10 of the best rooftop bars
Posted on September 17, 2017 by VINGT EditorialOn a clear, starry evening, what could be better than sipping a glass of chilled Champagne with a panoramic view over Paris? Here we bring you 10 of our favourite places to do just that…
What could be better at this time of year than a drink on a rooftop terrace?
anneiscooking
aux pieds de la butte Montmartre, 18th
Tel: 06 76 27 63 39
Metro: Abbesses
An intimate rooftop refuge in picturesque Montmartre, what this place lacks in size it more than makes up for in atmosphere with a magical view of the Sacré-Cœur. Privately-owned by ‘Anne’ herself, advance booking is essential, but from four to 10 people can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, or up to 25 people for an aperitif. Please note that availability is only on specified days from Monday to Friday.
Cube Bar
Galeries Lafayette,
40 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th
Tel: 01 42 82 34 56
Metro: Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette
Tucked away on the 7th floor of the iconic French department store, Galerie Lafayette, you will find a terrace with sweeping views across the city. What better way to catch your breath during a hardcore shopping trip? Reminiscent of a bar in Saint-Tropez bar, they specialise here in Mediterranean tapas washed down with a chilled glass of champagne or a cocktail. Open during normal store hours.
Le Georges
Centre Pompidou
Palais Beaubourg, Place Georges Pompidou, 4th
Metro: Rambuteau
Tel: 01 44 78 47 99
One of the city’s most distinctive modern buildings, the Centre Pompidou is best-known for its landmark art exhibitions. However, on level six, you will also find an idyllic rooftop patio offering both food and cocktails for lunch and dinner. The views take in everything from the Panthéon, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower to the Grand Palais, the Louvre and the Sacré-Coeur. Access is via the dedicated lift in Place Georges Pompidou.
Molitor
13 rue Nungesser et Coli, 16th
Tel: 01 56 07 08 50
Metro: Michel-Ange Auteuil
A hanging garden of aromatic herbs and flowers, this idyllic rooftop enclave is billed as a “sensory oasis for re-energising”. Certainly, the views alone are enough to lift the spirit with a direct vista of the Eiffel Tower. The emphasis here is very much on health food, with raw or minute-cooked dishes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cocktail (or two) as well. At one time, the most popular swimming baths in Paris, the five-star hotel is a story in its own right – but that’s one for another day.
The spectacular view from the rooftop terrace of Hotel Raphael (Photo © Hotel Raphael)
La Terrasse
Hôtel Raphael
17 Avenue Kléber, 16th
Tel: 01 53 64 32 00
Metro: Kléber
With previous guests at this five-star hotel including Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, who lived here while they were filming the 1963 romantic comedy Charade, you’re sure to be in good company at this exclusive terrace bar and restaurant. Regarded as one of the most beautiful in the city, the rooftop setting also offers a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower – but with prices that reflect that.
Le Perchoir offers several popular rooftop bars
Le Perchoir
14 Rue Crespin du Gast, 11th
Tel: 01 48 06 18 48
Metro: Ménilmontant
On the sprawling terrace of this former industrial building, you will find a 360-degree panorama of Paris. A popular spot with creative types, there are also comfortable sofas with mismatched cushions, large convivial tables and quiet little corners, while providing the tunes is Karl Plank of web-radio station Radiooooo. The weekend lunchtime barbecues come recommended (booking essential at [email protected]). Check out their website for their other rooftop addresses around the city.
Mama Shelter
109 rue de Bagnolet, 20th
Tel: 01 43 48 48 48
Metro: Alexandre Dumas
Named by Vogue as the best rooftop bar in Paris as recently as June 2017, the seventh-floor of hip hotel Mama Shelter is the ‘place to be’ right now. Offering expansive views over the city, settle down among the glowing lanterns, colourful parasols and patterned cushions to enjoy either a tasty dish or one of their beautifully-blended cocktails. If you tire of the view, there’s also table-tennis to keep you entertained.
Playing table tennis on the rooftop terrace of Mama Shelter (Photo © Mama Shelter)
Nüba
36 Quai d’Austerlitz, 13th
Tel: 01 76 77 34 85
Metro: Gare d’Austerlitz
Sitting on top of the riverside culture hub that is La Cité de la Mode et du Design, this expansive terrace offers fantastic views over the surrounding quays. There’s a holiday, party kind of vibe to this fun nightspot with wooden decking, parasols and waterside setting, plus DJs spinning chillout tunes. As an added bonus, there’s also some reasonably priced snacks to nibble with your cocktails.
Terrass” Hotel
12 rue Joseph de Maistre, 18th
Metro: Blanche
Located in the picturesque neighbourhood of Montmartre, on the 7th floor of a smart hotel, this rooftop bar has to be one of the best in Paris. The views out towards the Eiffel Tower are breath-taking so be sure to get there early for a table on that side of the terrace. Chief barman and mixologist, Emeric Aguilar, offers a menu of 16 signature cocktails – or he can even create one for you – and there’s a selection of ‘crocs’ to line the stomach.
43 Up On the Roof
Holiday Inn Paris – Notre Dame
4 Rue Danton, 6th
Metro: Odéon
Forget your normal idea of a Holiday Inn and prepare to be surprised… On the ninth floor of their hotel near the Notre Dame, you will find a fantastic open-air terrace bar, 43 Up On the Roof. Offering extensive views over the city, including of the Eiffel Tower, expansive parasols, atmospheric lighting and leafy cactus plants are the order of the day here. There’s also a decent selection of cocktails and aperitifs.
