3 Parisian guinguettes to celebrate the return of spring
With the fine weather setting in and the terraces blooming, Paris is once again enjoying the pleasures of open-air partying. One of the most popular places to toast, dance or simply soak up the sun with friends are the guinguettes. Some are open all year round, others spring up in the spring, but they all share the same happy, relaxed and often slightly offbeat atmosphere. Here are three addresses to welcome the warm weather in style.
La Javelle: a waterside party
It’s a sure bet for Parisian summers. In April, La Javelle reopens its garlands and long tables on the quays of the 12th arrondissement. In an atmosphere halfway between a bohemian flea market and a designer’s market, come and share a pizza, pick up a few tapas or take part in creative workshops. And in the evening? The music kicks in, the dances begin, and your feet almost dance themselves. A veritable festive bubble on the banks of the Seine.
📍 La Javelle – 5 boulevard Poniatowski, 75012 Paris
Le Bateau El Alamein: a flower-filled terrace on the water
Moored for almost 30 years opposite the BNF, the Bateau El Alamein combines a music scene with a bucolic terrace. While the boat’s hold vibrates to the sound of young talent, it’s on the green roof, a veritable haven of peace in bloom, that Parisians come to bask. In fine weather, the terrace extends right down to the quayside, offering even more room for the sun. Ideal for a drink at the end of the day, overlooking the Seine and far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
📍 Bateau El Alamein – 10 port de la Gare, 75013 Paris
Le Pavillon des Canaux: the arty must on the canal
Housed in a former lock keeper’s house, the Pavillon des Canaux continues to attract the curious, the regulars and the creative locals. People come here to work in the bathtub, have brunch under the glass roof, or have a drink on the quay. But this hybrid venue doesn’t stop there: concerts, markets, debates and stand-up comedy enliven the days and evenings. A guinguette with a thousand faces, always alive.
📍 Pavillon des Canaux – 39 quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris
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