How about taking advantage of the Indian summer to bask in the sun on a perched roof? France's cities are never more beautiful than from above, in the autumn, when gardens and monuments are bathed in soft light. For suspended moments and evenings in seventh heaven under the stars, take to the skies with our selection of the most aerial terraces in France.
Most secret: Officine, Lyon
L'Officine, Lyon, France
In the heart of the Presqu'รฎle district, the Officine cocktail bar on the rooftop of the recently renovated Grand Hรดtel-Dieu is a well-kept secret. Itโs perched 17 meters above the majestic, vaulted rooms and stained-glass windows of this legendary hotel, renowned for well-being (Cinq Mondes Spa), shopping and gastronomy. Heritage lovers will adore the cocktail bar with a large terrace. Nestled above the restaurant Le Grand Rรฉfectoire, directly in front of the central dome of this monumental building which is also home to the 5* InterContinental hotel, itโs the perfect place to enjoy a cosy atmosphere on a historic perch. And at night itโs even more special when reached via the wide halls of the hotel, its courtyards, and beautifully lit gardens.
Most friendly: Nลช in Lille, Northern France
The first and largest rooftop bar and restaurant in the capital city of the Hauts-de-France region opened in 2021 at the top of Swam, a contemporary style complex which includes shops, offices and leisure activities. Opposite the Euralille shopping center, between the cityโs two train stations, itโs at Swam that youโll discover the impressive Nลซ (pronounced โnouโ) with breath-taking views over Lilleโs skyline and Matisse Park. Enjoy the generous cuisine of chef Maxime Schelstraete โ a taste of the good life. Make the most of the Lille3000 cultural season (a fabulous Lille-wide art festival held every three years with art in the street, museums, galleries, public buildings and even shops) or simply revel and relax as you enjoy the famous northern hospitalityโฆ
Most refined: Tout Paris in Paris
Is seventh heaven at the top of the iconic Samaritaine building? Yes, definitely! Discover one of the most Parisian department stores, recently given a complete makeover after being closed for 15 years. This temple of chic-shopping is encased in an elegant glass faรงade, and itโs here that the Cheval Blanc hotel collection has chosen a sparkling setting for its first urban venture of four restaurants and bars. On the 7th floor, the Tout-Paris brasserie has an extraordinary 650mยฒ terrace with a charming, shaded garden providing cinematic views over the river Seine and the cityโs most beautiful monuments. Gaze over Pont Neuf and the rooftops of Paris, from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower via Notre-Dame and the colonnade of the Louvre. Paris, laid before you, basks in the the off season......
Tout-Paris, rooftop restaurants and bar at the Samaritaine, Paris
Most intimate: La Terrasse du Fesch in Ajaccio, Corsica
In September, after the tourists leave, is a great time to enjoy the many charms of Corsica, its crystal-clear waters, and enchanting coves. Enhance your visit and enjoy panoramic views over the beautiful Gulf of Ajaccio with a stop on the terrace of the Hotel Fesch&Spa. On a bustling pedestrian street in the historic center, just two minutes from the famous Fesch Museum (a must-see with its sublime collection of Italian paintings), you canโt help but be moved by the sight of the Mediterranean seen from this rooftop paradise. From breakfast through to dinner under the stars, the views of Corsica from above create memories that youโll cherish foreverโฆ
Most cinematic: Belle Plage in Cannes, Cรดte d'Azur
Gently waving palm trees, the iridescent blue of the Mediterranean sea, and in the background the outline of the lovely Lรฉrins islands, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat in the bay of Cannes, make the view from the spectacular high-altitude bar in the hotel Belle Plage an absolute winner. Situated on the 8th floor of the 5* hotel, this is the latest addition to many elegant offerings in Cannes. Floating between sky and sea on the Cรดte d'Azur, this rooftop cocktail bar is the perfect place to enjoy the last of the summer sun โ itโs as pretty as a film setโฆ
Most relaxed: the Roof Top du Lez in Montpellier, Occitanie
Itโs an Indian Summer in Montpellier as usualโฆ Just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, enjoy the best of both worlds combining beach time and city walks through the alleys of the Ecusson โ the historic city centre โ which wind around the legendary Place de la Comรฉdie. But thereโs even more to this lovely cityโฆ Along the banks of the river Lez, where the Lez Market and its gourmet food halls, food trucks, second-hand dealers and petanque courts charm visitors, the festive Roof Top du Lez is THE trendy meeting place. With three dining areas and 1200mยฒ of outdoor terraces decorated in exuberant style, the Toi, Toit mon Toit, on the top floor, feels like a giant treehouse. And in this lush green setting, sipping a delicious ice-cold cocktail as you take in the 360ยฐ panorama as far as the mountain of Pic Saint-Loup, youโll experience a true โwowโ moment.
Most starred: LโAstronome in Mulhouse, Alsace (Grand-Est)
In Mulhouse, Alsace, the National Automobile Museum - Schlumpf Collection, housed in a former textile mill transformed into a display centre for more than 400 exceptional cars (the most beautiful collection in the world). And while youโre there, get to know the capital of the Haut-Rhin department. Discover its famous street-art and its first rooftop venue, L'Astronome (the Astronomer), a restaurant-bar with its landscaped terrace of 300mยฒ on the 3rd floor of an emblematic building in downtown Mulhouse. The new gourmet addition offers Italian bistronomy in the heart of the city overlooking the Saint-รtienne temple and the Tour de lโEurope. LโAstronome takes its name from the nearby Lambert column, erected in memory of the Mulhouse-born mathematician and astronomer Johann Heinrich Lambert.
Most new wave: L'Olatua in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Autumn is the most beautiful season to discover the Basque Country. In Espelette, strings of bright red peppers festoon the facades of houses, while on the coast lie the refreshing waters of the Atlantic ocean. In Biarritz, take your time while climbing the 248 steps of the famous lighthouse to spot the surfers, or watch the waves that crash on the legendary Rock of the Virgin. At sunset, the rooftop of LโOlotua Biarritz is the perfect place to be. Facing the Ocean, overlooking the Atalaye gardens, the views of the cliffs, the flamboyant Villa Belza and the Grande Plage are stunning, not to mention the generous tapas adapted to the style of the Basque country.
Most central: the rooftop restaurant-bar L'Incontournable in Bourges, Centre-Val de Loire
Fall in love with the Printemps de Bourges, an unmissable festival of contemporary music which takes place every April. Discover the beautiful capital of Berry, its medieval district, Saint-Etienne cathedral and sumptuous Palais Jacques Cลur. And in autumn, when the vineyards surrounding Sancerre, just a corkโs pop away, blaze gold and red, enjoy the cityโs charms. See Bourges from above to truly appreciate the cityโs layout - thereโs nowhere better than rooftop of L'Incontournable restaurant-bar with its inviting soft sofas, creative floral displays, and inspirational menu. Itโs perfect for relaxing as you watch the sun set over the historic centre of Bourgesโฆ
Most panoramic: Le 360 bar in Macon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comtรฉ
Take a stroll amongst the golden-leaved vineyards of Mรขconnais and Beaujolais. Or discover the traboules (historic passages), courtyards, ancient houses, and mansions of Mรขcon, the southernmost town of Bourgogne-Franche-Comtรฉ. In the ultra-historic centre, you canโt miss the Hotel & Spa Panorama 360 housed in the monumental former Hรดtel des Postes (post office building). Head to the sky-high rooftop to discover the glass domed Le 360 bar with two large terraces from where, as the name suggests, you will have breath-taking views over the city, the Roche de Solutrรฉ, the river Saรดne and its colourful quays, and even Mont Blanc on a clear day!
Most theatrical: La Rรฉserve in Angers, Pays de la Loire
You donโt really need another reason to linger in historic Angers. Itโs regularly at the top of the list of best cities in France where life is good. But one of the reasons is to enjoy the sweetness of autumn at La Rรฉserve. Perched on the top of the Le Quai cultural venue, the brasserie is ideal for a relaxing break. Take the panoramic elevator to the 5th floor to enjoy the most beautiful views of the Maine, a tributary of the river Loire, the magnificent Saint-Maurice Cathedral and the castle of King Renรฉ, an incredibly impressive monument with 17 two-tone towers formed from slate and tufa (the local limestone). Youโre sure to love the creative seasonal cuisine served in this little piece of cloud 9!
Most oceanic: Sainte-Barbe Hotel & Spa, in Le Conquet, Brittany
In Le Conquet, close to the city of Brest, in Finistรจre, the Sainte-Barbe is a renowned hotel. This long-abandoned jewel on the unspoiled and wild coast of Iroise has now reopened after an incredible renovation. It puts you in mind of a large contemporary ship, all glass and concrete, suspended on the side of a rock above the ocean, a spectacular figurehead. Set on a promontory, overlooking the islands of Molรจne and Ouessant, the 4* Le Sainte-Barbe Hotel & Spa Le Conquet โ M Gallery has breath-taking views from 34 rooms โ all of which have picture windows and French doors - and its restaurant La Corniche. Cast away the stresses of everyday life and breathe in the sea air on the roof top terrace. When the sun sets in the west itโs like a little bit of paradise as you watch the luminous ballet of boats twinkling in the bayโฆ
The most gourmet, โLe Roufโ in Rouen, Normandy
Le Rouf, Rooftop, Allรฉe Franรงois Mitterrand, Rouen, France
Visiting Rouen? Head to Hangar 105 on the quays of the Seine for a different kind of culinary... and cultural experience. It's here, in the third of a new 18,000 mยฒ complex housing the Immersive Viking City and a bookshop-cafรฉ, that Rouf was born. A vast loft with six restaurants and a rooftop where you can soak up the sun with a view of the banks of the Seine and Rouen Cathedral, a listed historic monument. Gastronomic or bistronomic meals, all-you-can-eat grills, buffets of local dishes, traditional cuisine... Each area has its own atmosphere and specialities!
By Pascale Filliรขtre
Journalist-traveller. I often voyage to the end of the world to explore what France offers... just next door. [email protected]
