You know spring is coming to Paris when French windows are opened wide. Of course the best rooftop is your own, but if you’re stuck for options,Paris is crawling with outside sprawls. Once you’ve fulfilled the difficult task of choosing libations, sit back and bask in the rarefied air, high above the stuffy city streets.
Nüba
Located near Gare de Lyon, Nüba is a hot new spots hosting frequent music events and occasional BBQs. The roomy wooden deck is covered in picnic tables, but plenty of patrons sit cross-legged, picnic style. Back-to-back DJs and live bands give this place a Festival vibe – with none of the downsides: tasty, reasonably-priced apéritifs, moreish snacks and bathrooms are easily on hand! Plus, this place sports the city’s best view of the Seine.
Le Perchoir
So nice, they built it twice! Perchoir 1 is located in the 11th arrondissement, with a sister site in the 3rd. Atop a spiral staircase, this rooftop bar offers fresh bespoke cocktails. State your poison (for instance, Mezcal), and the bartenders will improvise with playful, well-paired add-ons. The comfy outside lounge area is the kind of place where happy hour becomes all-day. If you forgot the sunscreen (or the heavens open), there’s also a charming pagoda where you can search the horizon for site seeing favorites, like Sacre Coeur.
Mama Shelter
As a hotel, spa, restaurant and music venue, Mama Shelter is a one-stop shop. Between the delicious menu, the rotation of guest jazz and blues artists, and to-die-for spa treatments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at Mama Shelter. Thankfully, the drinks menu on the balcony commands relaxation: “Mama likes to listen, but she also likes to wet her lips”. This picture perfect rooftop, complete with tea lights and squashy patio cushions, is a beloved seasonal rarity for locals and travelers, opening 15 June through September.
