To me, Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, and one of the best ways to see it is to get a bit of height. After a long day of visiting, going to one of the rooftop bars and restaurants of the capital is one of the best things to do in Spring and Summer. There, you can relax, have a drink, and discover the city from a new point of view. Yet, those peace havens are rare in Paris, and therefore often crowded (except for the luxurious ones).

If you want to avoid the queue, try to book in advance, although it is not always possible. Last piece of advice: most of them are ephemeral, only during the summer. So if you visit in May or September, you’d better call to be sure. Want to now which are the best rooftops in Paris? Here is my (almost) exhaustive list. Have fun, head to the clouds!

THE LUXURIOUS ROOFTOPS


 

La Terrasse (Raphael Hotel)

hotel-raphael

In the heart of the 16th arrondissement, on top of one of the most luxurious Parisian hotels, La Terrasse (the terrace) is a peaceful haven with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. The gastronomic restaurant is perfect for a great occasion (75€ for a three-course lunch, 95€ for a dinner). At the bar, you can sip a delicious cocktail (28€), in the middle of a beautiful suspended garden.

Bar: Open every day from 4 pm
Restaurant: Lunch from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm, dinner from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm
17, Avenue Kléber, 75116

L’oiseau Blanc (Peninsula Hotel)

peninsula-hotel

Another restaurant on top of a 5-star hotel. Here you have two options. «L’oiseau blanc» serves a sophisticated and delicious traditional French cuisine, under a canopy that offers you a magnificent view (69€ or 109€ for a three-course lunch, 109€ for a dinner). Just next to it on the same terrace, the Rooftop bar has amazing cocktails (26€)

Bar: Open from 12.00 pm to 3.00 am
Restaurant: Lunch from 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm, dinner from 7.00 pm to 10.30 pm
19, Avenue Kléber, 75116

Maison Blanche

maison-blanche

This panoramic gastronomic restaurant is just a few steps away from the Champs Elysées. In a chic and romantic atmosphere, you can taste authentic French gastronomy. The elegant setting and the view from the Invalides to the Eiffel Tower makes it one the best rooftops in Paris. (different menus from 48€ to 125€).

Open for lunch: Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 2.00 pm
Dinner: All week long from 7.30 pm to 11.00 pm (Mandatory booking)
15, avenue Montaigne, 75008

THE TRENDY ROOFTOPS

Molitor

molitor

Molitor is one of the newest places to be in the West of Paris. This 1930s building hosts a pool, a 5-star hotel, a restaurant, and an awesome independent rooftop that I personally recommend. You can have a relaxed lunch with grilled fish or meat, or just sip a cocktail (15-18€). You will enjoy the view on Bois de Boulogne, or recover from a hot day at Roland Garros (2 minutes away). DJ sets on Thursday nights.

Rooftop: Open every day from 10.00 am to 01.00 am
13, rue Nungesser et Coli, 75016

Mama Shelter

mama-shelter

This is one of the most stylish Parisian terraces, designed by Philippe Starck. It is the perfect place to enjoy the summer evenings, with plants, sofas, hammocks and ping-pong tables. The cooking is nice and not too expensive, with mezze starters, rôtisserie chicken (20€), French burgers (17€). You will drink custom milkshakes (9€), signature cocktails (10-12€) or a glass of rosé wine.

Open Monday to Friday from 11.00 am to 11.30 pm, Saturday from 12.00 pm to 11.30 pm, Sunday from 5.00 pm to 11.30 pm.
109, rue Bagnolet, 75020

Nüba

nuba

By the Seine, on top the fashion and design center, this rooftop club is definitely one of the trendiest places of Paris. You can start the evening with a drink and a burger from the food-truck. Then, as night falls, the electro music gets louder and will make you dance until dawn. The atmosphere is relaxed and chill, the entrance is free and there’s a lot of space. Sounds like heaven! (cocktail: 12€, beer pint: 8€).

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 6.00 pm to 5.00 am, and from noon to 2.00 am on Sundays.
36, Quai d’Austerlitz, 75013

Le Perchoir

le-perchoir

Le Perchoir is one of the most famous rooftops in Paris. The original one is located in Ménilmontant, a young and festive neighborhood. The unmarked entrance used to make it a speakeasy bar, but it is now a victim of its own success and often overcrowded. It has two little sisters, in the trendy neighborhood of Le Marais (to relax after a Marais Tour), and on top of Gare de l’Est. All three are very successful, so you should arrive early to avoid the queue.

– Ménilmontant: 14, rue Crespin du Gast, 75011
Open Tuesday to Friday from 6.00 pm to 2.00 am, and from 4.00 pm to 2.00 am on weekends

– Le Marais (top of BHV building): 37, rue de la Verrerie, 75004
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 8.15 pm to 2.00 am

– Gare de l’Est (Eastern train station): access by the Saint Martin wing of the station, 252, rue du Faubourg Saint Martin, 75010
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 6.00 pm to 2.00 am

Khayma Rooftop (Generator Hostel)

generator-hostel

This secret rooftop is perfect for relaxation after work (or after-visit!). There is a breathtaking view of Montmartre and trendy decorations. The atmosphere is young and festive, and the drinks are a bit cheaper than average in Paris (cocktails at 8-9€). It is a great place to chill after a walk in the trendy neighborhood of Canal Saint Martin.

Open Monday to Sunday, 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm
11, Place du Colonel Fabien, 75010

Les Piaules

les-piaules

This youth hostel is one of the new hot spots of Belleville, in the gentrifying east of Paris. If you go up to the rooftop, you will enjoy an amazing view of Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur, as well as a festive and young atmosphere. If you are traveling on your own, it is the perfect place to meet new friends! The food is simple and not too expensive (7€ for a homemade Croque-Monsieur), the wine and beer as well. But do not expect a mojito, they don’t serve cocktails.

Open every day from 7.00 am to 2.00 am
59, boulevard de Belleville

THE UNEXPECTED ROOFTOPS

Brasserie Auteuil

brasserie-auteuil

This rooftop is not very high but is definitely one of the most secret and chic rooftops in Paris. The brasserie is built in a former train station of the Petite Ceinture (surrounding Paris). On top of it, you will find a small Italian-style terrace, full of vegetation. You can have lunch there for less than 20€, which is rare in the capital: pasta (16-19€), pizza (14-18€), salads (17-19€)… Then, you may sip a cocktail (12-14€) and enjoy the fresh air!

Open Monday to Tuesday from 8.00 am to 2.00 am
78, rue d’Auteuil, 75016

43 up on the roof (Holiday Inn)

43-inn

In the heart of Saint Michel, next to Notre Dame cathedral, this rooftop has one of the most beautiful views in the center of Paris. On top of the Holidays Inn hotel, this bar is unexpectedly intimate and pretty. Don’t hesitate to go and drink a cocktail or a glass of champagne, in front of the beautiful summer sunset… (drinks from 6€ to 15€).

Open Monday to Sunday from 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Mandatory booking)
4, rue Danton, 75006

Lounge Bar View (Novotel Vaugirard)

novotel-vaugirard

The best thing about this rooftop is that it is very simple and quiet. If you are not looking for music and a trendy atmosphere, this is where you want to go! Rather than a crowd of hipsters like lots of other rooftops, you will be surrounded by random Parisians having an after work drink. You can also have dinner, the prices are reasonable (about 30€ for two dishes).

Open every day from 5.00 pm to midnight
257 rue de Vaugirard, 75015

Terrass Hotel

terrass-hotel

In the heart of Montmartre, this romantic hotel offers an intimate rooftop terrace. Plants, deck chairs, sofas and parasols with a panoramic view of Paris! Be careful though, the clients of the hotel have priority access to the terrace, so it might be full for dinners. You can go for a lunch (26€ for two dishes, 34€ for three dishes), or a glass of Champagne after dinner.

Bar: every day from 3.30 pm to 1.00 am
Restaurant: open Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm for lunch, and Tuesday to Saturday from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm for dinner.
Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm, mandatory booking (42€)

Les Sardignac sur le toit (Cinema L’Etoile des Lilas)

sardignac

This rooftop does not have a breathtaking view of the capital, but it is a peaceful haven and a piece of countryside in Paris. Moreover, it is never too crowded, and you don’t need to buy a movie ticket to enter the bar. You can taste the simple and fresh cooking of Vincent and Emmanuelle (burgers, salads, meat, fish and charcuteries, around 20€), or just chill and have a drink in this relaxing place.

Open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 2.00 am
2, place du Maquis du Vercors, 75020

Déli-cieux (Printemps)

printemps

The two famous Grands Magasins (shopping centers), just next to each other, have their own rooftops. It is perfect to relax after a long day of shopping! Both offer a spectacular view of La Madeleine and the Opera. On top of the Printemps, the restaurant Déli-cieux offers a very simple self-service food. It is not gastronomy, but it is quite cheap (12€ for a quiche, 5€ for a French pastry). The terrace is beautiful, with lots of trees and plants.

Déli-cieux (Printemps)
Open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:35 am to 8 pm
Open until 8:45 pm on Thursday
64, Boulevard Haussman, 75009

La Terrasse (Galeries Lafayette)

galeries-terrasse

This big terrace gives you two options. The Cube Bar is a trendy place to have a drink and enjoy the view. Or, you may prefer having a lunch there: then, buy a take-away meal in one of the food shops of the Galeries, and eat it on the roof. Avoid going there on very hot days, it offers little shade.

Rooftop: Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm & Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Bar: Open Mondays to Saturdays from 11.00 am to 7.30 pm & from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm on Sundays

THE ARTSY ROOFTOPS

Point éphémère

point-ephemere

Although trendy and hip, this former artist squat is not pretentious at all. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and you can enjoy eclectic exhibitions, concerts, and events (often free). Take your drink up to the roof, and enjoy a unique view of Canal Saint Martin.

Open Monday to Friday from 6.00 pm to midnight, and from 12.30 pm to midnight on weekends. (Mandatory Booking)
22, Quai Valmy, 75010

Georges (Pompidou Center)

georges-pompidou

On top of the modern art museum of Paris, this restaurant has one of the most beautiful views of the center of Paris. It is just minutes away from Notre Dame and the Cité Island, and the trendy neighborhood of Le Marais. Beautiful place to have a drink or a meal, it is yet a bit expensive (starters at 15-30€, main courses 20-40€, glass of wine at 12-30€)

Open from noon to 2.00 am
Place Georges Pompidou, 75004

Zyriab (IMA, Arabic World Institute)

zyriab

On the roof of the Arabic world institute, you will find a beautiful and peaceful rooftop garden with a view of the Seine, Notre Dame, and the Bastille column. There is a restaurant where it is awesome to have Lebanese lunch or dinner (a meal will be around 50-60€). But my favourite option is to go for an Arabic tee time, with oriental cakes and Moroccan mint tea… (from 3 to 6 pm).

Open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to midnight, and from 11:00 am to 3.30 pm on Sunday.
1, rue des Fossés Saint Bernard, 75005

Les Ombres (Quai Branly Museum)

les-ombres

This museum about arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas is one of the hidden gems of Paris: very interesting, and never too packed. On top of it, there is an awesome restaurant, with a first-row view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. Meals are a bit expensive, but it is a very chic and unique place in Paris. (three-course dinner at 71€, lunch at 42€ except on weekends).

Open every day, from 12:00 pm to 2.15 pm for lunch, and from 7:00 pm to 10.15 pm for dinner
27, Quai Branly, 75007

Le Balcon (Paris Philharmonic concert hall)

le-balcon

Located in the North of Paris, in La Villette park, this restaurant has an unusual panoramic view of the city. It is the perfect place to have dinner after a concert. If you are only in Paris for a few days, I advise you to choose something more central, unless you want to have a walk in the park. Le Balcon offers a delicious French cooking (35-45€ for a meal).

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm (open later on concert nights)
Philharmonie de Paris, 221, avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019

Louxor

louxor

This iconic 1930s cinema, one of the most famous in Paris, has its own rooftop terrace. To enjoy it, you will have to buy a ticket, but they sometimes screen movies in their English original version. After the film, you will enjoy a light and typical French dinner, with a unique view of the Sacre Coeur.

Open from Monday to Friday from 6.00 pm to 10.30 pm, on Saturday from 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm, and on Sunday from 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm.
170, boulevard Magenta, 75010

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