Parisian Terraces to try this Summer

“One never sees Paris for the first time; one always sees it again…”
– Edmondo de Amicis

Anyone who has visited Paris knows that the city has spectacular views from numerous locations. With summer finally on its way you have the opportunity to see these views from Paris’ beautiful terraces. To help you decide which ones to pay a visit to, here are my top 3 terraces to try this Summer: 

1. 43 Up on the Roof 

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This rooftop bar is one of Paris’ best kept secrets. Located on top of the Holiday Inn Hotel at Saint Michel, the bar is fairly unknown. The bar is open to the public but with a limit of 50 people so reservations are absolutely necessary and must be made fairly in advance, especially during summer time! The bar itself has a fairly simple but comfortable design and offers visitors a great cocktail menu with a 360 degree view of Paris. Something extra special is that you also get a view of neighbouring rooftops, giving the bar a really authentic Parisian feel. On top of that, because the public have to make a reservation and only guests are usually allowed to go to the bar, the bar is never overcrowded and always has a relaxing and calm feel.

It’s a really wonderful place to have a drink and admire the beauty of the city of lights. Cocktails start at €15 and a glass of champagne is €11. A little pricier, but you pay for the view from this gorgeous terrace!

43 Up on the Roof is open May 1st to September from Monday to Saturday 4.30pm to midnight, reservations can be made online. 
Address: 4 rue Danton 75006 Paris   Metro: Saint Michel or Odeon

Click here for their Facebook page
Click here to make a reservation 

2. Terrasse du Printemps

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The terrace on top of Printemps department store in the 9th arrondissement is one of the most beautiful places to take in the view of the city. It has a 360 degree view of the city from the 9th floor offering you the chance to see the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, the Grand and Petit Palais, the Opera house and much much more. The terrace has a number of tables where you can have a drink and a snack, as well as some fake grass with some gorgeous white benches where you can sit and take in the view. Access to the terrace is completely free but food and drink is available to buy from the self-service cantine!

The terrace is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 8pm and Thursday’s until 8.45pm
Address: 64 Boulevard Haussman, 75009 Paris  Metro: Havre Caumartin
Insiders tip – make sure you go to Printemps MAISON to access the terrace (There are three Printemps buildings)

2. Le Perchoir

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Not far away in the 11th arrondissement you’ll find Le Perchoir, a rooftop bar on the seventh floor of quite an inconspicuous building. You could easily miss the location of this bar as it’s not signposted at all but it’s usually fairly easy to find when you spot a queue of people waiting outside a rather plain looking building with a doorman! Go up to the bar and emerge into this secret world where people are drinking, eating and admiring the view. A full bar is available and the restaurant is located on the 6th floor. Prices range between 8 and 20 euros for drinks. The only downside is, as a result of being an open air bar, smoking is permitted on the terrace.

Le Perchoir is open from Monday to Friday from 6pm to 1am and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm until 2am.
Address: 14 Rue Crespin du Gast 75011 Paris   Metro: Menilmontant or Rue Saint Maur
Insiders tip – Go early for drinks or make a reservation for dinner because this place is always busy!