The 10 Best Terraces in Paris
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| It's Terrace Season in Paris |
A friend
of mine recently moved to Paris. Seeing her fabulous pictures on Instagram and
reading her insightful blog entries has brought back so many memories
of the wonderful three years I spent living in the City of Light. Recently, she
posted a photo of my favorite terrace, and I was overcome with nostalgia. How I
long to relive those glorious days!
On other
Instagram feeds, I see green returning to the city’s famous square trees, buds
popping throughout the public gardens, and luscious ivy crawling the stone walls.
I can’t help but remember all the sunny days I sat on the terraces of Paris – alone, or
with friends, or with family – looking out at the world as it passed me by.
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| Wine and Chocolate Always Go Together on the Paris Terrace |
I’m not
embarrassed to say I was a bit of a terrace slut during my years in Paris. I made my way around every arrondissement, sipping champagne, rosé, beer, cocktails, and
espressos. I acquired some favorite haunts, of course.
Here are
my Top Ten Terraces in Paris. I hope you will find them and enjoy them as I
once did. If you do, please tag me in your Instagram photos @shazzle99. For more useful information on traveling to Paris, click here.
Pour un Café:
2 Place de
la Contrescarpe
75005
Paris, France
+33 1 43
26 51 26
Café
Delmas is the perfect mix of old and new. Yesterday, Papa Ernest enjoyed his coffees
here while he contemplated literature. Today, students from the nearby Sorbonne
congregate for cocktails. Located in the Latin Quarter on an ancient
cobblestone square, this charming terrace anchors the Rue Mouffetard, one of
the oldest market streets in Paris. Come early and enjoy the terrace with an
espresso, a croissant, and your favorite book. When you leave, look for the
placards marking Hemingway’s apartments, one around the block to the left, and
the other around the block to the right.
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| Espresso at Café Delmas in the Latin Quarter of Paris |
40 rue
Cler
75007
Paris, France
+33 1 47
05 00 53
Café
Central is a lovely place to relax on the terrace with a café crème. If you
visit during a sunny afternoon, enjoy people-watching over your bol de glace (Berthillon!).
Here, the youthful waiters are dressed in classic black suspenders, but don’t
be fooled. They are trés hip, sporting modern hairstyles and slinging their
English like a weapon, they will entertain you while they hustle. Café Central
lives up to its name as the central point on the famous Rue Cler. Bring your
camera, because this charismatic street is lined with amazing shops and a
bird’s eye view of the Eiffel Tower.
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| There's Never a Bad View of the Eiffel Tower |
Pour un Verre de Rosé:
2 Rue de
l’Abreuvoir
75018
Paris, France
+33 1 42
64 49 62
Can there
be a more fitting place to drink rosé than a café painted entirely pink? It’s
rumored Picasso hatched the idea for its colorful façade, and I don’t doubt it.
Located on a quiet cobblestone street in Montmartre, La Maison Rose is almost
entirely terrace, owning two sides of the tiny pavement with metal tables and
chairs. Claim your spot on a sunny afternoon to enjoy a glass of rosé while jealous
tourists meander past.
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| La Maison Rose in Montmartre |
8 Place
Victor Hugo
75116
Paris, France
+33 1 53
64 24 00
Snag a
table for two on the partially-enclosed terrace during lunch on a Sunday, and I
promise you won’t be disappointed. Located in the posh 16th
Arrondissement, Le Scossa entertains local families for afternoon “supper”
along with discreet visitors (like Bono!), who prefer to nibble a la carte. The
Fois Gras is my favorite in the city – or at least the one I’ve ordered most
frequently – and the Omelette Bio au Compté will melt in your mouth. You can’t
go wrong with an American style cheeseburger, but be prepared to pay for it.
While you’re at it, order the whole damn
bottle of rosé, because trust me on this.
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| The Fois Gras on the Enclosed Terrace at Le Scossa is TO DIE FOR! |
25 Place
des Vosges
75003
Paris, France
+33 1 48
87 94 07
The Place
des Vosges is certainly one of the most gorgeous squares in all of Paris. On
sunny days, the entire population of the Marais seems to congregate here to
enjoy the fresh air. While there are several cafés along the perimeter of the
park, Carette is one of the classiest and most popular. Sit back, be pampered,
and watch the world go by.
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| Rosé is perfect on the Terrace at Carette |
Jardin des
Tuileries
75001
Paris, France
+33 1 42
61 22 14
While the
Tuileries Gardens are a bit of a tourist destination, the locals also can’t
keep away from this entirely outdoor café on hot, sunny days. There is nothing
better than perching here with a glass of rosé (on ice, s’il vous plait!) and
eavesdropping on your neighbors, who are visiting Paris from every corner of
the earth. Of course, it may take some time before you scope out an empty
table, but it’s well worth it for the beautiful views of the famous fountains,
colorful flowers, and square trees in this majestic park.
Pour un Verre de Vin Rouge:
Le
Bonaparte
42 Rue
Bonaparte
75006
Paris, France
+33 1 43
26 42 81
Tell me,
is there a single Francophile who hasn’t fantasized about sipping wine on the
famous terrace of Les Deux Magots? Unless you’re ready to empty your wallet and
you love surrounding yourself with tourists, I’m here to say: Skip it. Do visit
the ancient Place Saint-Germain des Prés, of course! Snap your photos of the
storied café honoring two maggots, pop into the oldest church in Paris, and then take a cue from the locals. Secure
your spot on the terrace at Le Bonaparte. From here, you can absorb the entire
square, eavesdrop on French gossip, and feel like a boss when your check comes.
Me? I’ll order a nice glass of red wine and bask in the sun for as long as possible
before a local gives me the boot.
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| Wine and Cheese is perfect for the Terrace |
Pour un Coup de Champagne:
4 Rue des
Petits Champs
75002
Paris, France
+33 1 49
27 00 50
This
stunning café is ideally located at the entrance of the Gallery Vivienne, one
of the most historic and beautiful covered passageways in Paris. Many
photographers have used its charming sidewalk terrace to capture the love
between newly married and engaged couples, because it simply oozes romance. To
linger here with a bottle of champagne epitomizes everything burning and
passionate and lustful about Paris. Be sure to bring a lover.
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| Gallery Vivienne |
1 Rue du
Pont Louis-Philippe
75004
Paris, France
+33 1 42
78 31 64
Chez
Julien was founded in 1780. It is registered as a historical monument in
France. It flanks one of the most spectacular cobblestone streets in all of
Paris. And yet, I had walked past it for years – assuming it was ripe with tourists – before one day after my husband and I had flâneured a dozen miles
and needed to rest our feet. We landed here on the terrace of Chez Julien,
where we ordered a bottle of champagne. Our waitress graced us with a
magnificent presentation, all silent popping and label showing and towel wiping
and ice bucket maneuvering, and before we knew it, we had bubblied our
afternoon away. Thus became a weekend tradition on the loveliest of days. We’ve
brought guests here as well, because we simply couldn’t keep it to ourselves.
The experience is quintessentially French: slow, romantic, and beautiful.
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| Chez Julien |
Pour une Bière:
72 Rue
Lamarck
75018
Paris, France
+33 1 42
62 01 62
To me, a
seat on the terrace of Le Refuge provides one of the most iconic views of
Paris. Sit back and enjoy your beer while commuters stream in and out of the
Lamarck-Cauaincourt Metro station across the street. Surround yourself with
locals, knowing the tourists don’t often find this backside of Montmartre. Then
(discreetly) point your camera lens at the splendid pedestrian staircases above
and below you. You can easily waste away an afternoon at Le Refuge… and I have!
If you are thinking of visiting Paris this year, this link provides lots of good deals and information.
If you are thinking of visiting Paris this year, this link provides lots of good deals and information.
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| The View from the Terrace at Le Refuge |
Have I missed your favorite terrace? There are over 12,000 food establishments in Paris. If you have a suggestion for an unforgettable terrace, may I ask you to indulge my FOMO and leave it in the comments below? Cheers, Mes Amies!
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| Coca Cola in a traditional glass bottle is also a popular drink on the terraces of Paris! |
Also, Chez Plumeau in Montmartre! We've been there many times :)
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