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 2018!
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.
3 Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8th
Metro : Champs-Elysées - Clémenceau
Le Palazzo
Entertainment at the foot of an Art Deco palace
With its pétanque court, 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.
293 Avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12th
Metro : Porte Dorée
The Café at the Musée Maillol
Tucked away in a beautiful mansion
Art enthusiasts now have the chance to combine a visit to an exhibition with coffee in the sun! Housed in the paved courtyard of this 17th-century mansion, the Musée Maillol’s terrace is an gem of tranquility and simplicity. On the menu: quiche, sandwiches, seasonal salads, and a selection of homemade cakes and pastries for you to try. It offers the perfect opportunity to take a break after visiting the museum’s exhibitions, such as Foujita: Painting in the Roaring Twenties (1913-1931), which is showing until 15 July.
59-61 Rue de Grenelle, Paris 7th
Métro : Rue du Bac
The roof of the Grande Arche
An unobstructed view of Paris
This summer will delight fans of cityscapes! A rooftop terrace is opening on the Grande Arche de La Défense, a feat of engineering and an iconic part of the Parisian skyline. It’s a great place for culture and ‘bistronomy’, housing a photojournalism exhibition as well as a bistro restaurant with a friendly atmosphere. But, above all, the 110-metre promenade provides a 360° view over Greater Paris. Don’t miss it!
1 Parvis de la Défense, Puteaux
Metro : La Défense (Grande Arche)
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.
4 Port des Invalides, Paris 7th
Metro : Invalides
Jardin Suspendu
A green rooftop with a view over Paris
From 14 June 2018, get together near the Porte de Versailles to discover the astonishing panoramic view from the Jardin Suspendu! Until 2 September, the top floor of the Parc des Expositions car park has been transformed into a terrace garden, open on Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer. It has a wide programme of events, a farm, an open air cinema, and, of course, plenty of refreshments.
In front of the 40 Rue d'Oradour-sur-Glane, Paris 15th
Metro : Porte de Versailles
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.
13 Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16th
Metro : Porte d’Auteuil
La Démesure sur Seine
Barbecues and cocktails along the waterside
Open only on fine days, the Démesure sur Seine has taken over the city’s riverbanks to install a unique kind of decor. 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.
69 Port de la Rapée, Paris 12th
Metro : Gare d’Austerlitz
La Papa Cabane
A large terrace in the Bercy district
Open every Thursday throughout the summer, Papa Cabane has an enormous 1,000 m² decked terrace where you can enjoy the sun until 9.30pm. The bar is well-known for its lively evenings with DJs from Paris’s growing electro scene. This is somewhere you can have a good time while drinking cocktails and tasting a range of street food. And for something active to do while you’re listening to the music, there’s ping-pong, tablefootball, mölkky, and a pétanque court.
Rue Paul Belmondo, Paris 12th
Metro : Bercy
The rooftop at Point Ephémère
A haven of peace next to the canal
When the sun shines down on Paris, the rooftop terrace of the Point Ephémère is an oasis of calm alongside the canal. People come here to relax, have a drink, and eat some tapas, but also to learn to brew beer, or work out at a Swedish gym session. And parents will be thrilled with the fact that children can keep themselves busy in the playground.
200 Quai de Valmy, Paris 10th
Metro : Jaurès
Le Clos de la Belle Juliette
A secret garden
In the heart of the 6th arrondissement, an enchanting curtain of greenery awaits visitors to the Belle Juliette hotel and spa. Open in June and July, this hidden garden promises relaxation as well as pleasure for the taste buds. Enjoy creative cocktails based on tea-infused rums, as well as fine Italian-inspired cuisine. Share a moment with friends or a partner – perhaps after an afternoon in the spa!
92 Rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris 6th
Metro : Vaneau
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 from 16 July 2018, this floating restaurant has a fresh, summery menu: salads, fish, kebabs ... A picture-perfect place to end a day of sightseeing in the Eiffel Tower district!
2 Port Debilly, Paris 16th
Metro : Trocadéro
