Paris rooftop bars and elevated restaurants offer some of the most memorable vantage points in the city, combining skyline views with atmosphere you cannot find at street level. This article explores the best rooftop restaurants in Paris and the most impressive rooftop bars, helping you choose elevated venues where great food, great views, and the unmistakable Paris mood come together effortlessly.

TL;DR

  • Paris rooftop bars and restaurants combine skyline views, fresh air, and distinctive atmospheres you can’t get at street level.
  • Options range from casual sunset bars (Le Perchoir Marais, Laho) to luxury dining terraces (Peninsula, Hôtel Raphael, Girafe, Monsieur Bleu).
  • Neighborhoods and vibes vary: Marais chic, Montmartre romance, Champs-Élysées glamour, Haussmannian department-store rooftops, and more.
  • Many rooftops specialize in craft cocktails, seafood, or refined French cuisine, often with DJ sets or seasonal decor.
  • Ephemeral summer pop-up rooftops add a creative, youthful twist with limited-time concepts and themed designs.
  • Rooftop evenings often require reservations, smart-casual dress, and early arrivals, especially for Eiffel Tower-view spots.

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Le Perchoir Marais

On top of the BHV Marais department store, Le Perchoir Marais captures urban chic with an artistic twist. Hidden above the fashionable Marais district, this rooftop bar has the feel of a secret oasis overlooking historic Paris. The decor gives off a Mediterranean beach club vibe – white parquet floors, nautical striped cushions, and potted olive trees evoke a fancy seaside resort in the heart of the city.

As golden hour hits, the atmosphere is pure magic: the terrace is bathed in warm light, and panoramic views span from the graceful towers of Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower touching the sky. The crowd here is a stylish mix of locals and in-the-know travelers, creating an artsy, convivial energy. A live DJ spins mellow electronic beats most evenings, infusing the air with a festive buzz.

Le Perchoir Marais is more about creative cocktails than heavy dining – their signature drinks use seasonal ingredients and pair perfectly with a few tapas or a lobster roll snack. It’s a golden-hour perfection spot, though be prepared for popularity: lines can form on warm nights.

Get here early to snag a cushioned bench with a prime view of the Hôtel de Ville’s ornate facade and the Seine beyond. Once seated, you’ll understand why Parisians consider this rooftop perch one of the city’s most vibrant open-air secrets.

Sequoia Rooftop Bar

Perched on the 10th floor of the Kimpton St Honoré Hotel, Sequoia Rooftop Bar offers a stylish escape high above central Paris. This chic terrace – designed by architect Charles Zana – feels like a modern garden in the sky, complete with lush greenery and soft lighting that transitions as day turns to night.

By late afternoon the space lives up to its namesake, a tranquil “sequoia” bubble of relaxation where sunlight filters through potted plants onto comfy lounge chairs. Come sunset, white candles dot the tables and floor, casting a glamorous glow across the deck. The 360° views here are nothing short of spectacular: from one corner you see the gilded Opera Garnier, from another the distant sparkle of the Eiffel Tower.

The atmosphere is elegant and intimate – a refined haven above the busy Boulevard des Capucines below. Sequoia’s bar serves up craft cocktails as sophisticated as its décor, alongside fine wines and champagne. It’s perfect for a romantic aperitif or a stylish meet-up with friends.

As you sip a signature cocktail infused with herbs (perhaps plucked from the terrace’s own planters), you can watch Paris shift from day to night in a 360° panorama. The soft tunes, attentive service, and sky-high chic ambience make Sequoia an instant classic among Paris rooftop bars.

Terrass’’ Hotel Rooftop

At the top of Montmartre’s Terrass’’ Hotel, a romantic hideaway awaits with old-world Parisian charm and sweeping skyline vistas. This 7th-floor rooftop bar and restaurant, nestled on the butte of Montmartre, enjoys one of the city’s most beautiful panoramic views.

From here, Paris is spread at your feet: a sea of zinc rooftops as far as the eye can see, the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance, the golden dome of Les Invalides, even the greenery of Montmartre Cemetery below. The terrace itself feels like an extension of Montmartre’s artistic soul. It’s both chic and unpretentious, with a relaxed glamour.

By day, parasols and comfy rattan chairs invite leisurely lunches; by evening, soft lights and clinking wine glasses set a calm, intimate mood. Couples often cozy up on the porch swing – a coveted seat for two that adds a playful romantic touch. Inside, the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame the sunset if the weather turns breezy, offering a retro-modern Art Deco ambiance with Scandinavian furniture and filament bulbs.

On warm nights, you might even find a seasonal theme: one summer the rooftop transformed into a Cuban-inspired lounge with velvet armchairs and tropical greenery; in winter, it can turn into a snug alpine chalet serving hot raclette.

But year-round, Terrass’’ rooftop is about Montmartre’s unique allure – artistic, slightly bohemian, yet effortlessly elegant. As you sip a cocktail or enjoy a plate of charcuterie, the soft glow of Sacré-Cœur behind you and the twinkle of the city ahead create an ambiance of pure Parisian romance.

Le Georges

Suspended atop the Centre Pompidou, Le Georges is an ultra-modern rooftop restaurant that blends avant-garde design with breathtaking panoramic views. The moment you step off the famous exterior escalator (“the caterpillar”) and into Le Georges, you enter a futuristic space that mirrors the museum’s creative energy.

Inside, the decor itself is artwork: sleek concrete floors and giant curving metallic pods form private alcoves, a design by architects Jakob + MacFarlane that feels surreal and sculptural. Floor-to-ceiling glazed walls encase the dining room, so whether you’re seated at a cozy table or by the bar, Paris is your backdrop in every direction.

As daylight fades, the city’s monuments light up – you’ll spot the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur basilica perched on Montmartre, the silhouettes of Notre-Dame, and the modern skyscrapers far to the west. It truly offers a panorama of all of Paris’s most beautiful monuments. By night, the interior’s minimalist gray tones and soft ambient lighting create a chic, almost cinematic atmosphere; you feel like you’re floating above the city in a stylish glass cloud.

The cuisine at Le Georges is refined French with global touches (after all, it’s part of the Costes group), but the focus here is as much on the visual feast as the edible one. Dining “inside the sky” with Paris’s glittering expanse around you is a unique thrill.

Few places mix art and cuisine so effortlessly – fitting, given the modern art museum just downstairs. Le Georges offers a one-of-a-kind mix of artsy energy and fine dining flair that makes an evening here unforgettable.

Monsieur Bleu

Tucked into the Palais de Tokyo, Monsieur Bleu exudes an elegant, understated glamour that makes it one of Paris’s chicest elevated dining experiences. The restaurant’s interior, designed by Joseph Dirand, is a study in modern Art Deco: a palette of moss green velvet chairs, dark green marble panels, and soft gold lighting that bathes everyone in a flattering rosy glow.

As evening falls, the lighting is impeccable – gentle and golden, it’s been said to take ten years off any face. This refined indoor ambiance opens onto a spacious terrace with unbeatable views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. In fact, Monsieur Bleu’s terrace boasts one of the best views of the Tour Eiffel in all of Paris. At night, while you dine on contemporary French cuisine or just sip a champagne cocktail, the Eiffel Tower stands across the river, periodically dazzling with its hourly light show.

The crowd here is dressy and stylish – a mix of well-heeled locals, fashion industry figures, and international jet-setters who appreciate the restaurant’s fashionable reputation. Despite the scene, the vibe remains warm and convivial, not stuffy. You’ll often hear a gentle buzz of conversation and clinking glasses as background music plays subtly. Service is polished yet friendly, making you feel welcome in what could have been an intimidating space.

Come on a Sunday evening and you’ll find it surprisingly relaxed (it’s one of the few top restaurants open daily, a plus for Sunday dining). Whether you’re here for a full dinner or a cocktail at the outdoor bar, Monsieur Bleu delivers understated style and a cinematic Eiffel Tower backdrop that encapsulates Parisian sophistication.

Girafe (Trocadéro Terrace with Eiffel Tower Views)

If Paris had a rooftop definition of glamour, Girafe would be it. Nestled in the Cité de l’Architecture at Trocadéro, Girafe combines 1930s Art Deco elegance with a front-and-center view of the Eiffel Tower that feels almost close enough to touch. The restaurant’s design by Joseph Dirand pays tribute to the bygone era of sleek ocean liners and grand Parisian brasseries.

You’ll dine on cream-colored banquettes beside tropical plants and under a chic marble bar – a refined setting that blends vintage elegance with a carefree, contemporary air. The highlight, of course, is the stunning terrace which is in intimate dialogue with the Eiffel Tower. Step outside and you find yourself face-to-face with the Iron Lady, an unobstructed view across the Seine that steals the breath of first-timers and even jaded locals.

At sunset, the tower looms in silhouette against a cotton-candy sky; at night, it dazzles with golden lights just beyond your table. Girafe’s atmosphere is sophisticated yet relaxed – pastel tones, wicker and rattan accents, and softly glowing lanterns give it a sultry Riviera vibe in the heart of Paris.

The cuisine leans toward high-end seafood (oysters, lobster, and whole fish from the grill), aligning with the restaurant’s chic “sea house” theme, but even a simple cocktail here feels special given the setting. It’s a favorite for celebratory dinners, proposals, and well-heeled gatherings, yet the service maintains a friendly Parisian charm.

Reservations are a must, as this is one of the most sought-after tables in town – for good reason. Few experiences rival sipping a fine Sancerre and tasting exquisite seafood while the Eiffel Tower performs its sparkling show just a stone’s throw away. Girafe is sophisticated dining meets postcard-perfect Paris.

Laho Rooftop

For a more laid-back, urban chic vibe, Laho Rooftop has quickly become a favorite sunset perch in Paris. Just a stone’s throw from Gare de Lyon, this rooftop bar is perched 60 meters high and offers an incredible 360° view of the capital. The setting is modern and warm: think contemporary wooden deck, clean-lined furniture with plush cushions, and lots of verdant plants giving it a relaxed garden terrace feel.

As its name hints (“La Haut” means “up there”), Laho feels tucked away above the city’s bustle – an open-air living room where friends gather after work for cocktails and aperitifs in the orange glow of dusk. The view is a unique one, stretching from the towers of La Défense on one horizon to the tip of the Eiffel Tower on the other, with the rooftops of eastern Paris in between. But it’s the sunset spectacle that truly sets Laho apart: nearly every evening, the sky puts on a show of color, and this rooftop offers a front-row seat to that natural theater.

The bar serves refreshing spritzes, craft cocktails, and shareable platters with a focus on local ingredients, so you can nibble on artisan cheeses or charcuterie as the sun dips low. There’s a friendly, mixed crowd – from groups of Parisian friends to couples and a few savvy tourists – all drawn by the easygoing atmosphere. On weekends, Laho often hosts DJs, turning the volume up just enough to keep things lively without drowning out conversation.

It’s an easygoing city atmosphere up here: no reservation needed, just put your name in the virtual queue and await your turn. Grab a seat on a bench or lean against the railing with your drink; as the sky ignites in hues of pink and orange, you’ll appreciate this unpretentious gem where Paris feels both grand and familiar at once.

Perruche (Printemps Haussmann)

Bright, stylish, and lush with greenery, Perruche is a vibrant rooftop restaurant perched atop the Printemps Haussmann department store. It’s often described as a verdant oasis above the city streets, and indeed stepping onto Perruche’s terrace feels like entering a garden in the sky.

Potted palms, fragrant flowers, and trellises of green surround cozy lounge sofas in sun-kissed yellow and orange hues – the design merges Parisian chic with Mediterranean warmth. The result is an inviting setting reminiscent of a stylish urban jungle, perfect for both leisurely lunches and cocktail-soaked sunsets. As a spacious 500 m² terrace, there’s room to roam and various nooks to settle into, whether you prefer a proper dining table or a cushioned rattan banquette beneath a pergola.

The 360° views remind you this is indeed Paris: look one way for the Opéra Garnier’s grand dome, another for Sacré-Cœur on its hill, and yet another for the distant sparkle of the Eiffel Tower. At golden hour, the rooftops around you glow, and you feel suspended in a rare quiet above the normally busy Boulevard Haussmann.

Perruche’s menu offers a full dining experience – from Provençal-inspired dishes (colorful salads, grilled fish, burrata with sun-ripened tomatoes) to creative cocktails that often come garnished with fresh herbs or edible flowers. As day turns to night, the atmosphere stays lively: soft DJ music or live acoustic sets often play, enhancing the lounge vibe without overpowering the scene.

It’s undeniably photogenic – the kind of place where you’ll see fellow patrons snapping selfies against the panoramic backdrop of Paris. Yet it remains more than a pretty space; Perruche captures that joyful art de vivre of Parisian summer nights. It’s bright, sociable, and utterly charming – dining among the rooftops with the city’s beauty all around.

Hôtel Raphael Rooftop

On the rooftop of the classic Hôtel Raphael near the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll find La Terrasse – a garden-like hideaway exuding refined Parisian luxury. This rooftop is a quiet alternative to the busier bars around town, offering an intimate atmosphere that feels like a private club in the sky. Lush greenery and blooming red geraniums line the terrace, creating a true hanging garden with nature all around.

Amid the plants are pops of French elegance: white and yellow striped lounge chairs, crisp tablecloths, and white parasols shading tables during the day. The views are nothing short of spectacular – you’re right next to the Arc de Triomphe, which you can practically reach out and touch, and beyond that the Eiffel Tower rises prominently against the skyline. In every direction you see iconic Paris: the broad sweep of Champs-Élysées below, Montmartre off in the distance, and the sprawling cityscape in between.

As evening sets in, the terrace takes on a golden glow; lanterns flicker on tabletops and the city’s lights sparkle to life. The Hôtel Raphael rooftop operates as a champagne bar and restaurant, so expect top-notch bubbles, wines, and crafted cocktails, as well as an elevated menu of shareable French bites (caviar, artisanal cheeses, and foie gras, to name a few). It’s undeniably a splurge, but the ambiance is serene and elegant, perfect for a special date or a celebration.

The service is discreet and attentive, in line with the five-star hospitality of the hotel. Despite the luxury, the vibe isn’t stuffy – it’s relaxed, almost cocooned from the city’s hustle, making you feel you’ve discovered a secret corner of Paris. For those seeking classic sophistication with a view, the Raphael’s rooftop delivers an experience both cozy and grand, harkening back to an older era of Parisian glamour.

Peninsula Paris Rooftop Restaurant

For the ultimate upscale rooftop experience, the Peninsula Paris hotel offers a two-part marvel: L’Oiseau Blanc, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and Le Rooftop bar, both on its top floor. Together they deliver first-class dining and drinks with first-class views. Just steps from the Arc de Triomphe, the Peninsula’s height and location provide breathtaking 360° vistas, with the Eiffel Tower as a dramatic close-up backdrop.

L’Oiseau Blanc (named after a historic French biplane) is an all-season indoor restaurant encased in glass – you’ll feel like you’re floating above Paris, with panoramic windows framing landmarks in every direction. The interior decor nods to aviation’s golden age, complete with a replica of the 1927 plane suspended nearby, but it’s all done in a tasteful, contemporary style that speaks to the hotel’s luxury.

Dining here is a truly luxurious and romantic affair: the restaurant has two Michelin stars, and the seasonal French cuisine is as exquisite as the cityscape beyond your plate. As you savor dishes that are almost art pieces, you might genuinely struggle to decide what’s more impressive – the food or the view. After dinner (or before), step out to Le Rooftop bar area for an open-air perspective.

This chic terrace lounge is adorned with comfy sofas, subtle lighting, and greenery, offering a relaxed complement to the formality of the dining room. With a cocktail or a glass of grand cru in hand, you can watch the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower and see the city’s lights spark to life – a jaw-dropping sight if there ever was one. The service here is, as expected, polished to perfection: professional yet friendly, ensuring you feel pampered.

Yes, the experience comes with a hefty price tag and a need for advance reservation (especially for L’Oiseau Blanc), but what you get is pure cinematic Paris. It’s no exaggeration to call it the Peninsula’s crowning glory rooftop experience – one that leaves a lasting memory of Paris as a glittering, elegant panorama.

Mun Paris (Champs-Élysées)

A newer star on the Paris rooftop scene, Mūn sits atop 52 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, bringing a high-energy, East-meets-West flair to elevated dining. This trendy restaurant and lounge is a creation of Paris Society (the group behind other famed spots like Monsieur Bleu), and it shows in Mūn’s carefully crafted ambiance. Stepping out onto Mūn’s terrace feels like entering a vegetal paradise spread above the Champs-Élysées.

Lush plants and even small trees are everywhere, intermingled with wooden lattices and softly glowing lanterns, creating the sense of a secret Asian garden floating over Paris. By day the space is sun-drenched and green; by night, it transforms into an intimate hideaway with twinkling lights and a DJ-curated soundtrack of lounge and downtempo beats.

The views are phenomenal: from this seventh-floor perch on Chanel’s historic building, you have a direct line of sight to the Eiffel Tower in one direction and Sacré-Cœur perched on Montmartre in another. Indoors, Mūn’s design continues the journey – there’s an opulent Asian-inspired décor with rich fabrics, ornate screens, and dimmed golden lighting, meant to evoke Tintin’s Blue Lotus and the glamour of the Orient Express in one go.

The crowd here is the very definition of fashionable: you’ll rub shoulders with chic Parisians, international travelers in the know, and even the occasional celebrity or designer (Chanel’s offices are just below, after all). It’s buzzing yet exclusive – you sense you’re at one of the city’s “of-the-moment” locales. The menu at Mūn is Asian fusion with a strong Japanese leaning: think top-notch sushi and sashimi from a deluxe sushi bar, creative maki rolls, black cod in miso, and indulgent Wagyu beef plates.

It’s the kind of food that’s meant to be shared and savored slowly, aligning with the restaurant’s social vibe. Cocktails are equally imaginative, often incorporating Asian spirits or ingredients like yuzu or sake, and there’s an impressive selection of sake and Japanese whisky.

Mūn manages to strike a balance between being trendy and truly tasteful – it’s not just about the scene, but the entire sensory experience. Dining or having drinks here feels like being in a luxurious clubhouse on top of Paris, where East and West, garden and city, all converge against a glittering skyline.

Creatively Designed Summer Pop-Up Rooftops

Every summer, Paris sees a wave of ephemeral rooftop bars and pop-up terraces that inject fresh creativity into the city’s nightlife. These seasonal hotspots are often experimental, youthful, and dynamic – here one summer, gone the next, but leaving behind fond memories of Paris under the sun and stars. What makes the pop-up rooftops so fun is their themed designs and limited-time allure.

One year, you might find a rooftop transformed into a Mediterranean escape with bright bougainvillea and white-washed decor; another, a bohemian lounge with vintage caravan bar and tropical vibes. These are the kind of places that Parisian locals love to chase each summer, ticking off new sky-high venues as they appear.

For example, the top of Galeries Lafayette has hosted Créatures, a colorful vegetarian rooftop restaurant and lounge orchestrated by Chef Julien Sebbag – complete with retro 1970s patio furniture and a DJ spinning French Riviera tunes. Créatures became known for its 100% vegetarian menu and sunset aperitifs with a 360° view of Paris’s monuments.

Importantly, it was ephemeral: launched in June and wrapping up by early fall, which only made it more in demand. In 2024, a luxurious pop-up called Céleste atop the Cheval Blanc Paris hotel drew cocktail aficionados to its elegant terrace for the summer, offering bespoke drinks under a candy-striped canopy and panoramic Seine views.

Other years have seen creations like Le Jardin Suspendu (the “Hanging Garden”), a massive rooftop park filled with food trucks and music atop an expo center, or boutique hotel rooftops hosting themed nights – such as Cuban dance evenings, yoga brunches at sunrise, or even open-air cinema screenings against the Paris skyline.

These pop-ups are usually open to all but sought by many. Part of the adventure is tracking them down: often advertised on social media or word-of-mouth, and frequently without reservation options, meaning spontaneous plans and early arrivals are key.

What they all have in common is a vibrant, youthful energy – imagine clinking plastic cups of spritz on a rooftop deck decorated like a beach, or sipping a craft beer in a rooftop garden lined with string lights and art installations.

They’re perfect for casual summer evenings when the weather is fine and you want something a bit offbeat and new. While they might lack the polish of a permanent venue, they make up for it in creativity and atmosphere. And because they’re temporary, every moment spent there feels a little more special, as if you’ve discovered a fleeting treasure above the Parisian rooftops.

The Takeaway

Rooftop bars and elevated restaurants in Paris give travelers a way to enjoy the city from a fresh perspective. Seeing the skyline while dining or having a drink adds a layer of atmosphere that you cannot get at street level. Each venue offers its own blend of style, comfort, and scenery, which is why Paris rooftop bars and restaurants continue to attract both locals and visitors.

The variety of rooftop spaces also makes it easy to match the experience to your preferences. Some terraces feel lively and modern, others focus on refined dining, and many fall somewhere in between. Exploring a few different rooftops helps you understand how each location uses its view, ambiance, and menu to create a distinct atmosphere.

As you look back on your time in Paris, rooftop moments may stand out as some of the most enjoyable parts of your visit. Whether you chose a relaxed drink at sunset or a full Paris rooftop dining experience overlooking the skyline, these elevated spaces offer a simple but memorable way to appreciate the city. They combine good food, open air, and sweeping views, leaving you with a clear sense of why rooftop evenings in Paris are so popular.

FAQ

Q1. Do I need reservations for Paris rooftop bars and restaurants?
Yes. Popular venues, especially those with Eiffel Tower views, often require reservations for dinner and sunset times.

Q2. Are rooftop bars in Paris open year-round?
Some hotel rooftops stay open most of the year, but many casual rooftops and pop-ups operate only from spring to early autumn.

Q3. What is the typical dress code for Paris rooftops?
Smart casual is usually appropriate. Avoid sportswear and flip flops. Trendy or luxury venues may expect a more polished style.

Q4. Which Paris rooftops have the best Eiffel Tower views?
Girafe at Trocadéro, Monsieur Bleu, Hôtel Raphael, the Peninsula’s L’Oiseau Blanc and Le Rooftop, and several terraces near the Champs Élysées offer exceptional views.

Q5. Are rooftop bars suitable for families or only adults?
Many rooftop restaurants welcome families at lunch or early evening. Late night bar scenes tend to be more adult oriented.

Q6. How expensive are Paris rooftop venues?
Prices vary widely. Casual rooftops may offer cocktails from about 14 to 18 euros, while luxury hotels and Michelin starred venues can be much higher.

Q7. Do rooftop bars serve full meals or just drinks and snacks?
Some rooftops are primarily for drinks and small plates, while others such as Perruche, Terrass, Girafe, Monsieur Bleu, and L’Oiseau Blanc offer full dining menus.

Q8. Are there rooftop options near major shopping areas?
Yes. BHV Marais, Printemps Haussmann, and other department store rooftops offer convenient spots with panoramic views.

Q9. How can I find pop-up rooftop bars in summer?
Check hotels and department store social channels, Paris event websites, and local recommendations. Many pop-ups appear for one season only and are widely promoted online.

Q10. What is the best time to visit a rooftop bar in Paris?
Golden hour into sunset offers the best light and atmosphere, followed by the city and the Eiffel Tower illuminating after dark.