There’s no better place to soak up some cracking views in the City of Light than from the rooftops. I’ve hit up countless rooftop bars in Paris in my time, yet the vistas of the sparkling Eiffel Tower and legendary Seine River continue to get me every time.
When I began working on my Paris food tours, finding the best rooftop bars was honestly pretty low on my priority list. In recent years, however, I’ve become increasingly fond of seeking out trendy rooftop terraces and top-floor cocktail bars.
My list of must-visit Paris rooftop bars is becoming longer than ever, but nothing beats these stylish spots and charming hidden gems.
ROOF Paris at Hotel Madame Rêve
Photo credit: ROOF Paris at Hotel Madame Rêve
Located in Les Halles, ROOF Paris is a classy rooftop bar that was once the Louvre Post Office. Having heard all about the beautiful views of the Church of St. Eustache from here, I had to check this place out.
ROOF sits atop the Hotel Madame Rêve, and it’s every bit as chic as the rest of the building. The expansive windows and vibrant orange upholstery give a modern twist to the otherwise traditional hotel decor.
I grabbed something to eat shortly before coming, but had I known they served such appetizing food, I would have waited and dined here. Nonetheless, I was eager to try one of their signature cocktails and went for the frozen vodka-based offering.
Oh-so-refreshing and served ice-cold, this drink was the perfect reprieve from the sweltering sunshine. While the silky vodka was slightly noticeable, the fruity rose, sweet guava, and citrussy lychee balanced out the flavors.
ROOF Paris (€€€) – 43 Rue Étienne Marcel, 75001 Paris, France – Open every day from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am
The Shed at Grands Boulevards Experimental
Photo credit: The Shed at Grands Boulevards Experimental
Even though The Shed lies along the edge of the lovely Bonne-Nouvelle neighborhood, coming here felt like I had escaped the jam-packed streets that lie below.
It doesn’t boast the panoramic views of many rooftop bars in Paris if that’s what you’re looking for. Instead, it features charming terraces beside old stone walls and pretty floral arrangements.
I came here intending to try some of their creative cocktails, but the picturesque setting, reminiscent of southern France, made me crave a glass of wine. The waiter suggested sampling the house rose, and my friend and I enjoyed a glass each.
This wine had the most gorgeous blush color and a lingering smooth finish. In terms of flavor, it ranged from fresh floral notes to deeper cherry-like undertones.
The Shed (€€€) – 17 Bd Poissonnière, 75002 Paris, France – Open every day from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Monday to Saturday during the winter)
Rooftop Bar at Hôtel Dame des Arts
Photo credit: Rooftop Bar at Hôtel Dame des Arts
The top-level terrace at the Hôtel Dame des Arts might just be my new favorite rooftop bar in Paris. Situated in the 6th arrondissement, this spot has some of the finest 360-degree views of the city.
When I wasn’t taking in the striking view of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, I was admiring the neutral-colored, plush couches and wooden flooring. It’s a relatively upmarket bar, yet it has a laid-back atmosphere.
My friends and I decided to share the hummus snacking plate while pondering which cocktail to order. The sesame-topped hummus was so creamy and nutty that we couldn’t help but order a second serving!
On this occasion, I didn’t fancy a sweet cocktail, so I tried the tequila and curacao drink. It was infused with cooling cucumber and soothing aloe vera syrup, but the fiery wasabi and sour lime gave the cocktail its zingy kick.
Rooftop Bar at Hôtel Dame des Arts (€€€) – 4 Rue Danton, 75006 Paris, France – Open every day from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
Windo Skybar at Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
Photo credit: Windo Skybar at Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
I’ve frequented plenty of rooftop bars in Paris over the years, but few places compare to the Windo Skybar in the Ternes district for sunset. It’s not far from the Arc de Triomphe, so it’s worth stopping by if you’re nearby.
Before visiting, I’d heard it was among the more upscale bars in the city. When I got here, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it felt unpretentious and relaxed despite the sparkling gold finishes and opulent high ceilings.
This place is known for its extensive selection of champagnes, so since it was my first visit, I felt it was only fitting that I sipped a glass or two. As much as I wanted to branch out a little, I couldn’t look past the Moët Impérial Brut.
As I expected, the champagne was elegant and dry, mixing gentle pair notes and hints of brioche. I must admit, the light bubbles and persistent finish somehow tasted even better when watching the sky turn various shades of pink and orange!
Windo Skybar (€€€) – 3 Pl. du Général Kœnig, 75017 Paris, France – Open every day from 6:30 pm to 12:00 am
Bramble at Les Ombres
Photo credit: Bramble at Les Ombres
I’d visited Les Ombres, the rooftop restaurant at Musée du quai Branly in Gros-Caillou, once or twice but never made it to Bramble, the on-site cocktail bar.
While Les Ombres is all about fine dining, Bramble takes a slightly more understated approach. From here, the Eiffel Tower views are nothing short of spectacular, and the terrace is filled with multi-colored seating and bright greenery.
Bramble has a short but exciting cocktail menu, and their unique creations appealed to me the most. The blackberry and mezcal combination sparked my curiosity almost immediately.
Like a traditional bramble, this cocktail had a base of blackberry cream. However, this tart liqueur was fused with zesty lime, delicate geranium vinegar, and smokey mezcal. Between the invigorating flavors and crushed ice, this was the ultimate summer drink.
Bramble at Les Ombres (€€€) – 27 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France – Open every day from 6:00 pm until late
Maggie Rooftop at Hôtel Rochechouart
Photo credit: Maggie Rooftop at Hôtel Rochechouart
Hôtel Rochechouart, and its namesake neighborhood beside Montmartre, is home to Maggie Rooftop. For the best views of Paris’ Sacré-Cœur, you have to check this place out.
Everything about Maggie Rooftop screams Parisian sophistication. I loved how it felt like a high-end restaurant, yet the wrought iron tables and the scent of growing herbs were perfect for the outdoor setting.
After glancing over the menu of light bites, I decided to order the grilled prawns, which turned out to be an ideal pairing for my gin-based cocktail.
The prawns came out in minutes and were succulent, meaty, and lightly charred. Their gentle sweetness complimented the piney flavors of the gin, bringing out the hibiscus’ cranberry notes and sharp bergamot.
Maggie Rooftop (€€€) – 55 Blvd Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris, France – Open every day from April to October from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Sequoia Rooftop Bar at Kimpton St. Honoré
Photo credit: Sequoia Rooftop Bar at Kimpton St. Honoré
Sequoia Rooftop is around the corner from the Palais Garnais and is among the most chilled-out bars on this list.
While the ambiance is rather low-key, the decor at Sequoia is as sleek and refined as any upmarket spot in the city. I came here on a warm summer evening, and it was awash with locals and visitors unwinding with a quiet drink.
As soon as I glanced over the menu and noticed Sancerre white wine was an option, I knew my mind would be made up pretty quickly!
While I try to be diverse with my wine choices, the complex textures and grassy aromas of a Sancerre white are tough to beat. This particular glass had an exquisite mineral finish that showcases the wine’s subtle elderflower and citrus flavors.
Sequoia Rooftop Bar (€€€) – 27-29 Bd des Capucines, 75002 Paris, France – Open every day from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
Laho Rooftop
Photo credit: Laho Rooftop
Laho Rooftop in the Quinze-Vingt neighborhood is always a good choice if you’d prefer somewhere a little livelier with breathtaking views.
This beloved rooftop bar in Paris overlooks Le Marais, and DJ sets are commonplace here several nights a week. I prefer sitting in the colorful outdoor area, but Laho also has some lovely indoor seating.
It took around ten minutes of studying the menu to finally make a decision, as the cocktail list was brimming with mouthwatering creations. A whiskey cocktail isn’t something I typically go for, but the addition of vanilla and ginger beer sounded delicious.
The warmth from the malty whiskey and spicy ginger beer becomes more intense with each sip. Because they were paired with aromatic vanilla and bright mint, the cocktail struck a balance of opposing flavors.
Laho Rooftop (€€) – 5-9 Rue Van Gogh, 75012 Paris, France – Open every day from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am
Conclusion
Enjoy a post-sightseeing tipple and watch the sun go down over the Paris skyline in these terrific rooftop bars. Almost every big city has a collection of swanky sky bars these days, but I’ve yet to find any with panoramic views that rival those of the French capital’s line-up.