well, the change of scenery has to be earned because you have to take the metro to Porte de Saint Cloud and then walk a bit to access this place, which is not necessarily the most convenient via public transport, but honestly, it’s doable.
During this summer, the Les Quincaillers collective is organizing afterworks on Fridays on the Au Trinquet terrace in a very relaxed and festive atmosphere.
Au Trinquet 8, quai de Saint-Exupéry 75016 Paris
_
The “Paillote” by Cointreau at the foot of the Opéra Garnier
Bertrand Mialet and Franck Bompani have opened an ephemeral bar like no other, a “paillote” (beach-style hut) with your feet in the sand and a view of one of the most beautiful historical monuments in Paris: the Opéra Garnier.
On the agenda: about fifty seats, the possibility of playing your own playlist by plugging into the old ghetto blaster, sharing platters, lounge chairs, hammocks, cocktails, and all without reservation.
Price: glasses of wine and beers from €5, cocktails from €12
La Paillotte de L'Opéra 1 place jacques rouche 75001 Paris From May 14 to October 1, 2016 open Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
_
The afterworks by IBIS Styles Paris Bercy
For the third consecutive year, IBIS Styles Paris Bercy is offering a series of “afterwork” evenings to enjoy the long summer nights on a magnificent terrace of over 1000 m2 facing Parc de Bercy. These evenings take place every Thursday of this Parisian summer.
On the agenda: a different theme each time, a DJ, a bar with beer, glass of wine or cocktail, the “The Fresh Connection” food truck (€7 for a special hot dog), activities, games (pétanque, ping pong, foosball, etc.),…
Upcoming themes:
- July 12, Paris Latino
- July 21, Closing Party
IBIS Styles Paris Bercy
77, rue de Bercy 75012 Paris
from May 12 to July 21, 2016 starting at 6 p.m.
and Thursdays of September 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2016
The great deal: entry is free for everyone!_
The Les Maquereaux barge
This cool ephemeral terrace is set up on the banks of the Seine, right next to a lovely barge.
On the menu, seafood products offered as planchas and tapas sourced as closely as possible from small producers, and refreshing drinks for a seafood bar on the right bank quays, perfect for experiencing the new pedestrian banks of the Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville.
To taste:
- The white tarama to share (€9).
- A selection of small, well-balanced white wines to accompany the establishment’s iodine-rich menu (between €4.5 and €6 per glass).
The little extra: on site, oysters from the open sea are opened on request by a professional from the Gliz ar Mor company, associated with oyster farmers from the Côtes d’Armor (go take a look at my articles on Binic and Saint Quay Portrieux). They are delicious and very iodine-rich.
Price: €12 for 6 oysters / €18 for 9 oysters / €24 for 12 oysters
La péniche Les Maquereaux Quai de l’hôtel de ville - Pont Louis Philippe 75004 Paris Open 7 days a week from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. Until the end of October 2016
_
The Jardin Municipal, a new ephemeral place in the heart of the Marais
Like last year with its Café Cour, the Crédit Municipal de Paris is offering an ephemeral café for the summer in the heart of the Marais, with a terrace of over 300 m² and an interior gallery of 250 m², all completely landscaped with greenery.
The Jardin Municipal has set up in the Cour Renaudot, an atypical place steeped in history, open to the public for the second time. Indeed, this listed courtyard houses remains of the medieval walls of Paris, built under Philippe-Auguste in the 13th century (remains of this wall are found almost everywhere in the capital).
With a summer menu, combined with a festive program, this haven of peace is one of the most popular spots of the summer (so there is sometimes a bit of a wait to get in). Indeed, protected from the cacophony of street terraces and city bustle, you can enjoy this exceptional half-shade, half-sun terrace to meet up in a calm and relaxed place.
Le Jardin Municipal
55/57 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
from June 9 to September 25, 2016
Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Friday to Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Price: spritz €6 / glass of wine €5 / half beer €4 / pint €7_
The hidden terrace of the Musée de la Vie Romantique
This museum in the city of Paris, nestled in a private mansion from the beginning of the 19th century, is one of my favorite places in the capital. It is a place out of time and with undeniable charm.
In addition, the place has a small interior terrace, hidden from the eyes of passersby and well-shaded. The address is unfortunately well known to Parisians and taken by storm as soon as the sunny days return. You can’t really make a reservation, so you have to arm yourself with patience or come at the right time and jump on a table that has just become free.
The great deal: also take the opportunity to take a tour of the museum, access to the permanent collections is free.
Price: afternoon combo, gourmet break at €5.50 with 1 hot drink + 1 treat
Musée de la Vie Romantique 16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris Tea room open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
_
The Jeu de Paume Terrace: la Boite à Images
Installed right on the side of the Jeu de Paume, the Boite à Images overlooks the octagonal basin of the Tuileries Garden.
It’s a fast-food spot but not without a certain summer charm with its umbrellas, and it allows you to take a little gourmet break before or after a visit to the Jeu de Paume Gallery, or even the Orangerie (which houses Monet’s Nymphéas) which is not very far away either.
To taste:
- A very generous rustic bread croque monsieur (€7.90).
- A quinoa, chicken and summer vegetable salad (€8.50), very fresh and light.
- A very good old-fashioned chocolate mousse (€3.80), with a little Nespresso coffee (€2.20), it’s always nice to conclude a lunch.
- As for drinks, there is notably the Michel & Augustin lemonade (€4.80) which I find super good!
The great deal: a lunch combo with baguette sandwich or croque + dessert + drink for €11.90
La Terrasse de la Boîte à Images 1 place de la Concorde – 75008 Paris Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Late opening on Tuesdays until 9 p.m.
_
The intimate terraces of the Maison Blanche
La Maison Blanche, a legendary and chic spot in the 15th arrondissement nestled at the top of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, has 2 very intimate terraces (the George V and the Montaigne), each with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower.
The spot is ideal for a chic moment during which you can enjoy a magical view of Paris, and throughout the summer events are organized there, such as the Roland-Garros fortnight, the “chérie-chéri” afterworks by Marie Garreau some Fridays starting at 8 p.m. (upcoming dates July 15 and 29), or even yoga sessions.
Maison Blanche 15, avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris Every day from 6 p.m. until the end of summer
_
The appetizer terrace of the Grande Cascade
The Pavillon de la Grande Cascade and its famous restaurant, hidden in the Bois de Boulogne and run for several generations by the Menut family, is one of the enchanting establishments that we love to frequent for a special occasion.
The establishment has a second terrace (in addition to the restaurant’s), open only for sunny days and which allows you to come to this exceptional place just to have a drink in the shade of large umbrellas, which can be much more accessible than coming to dine, for example.
On the agenda: classic cocktails, estate wines offered by the glass,…
Pavillon de la Grande Cascade Allée de Longchamp, Bois de Boulogne 75016 Paris Every day from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Price: €18 per cocktail, wines by the glass between €10 and €21, glass of champagne at €21
What about you, what are your favorite addresses with terraces in Paris?
Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ All my restaurant review articles in Paris
⇒ All my restaurants with terraces in Paris
MY FAVORITE TERRACE ADDRESSES IN PARIS
⇒ My selection of terraces for the summer
⇒ The winter terrace of the Bistrot Valois (75001)
⇒ The hidden terrace of Noura Montparnasse (75006)
⇒ The rustic terrace of the Chalet des Iles Daumesnil (Bois de Vincennes / 75012)
⇒ The terrace on the upper deck of the Galion boat restaurant (75016)
⇒ The secret and intimate terrace of the Relais du Parc (75016)
⇒ The terrace of the La Gare restaurant (75016)
⇒ The terrace of the Michelin-starred Grande Cascade restaurant in the Bois de Boulogne (75016)
⇒ The terrace of the River Café Barge in Issy-les-Moulineaux
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
