12 Parisian terraces for summer only
Festive, discrete or cultural ... summer terraces are idyllic spots for enjoying the sunny outdoors in Paris
With the arrival of summer, Parisians and tourists adore sitting out on the terraces of cafes, brasseries and gastronomicrestaurants. In recent years, there has been a flurry of outdoor spaces popping up just for the summer months; these are perfect places for an alfresco lunch, dinner or a drink in the city. Take a quick look at some great ephemeral terraces for summer 2017!
The 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower
A terrace in the colours of the Olympics
For a drink, or an ice-cream in a spectacular setting, go to the summer terrace of the Eiffel Tower, 57 metres above the ground. With Paris bidding for the 2024 Olympic Games, the city’s iconic monument is decorated accordingly and is also offering visitors the opportunity to try out a fitness bike or to visualize the future Olympic Park in augmented reality!
The Cognacq-Jay cafe
A relaxing break in a charming stone courtyard
Every summer, the Musée Cognacq-Jay sets out tables and chairs in its tranquil little courtyard for a relaxing pause in the heart of the Marais. Old stonework, the charm of a Parisian hôtel particulier, plus Mediterranean and vegetarian cuisine: simple pleasures to enjoy on a visit to this museum, which boasts an outstanding collection of paintings from the 18th century.
Le Palazzo
Entertainment at the foot of an Art Deco palace
With its pétanque court, Spritz bar and DJ caravan, the Palazzo is a fun ephemeral terrace to relax after a hot summer’s day. At this great location on the forecourt of the Palais de la Porte Dorée (which houses notably the Musée National de l’Histoire de l’Immigration), you can dance whilst admiring the unusual view of this extraordinary building decorated with bas-reliefs and a grand colonnade.
Le Royal Monceau
A cocktail bar in a hanging garden
Make time stand still as you delight in this flowery setting that overlooks the garden of a palace hotel: this is what the Royal Monceau Raffles offers you with its ‘Belvedere hanging garden' until September. By appointment, lovers and friends can enjoy a cocktail here – a place out of time.
Ground Control
The return of the ‘friche musicale’
For its 4th edition, the ace of urban wastelands is back in the courtyard of a former postal sorting centre near to the Gare de Lyon (12th). The recipe has not changed: second-hand furniture, pockets of nature, yoga classes, beer and DJ sets. A place that is both unpretentious and unusual, where people come to spend an evening with family or friends, and enjoy something to eat from one of the many food trucks.
Le Flow
Party time on the water
Known for its rooftop bar, open year-round, the Flow spills out onto the quayside for summer! An ideal spot to sit back in a deckchair and enjoy a snack in a festive atmosphere on the banks of the Seine whilst feasting your eyes on the majestic Alexandre III bridge … Or have an aperitif before going on to dance inside the barge on clubbingevenings.
The Molitor swimming pool
The offbeat rooftop terrace
At Molitor, there is no beach or river, but there is an iconic Parisian art deco swimming pool. If you do not get to dive into its crystal clear water (reserved for guests of the hotel, the spa and the club Molitor), you can still gaze on it from the venue’s roof terrace, open until September only. Enjoy house cocktails, grilled meat and fresh salads with electronic music playing in the background.
La Génie d’Alex
An alternative cafe at the bottom of the Champs-Elysées
A veritable cultural pop-up bar, the Génie d’Alex is a great place to chill out in summer. Occupying a huge vaulted hall at the foot of the Alexandre III Bridge, this alternative ephemeral cafe spreads outside onto the banks of the Seine. Canteen, theatre, games and dances liven up the summer, a stone’s throw from the Avenue des Champs Elysées!
La 8 Iéna
A terrace in the garden of a palace
If there is one terrace that offers a smart green setting and gastronomy rolled into one, it is the terrace which opens each year on the forecourt of the Shangri-La palace hotel. In the stylish atmosphere of a French garden, the 8 Iéna pampers your taste buds and offers you inventive vegetarian cuisine prepared by a starred-chef. On the menu this year: velvety chilled peas, artichoke focaccia, jasmine pavlova, vegan sorbets ...
La Démesure sur Seine
Barbecues and cocktails along the waterside
La Démesure sur Seine: barbecues and cocktails Opening only in fine weather, La Démesure sur Seine offers a unique kind of setting by the water. It has a 900 m² terrace with leafy trees strung with lanterns, a cocktail bar serving elaborate drinks, and most of all – the largest barbecue in Paris. An idyllic place to enjoy the best of summer in the capital!the waterside
Le Minipalais
A hidden oasis at the Grand Palais
With its palm trees, cane furniture and mosaic flooring, the terrace of the Minipalais has all the appearance of an Oriental oasis in the heart of Paris! Tucked away behind one of the neoclassical colonnades of the Grand Palais, this 300 m² venue offers a magical view of the Petit Palais and is an enchanting setting in which to have a drink or enjoy the refined cuisine of its restaurant. A place not to miss, popular with lovers.
L’Instant
A dazzling view of the Eiffel Tower
The terrace of L’Instant has contemporary design chairs for lounging in as you sip a glass of rosé wine opposite the Eiffel Tower. Open daily from 6pm, this floating restaurant offers fresh seasonal cooking: salads, fish, kebabs ... A picture-perfect place to end a day of sightseeing in the Eiffel Tower district!
