Without a doubt the hottest spot in Paris right now, this
über-trendy roof terrace, situated on the top floor of the BHV
department store in the chic Marais district, opens its doors
Thursday through Saturday night when the shops downstairs close.
Offering cocktails, finger food, top DJs and a spectacular
180-degree view that includes the Eiffel Tower, Hôtel de Ville,
Notre Dame and Bastille, this is the place to be seen lounging away
the night in the French capital. No reservations so be there early
or get ready to queue.

The somewhat odd location in the Eastern Parisian suburb of
Bagnolet is actually part of the appeal of the ultra-hip Mama
Shelter hotel. Apart from serving the best Sunday brunch in Paris
in its ground floor restaurant and terrace, this unconventionally
funky budget boutique hotel, with its minimalist design by Philippe
Starck, also has one of the city’s coolest rooftops. As a
non-resident, you can book a table on the terrace for dinner
(weather dependent) or if you want a blow-out night you can book
the whole thing for a candle-lit private party under the stars.

The top floor of the newly renovated Terrass” Hotel in
Montmartre has been converted into a leafy green oasis with
panoramic views of Paris, including the financial district and the
shimmering Eiffel Tower. While the restaurant is arguably one of
the most romantic dinner venues in town, the chilled-out rooftop
bar has an impressive cocktail list. Reservations can be made at
the (indoor) panoramic restaurant and tables on the terrace are
available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Barbès may be edgy but there’s nothing shabby about the latest
addition to the scene in this up-and-coming Parisian neighbourhood.
With its huge panoramic windows and chic design, Brasserie Barbès
is quite simply a beautiful space and its first floor open-air
patio terrace is the icing on the cake. Open from early morning
until late night, it serves breakfast, cocktails and everything in
between. Watch this space for the spectacular roof terrace opening
scheduled some time later this year.

One of Paris’ best-kept secrets can be found just across the
road from Brasserie Barbès. Situated on top of a beautiful vintage
cinema built in 1921, abandoned in 1988 and finally renovated and
re-opened in 2013, the terrace of Le Louxor offers a high-quality
selection of food and drink before and after its film screenings.
Why not take this unique opportunity to brush up on your French
film culture, followed by a delicious meal overlooking the Sacré
Coeur?

While not strictly a rooftop, it would be impossible to write a
terrace guide to Paris without including at least one of its
riverside barges. Rosa sur Seine is the latest offering from the
team behind the immensely popular Rosa Bonheur in Parc des
Buttes-Chaumont. The guinguette tavern on the waterfront offers
more of the same in a central location – situated just below the
Alexandre III Bridge, with the Eiffel Tower glittering in the
background. The crowd is laid-back and unpretentious, the music is
upbeat and the pizzas from wood-fired oven on the riverside terrace
ensure you don’t leave hungry.