Where to refresh in Paris: 3 addresses that are a change from the usual iced latte

Looking for a cool, stylish break in the capital? Here are three Parisian addresses where you can refresh yourself in style, with original ice creams, signature cafés and thoughtful atmospheres.

Girotti Paris: artisanal Roman ice cream

It’s impossible to walk past Girotti Paris without stopping. Opened by the family of actor Terence Hill, this ice cream parlour in the Marais boasts home-made ice cream in the Italian tradition, but with sometimes unexpected flavours (lemon-basil, fig-almond or mascarpone-hazelnut).

The sorbets are strong and not too sweet, perfect for a mid-day break.
The place isn’t trying to seduce Instagram: it prioritizes flavor over decoration, and it works.

📍Girotti Paris, 120 Bd Raspail, 75006 Paris
🕒 Daily, 12-20h

Louise: the pastel ice cream boutique in the 4th arrondissement

Behind its pastel façade in the 4ᵉ arrondissement, Louise doesn’t just take care of its decor: it boasts genuine artisan know-how, inherited from its workshop in Lézignan-Corbières, in the Aude region.
Each flavor is developed by a Master Artisan Glacier, using traditional methods: slow maturation in vats, manual work on textures, infusion of natural ingredients (vanilla beans, fruit purées, whole hazelnuts…).

Special mention for the “Honey-pignon” cup or the orange blossom poppy, very thirst-quenching and not very sweet.
This is a popular spot for locals, but still discreet in terms of influence.

📍Louise Glaces Beaubourg, 117 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris
🕒 Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-7pm

JJ Hings: the cool soft-serve of the canal

A new address on rue Bichat for JJ Hings, where chef Julia Bell (ex-Ten Belles) offers artisanal ice creams full of ideas: soft-serve with sweet corn and caramel-bretzel, nectarine sorbet and natural fizz, or fromage blanc-lavender ice cream and apricot compote.

All served in a crispy spelt cone, made every morning.

Take away to the Canal Saint-Martin or enjoy on the yellow benches in front of the store.
Our favorite: the Float (€7), two balls dipped in a homemade peach-lemon soda.

📍JJ Hings Ice Cream, 46 Rue Bichat, 75010 Paris
🕒 Every day except Tuesday, 10am-6pm

Three addresses, zero banality

These three spots show that refreshing yourself in Paris doesn’t mean taking the easy way out. With their cutting-edge gelato, homemade iced infusions and no-nonsense decor, the pleasure is in the detail.

And for a variety of sweet treats, take a look at our selection of pastry shops in Paris or gourmet pots to try out after a shopping session.