The roof garden/terrace of the 43 Cocktail Bar, which is based out of the ninth floor of the Notre-Dame Holiday Inn hotel, offers panoramic views over the whole of Paris, from the Sacré Coeur to the Tour Montparnasse. Open only in summer, the tropical plant-themed terrace welcomes customers from 5pm to midnight by reservation only, so think about booking at least a fortnight in advance. It’s worth it when you’re up there, as you can enjoy the gentle breeze, catch some rays and revel in how far removed you are from the bustle of the streets below. Even if it is popular, you never get the feeling of the bar being overcrowded – instead, the place is rather peaceful, attracting as it does a laid-back clientele of trendy young folk, hotel tourists and couples updating their Instagram accounts with selfies and stunning views of the Eiffel tower.
The menu is predictably expensive (a glass of wine is around €12, bottles €50-€90, bottles of beer, softs and fruit juices around €7) – it’s wiser to opt for the cocktails, more reasonably priced at between €12-€17, and particularly the ‘DIY’ option, which involves telling the bar staff your preferred spirit and then letting them improvise.