With your feet in the sand and the Eiffel Tower in view: these 13 terraces along the Seine will make Paris feel like a vacation this summer
There have never been so many or such a wide variety of riverside terraces along the Seine in Paris. This summer, the capital’s riverbanks are transforming into true vacation getaways, featuring festive houseboats, gourmet dining spots, and open-air café vibes. Here are 13 spots to check out right away so you can soak up the sun with your feet in the water.
The quays of the 13th arrondissement: the beating heart of Paris’s summer terraces
The Port de la Gare has emerged as the liveliest area ofthe summer. As a result, several distinctive venues have opened there, each with its own unique character. It’s easy to go from having an aperitif on a terrace to dinner, and then on to a night of live music.
PLAT/FORM (14, Port de la Gare – 13th arrondissement) is a restaurant that has it all. Chloé Charles, a contestant on season 12 of Top Chef, is in charge of the kitchen. On the menu: vegetable fritters, freshly ground beef tartare, mussels and fries, and the catch of the day, all accompanied by live music every night and street art.
In addition, Petit Bain (7, Port de la Gare – 13th arrondissement) offers two distinct atmospheres in one: a concert hall downstairs for established and emerging artists, a rooftop terrace with a bar and dining area upstairs, and a terrace along the riverbanks in the summer where you can relax on lounge chairs. The venue is open Monday through Sunday from noon to midnight, and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
“To feel like you’re on vacation, you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world—all you need to do is find a terrace by the water.”
OFF Seine and Chouchou: two must-visit spots on Quai d’Austerlitz
OFF Seine (86 Quai d’Austerlitz – 13th arrondissement) has become a go-to spot for Parisian floating terraces. It’s the perfect place to sit down for lunch, dinner, or just a drink, with the Seine as a backdrop. The venue also features a hotel with 54 rooms and four suites for those who want to extend their stay.
Right next door, Chouchou sur Seine (86 Quai d’Austerlitz – 13th arrondissement) has set up a pop-up terrace with the feel of a southern French open-air café. Olive trees, laurel trees, lanterns, azure-striped deck chairs, and Vichy-check tablecloths: the atmosphere instantly feels like vacation. Open-mic nights, piano jukeboxes, blind tests, DJ sets, and stand-up comedy nights keep the place lively all summer long.
Also located in this same port, Le Bateau Phare (3, Port de la Gare – 13th arrondissement), formerly known as Batofar, is back after a five-year hiatus. People come here for organic, locally sourced tapas during the week, and for shows, live music, and club nights on the weekends. On Fridays, the boat stays open until 5 a.m.
- PLAT/FORM: Bistronomic cuisine and street art at the foot of the BnF (13th arrondissement)
- OFF Seine: Floating terrace with a 54-room hotel (13th arrondissement)
- Chouchou sur Seine: Pop-up open-air café with DJ sets and stand-up comedy (13th arrondissement)
- Le Bateau Phare: Back After a 5-Year Closure, Tapas and Nightlife (13th Arrondissement)
- Petit Bain: rooftop terrace, concerts, and lounge chairs along the waterfront (13th arrondissement)
Art, music, and fine dining along the banks of the Seine
Le Quai de la Photo (9, Port de la Gare – 13th arrondissement) is a floating art center dedicated to contemporary photography that opened on the Left Bank in 2023. In addition to free exhibitions, it features an outdoor terrace with two bars, dishes to share, and excursions on small, 100% electric boats via its integrated marina.
In addition, Le Son de la Terre (2, Port de Montebello – 5th arrondissement) is a glass-walled barge moored at Quai Montebello, across from the Notre-Dame neighborhood. Jazz and funk performances take place there from Wednesday through Sunday. On the terrace, you can enjoy 100% homemade, seasonal dishes with your feet practically in the water.
For its part, La Nouvelle Seine (Montebello Pier – 5th arrondissement) offers a direct view of Notre-Dame de Paris from its summer terrace. Here, you can enjoy the latest culinary offerings before heading down to the hold for the evening show. The venue is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Sena and Riviera Fuga: a journey without leaving the docks
Sena (7, Voie Georges Pompidou – 4th arrondissement) pays homage to 1960s Italy, right across from Île Saint-Louis. The concept spans three floors: a sunny terrace, a rooftop, and a Spritz bar. The venue is open Monday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., except on Thursdays.
Riviera Fuga (10, Port des Invalides – 7th arrondissement) transports its guests between Saint-Tropez and Tuscany. Chef Daniel Ortiz Maldonado serves Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine there, with a view of the Alexandre III Bridge and the Grand Palais. Open since June 2023, the restaurant has a rating of 4.8/5.
Urban beaches and party boats: riverside terraces along the Seine for everyone
In Levallois-Perret, Polpo Brasserie (47 Quai Charles Pasqua) is reopening its beachfront terrace with a new marina for electric boats. With your feet in the soft sand, enjoy a lobster roll with guacamole, ceviche, oysters, or Chef Yoni Saada’s specialties. Umbrellas, lounge chairs, and food & drink cabanas complete the picture.
Les Maquereaux operates its bar-restaurant barge on both banks of the river. On the Right Bank (14, Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville – 4th arrondissement), you’ll find a terrace on the docks, a private pool, and a beach-style menu: Breton oysters, whelks, fish and chips, burrata, and charcoal-grilled marinated chicken. Left Bank (36, quai d’Austerlitz – 13th arrondissement), the spot is open on Fridays from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM and has a rating of 4.8/5.
On the other hand, for those who want to combine wellness with a party atmosphere, Annette K (Port de Javel Bas – 15th arrondissement) remains a standout option. This houseboat in the 15th arrondissement offers a gym, swimming pool, sauna, coffee shop, restaurant, and open-air café all in one place. In the summer, the quays come alive with a terrace area, two bars, and snack stands, offering breathtaking views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower to admire the sunset. These terraces along the Seine near Javel thus offer a rare respite in the city.
From the floating art installations at Quai de la Photo to the open-air cafés of Chouchou sur Seine, not to mention the urban beaches at Polpo, Paris’s riverside terraces have something for everyone this summer. Whether you’re looking for a lively spot, a gourmet dining experience, or simply a lounge chair facing the water, the capital’s riverbanks have something to offer everyone. These waterfront spots make the terraces along the Seine one of the best ways to experience Paris in the summer without a plane ticket.
