The Most Beautiful Terraces in Paris

Le Pavillon de la Reine, a magnificent residence on Place des Vosges, pays homage to Anne of Austria, the former Queen of France and wife of Louis XIII who lived within its walls. In the restaurant, supervised by Mathieu Pacaud, the kitchen revisits the classics with intelligence and talent; the produce is of the utmost quality, resulting in an abundance of delicious natural flavors. An excellent time is had by all, whether in the intimate, romantic setting of the lounge/library or on the superb, verdant courtyard garden in fine weather.

This is perhaps the most attractive of all the terraces in our selection. Tucked away from view (a rarity in this neighborhood), it is an extension of a sumptuous 18th-century mansion with the air of a small palace. Chef Mathieu Pacaud embraces the history of the place and puts his personal stamp on it, offering dishes like grilled turbot with spring vegetables, basil, and saffron-infused bouillabaisse, or rack and saddle of suckling lamb with shellfish and samphire.

At the heart of the famous Two MICHELIN Key hotel Le Royal Monceau on Avenue Hoche, this restaurant occupies an elegantly designed, glass-roofed building, which opens out onto a delightful terrace surrounding an attractive pond. It's the ideal setting for savoring the fine transalpine cuisine of chef duo Oliver Piras and Alessandra Del Favero.

In summer, the restaurant's dining room opens out onto an enclosed garden, sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Champs-Élysées. This is the perfect place to enjoy the cuisine of Chef Niko Romito, who reinterprets classic Italian dishes such as veal chop Milanese style.

A former hunting lodge belonging to Napoleon III, La Grande Cascade and its terrace are bursting with charm. Adjacent to a glass-roofed dining room, diners can swap the buzzing urban ambience for a touch of the countryside in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. The cooking itself shows a mastery of flavor and fine craft, proving to be an exquisite match for the setting.

On the fifth floor of the BHV department store, behind a mysterious green curtain, lies a beautiful panoramic terrace overlooking the Hôtel de Ville. Chef Michel Roth has designed a gourmet seasonal menu that is a fitting accompaniment for such incredible vistas.

This colorful brasserie, designed by Peter Marino, is nestled on the seventh floor of the Cheval Blanc hotel, which has been awarded Three MICHELIN Keys. Le Tout-Paris also boasts a superb terrace overlooking the Seine and the Left Bank, where you can sample immaculately constructed dishes from Chef William Bequin, who formerly worked at La Vague d'Or and at Espadon under Nicolas Salle.

Perched on the roof of the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, this all-glass restaurant, with both an interior and exterior designed by Jean Nouvel, nods to the nearby Eiffel Tower. When the weather's fine, the rotunda dining room opens out onto a terrace with magnificent views of the City of Light.

When it comes to Paris locations, it's hard to beat this one. Nestled in the Palais de Tokyo, the superb dining room has an art deco style with a gray, green, and gold color scheme. Its terrace tries to go one better, overlooking the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. The food is not to be outshone, however, proving to be flavorsome and sophisticated.

Offering the feel of the countryside in the middle of Paris, the winter garden of this Yannick Alléno restaurant transforms during the warmer months into a terrace in the middle of the Champs-Élysées gardens. Needless to say, you're in for a treat!