Outdoor living in Paris: the capital’s best floating bars and restaurants

No need to go to Brittany or the Basque Coast to feel like you’re on holiday this summer.Head instead of the banks of the Seine or the Bassin the la Villette, and climb aboard one of Paris’s floating péniches.  These docked barges are a summer staple in the capital, each offering their own unique brand of fun. Read on for some of our favorites.

Bateau El Alamein

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Bateau El Alamein has been docked at the foot of the BnF for 20 years now. This floating garden boasts strawberry and raspberry plants, as well as olive, chestnut, and fig trees, that are sure to comfort anyone looking for a bucolic escape in the city.  Head here for a delicious meal concocted by the house chef while you enjoy any one of the many concerts scheduled by the staff of music-lovers.

Bateau El Alamein, Quai François Mauriac – 13th

Les Maquereaux

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This restaurant bar offers oysters from Brittany, whelks, charcuterie from Maison Dubernet, smoked fish from Ile d’Yeu, and creamy burrata, accompanied by cocktails, thirst-quenching rosés and draught beers, all at very affordable prices. Add to this a healthy dose of beautiful scenery (with a view of Ile Saint-Louis) and a refreshing mix of DJ sets, and you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect at Les Maquereaux.

Les Maquereaux, Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville – 4th

L’eau et les rêves

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Although its hold is full of books and treasures of all kinds, guests can nestle in with a good book in the café area or the brand new terrace. L’Eau et les Rêves is a bookshop specializing in nature and gardens, run by Cyrille Bruneau, a lover of the botanical world.

L’eau et les rêves, Quai de l’Oise – 19e

L’Antipode

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L’Antipode has been floating on the Bassin de la Villette since 2002. At the helm of this barge is la compagnie Abricadabra, a theater company presenting their concerts and shows for guests of all ages right on board.  In the café-restaurant, L’Antipode offers products that are fresh and organic for the most part, sourced from fair trade and small producers, like Breizh Cola, a Breton Coca-Cola, and artisanal beers that change regularly, like the blanche with hibiscus.

Péniche Antipode, Facing 55, quai de la Seine – 19e

La Bougeotte

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La Bougeotte is a one of a kind wine bar and wine cellar that offers guests some great local products, as well as lots of live entertainment options, including concerts, theatre company performances, and exhibits.  The sunset on the water, however, is probably our favorite thing to watch.  La Bougeotte one of Paris’s best places to for oysters, especially on Sundays during their seafood brunch.

Péniche La Bougeotte, Opposite 25, quai de l’Oise – 19e

Polpo Plage

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Food & drink huts, large tables made from wooden pallets, parasols, and deckchairs… Polpo Plage is the perfect place to go to feel like you’re on holiday without having to leave Paris. The lobster roll with guacamole, lime, and spices, is an absolute must, closely followed by the ceviche, or the grilled fish, all to be enjoyed while sipping a Spritz and sticking your feet in the sand.

Polpo Plage, 47, quai Charles-Pasqua – Levallois-Perret

Source: Les plus belles péniches pour boire un verre les pieds dans l’eau