The luxury criterion

Set course for the South: bar-hop across France and dine in Provence on the Lancaster’s patio.

Summer is in full swing at the Lancaster, and with it that gentle vacation high that makes you want to slow down. This July, let the lavender-scented air and sun-kissed dishes from our terrace—transformed into a true Provençal patio—carry you away for a cocktail with CopperBay’s new menu, a genuine tour of France through spirits, and live the Parisian summer to the rhythm of exclusive festive events, where haute cuisine meets soothing melodies.

At Alex's: an apéritif terrace on the banks of the Seine, with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

At Alex’s, you’ll find a spot at the foot of the Pont Alexandre III, with an aperitif terrace open daily, offering sharing boards, cocktails, a view of the Seine, and a summery vibe facing the Eiffel Tower.

Langosteria: the air-conditioned rooftop and its terrace overlooking Paris

Langosteria’s air-conditioned rooftop and its panoramic terrace offer a spectacular view of Paris, perched on the seventh floor of the Cheval Blanc, in the former Samaritaine (1st). We put it to the test in the middle of the 2026 heatwave, and here’s what we learned.

Le Flow: Paris's seasonal river barge with a rooftop and a nightclub on the Seine.

Flow in Paris, a summertime barge docked at Port des Invalides between the Pont Alexandre III and the Invalides, with a terrace on the Seine, Cozy by Flow rooftop, Mikuna-branded street food, DJ sets and a club to extend the summer evenings against Paris’s iconic monuments.

A grand masquerade ball for an immersive evening in the heart of the Belle Époque at the Jacquemart-André Museum

To celebrate a century and a half of existence, the Jacquemart-André Museum is hosting a Belle Époque masquerade ball—an immersive evening modeled on the grand receptions of high society in the 19th century—on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Dinner and Eiffel Tower fireworks from the rooftop of the Hôtel Marignan Champs-Elysées

On July 13, 2026, the Marignan Champs-Élysées Hotel will temporarily open its Marignan Eiffel Suite for an exclusive evening with a view of the Eiffel Tower fireworks, musical entertainment, magic, and a dinner conceived by Chef Makoto Nakada.

Restaurant Cléo: a secret terrace and gourmet cuisine in the heart of the 7th arrondissement

This summer, head to Cléo, the 7th arrondissement’s best-kept secret. Behind its discreet façade lies a leafy terrace where you can savour the contemporary fine dining of chef Alexandre Semperé, just minutes from Les Invalides and the Pont Alexandre III.

Aqua Kyoto: Fireworks over the Eiffel Tower on the 13th, followed by a brunch with a view of the Bastille Day parade the next day.

To admire the July 13, 2026 fireworks in Paris, Aqua Kyoto Paris is hosting an exceptional rooftop evening with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower, paired with a Japanese menu specially crafted for the occasion. And the next day, it’s brunch with a view of the military parade!

Chef’s pizza, exceptional gelato... the terrace at the Bvlgari Hotel Paris goes Italian for the summer.

Exceptional Roman pizzas, artisanal ice creams and Mediterranean flavors... for a terrace lunch or a sunny gelato break, the Bvlgari Hotel Paris transports its guests to Italy with L’Estate Italiana, its gourmet celebration of the bright season.

The Peninsula Paris Rooftop Terrace 2026, the sky-high bar with exceptional views.

The Peninsula Paris rooftop reopens for summer 2026 with L'Heure Dorée, its terrace perched in the heart of the 16th arrondissement. You go up there for an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower and one of the capital’s most stunning sunsets, overlooking the city’s rooftops.

Le Grand Meaulnes: Alain-Fournier's novel adapted for the Mois Molière festival in Versailles

Le Grand Meaulnes, adaptation of Alain-Fournier's novel by Emmanuel Besnault and the Compagnie L’Éternel Été, is presented in the Cour de l’Hôtel des Affaires étrangères in Versailles, as part of the Mois Molière, on June 20, 2026. This new production brings to the stage the journey of Augustin Meaulnes, tracing a path from adolescence to the ache of unrequited love and the passage into adulthood.

We checked out this secret Italian spot tucked up against the Château de Fontainebleau, with a terrace and a brunch offering.

Nestled in the inner courtyard of the Hôtel de Cavoye, just a stone’s throw from the Château de Fontainebleau, Gina Trattoria serves hearty Italian fare crafted by Robin Sanchez, with a lovely terrace in a quiet garden and Sunday brunch. We went to check out the place and here’s the full story.

The Fouquet's Paris, a Palace-rated hotel in Paris, what is this discreet property hiding?

Discreetly located at 46 Avenue George V, just a stone’s throw from its legendary Champs-Élysées brasserie, Hôtel Fouquet’s Paris has just earned in 2026 the Palace label awarded by Atout France, joining the very exclusive circle of 33 exceptional properties in France. If you haven’t heard of it, we tell you everything you need to know about a venue that has more than its fair share of assets.

Matthieu Carlin's tea time at the Crillon reveals an original tasting experience.

The Crillon Hotel's afternoon tea, set on Place de la Concorde in Paris's 8th arrondissement, unveils a new version crafted by Matthieu Carlin. New pastries, refined savory bites and floral teas are on the program for the entire summer season, through the end of August 2026.

Le Chou de Chanorier, the restaurant housed in a château in the Yvelines, unveils its gorgeous terrace at the Top

The Non-Parisian Bistros, which delight us with their restaurants, mainly in Hauts-de-Seine, opened last year a restaurant in Yvelines! And not just anywhere, since it’s at Château Chanorier in Croissy-sur-Seine that you can now go enjoy a meal. And surprise, you can discover a menu signed by Charlie Anne, the Top Chef 2025 finalist. We tested Chanorier’s Chou restaurant, which unveils a short, indulgent menu and even a vast terrace in the heart of a verdant park, offering raclette in winter and barbecue in summer.

La Bohème Café & Salon: a coffee shop and retro-chic brunch in Paris’s 7th arrondissement

La Bohème Café & Salon is a coffee shop and brunch spot located at 29 Avenue de Ségur, in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. The venue serves specialty coffee, matcha beverages, fresh juices, smoothies, toasts, and plant-based pastries, all in a retro-chic vibe inspired by 1960s France.

The Brach Rooftop 2026: a terrace tucked in a kitchen garden with a view of the Eiffel Tower

Undoubtedly one of Paris's loveliest rooftops, the perched terrace at Le Brach in the 16th arrondissement offers a panoramic view of the capital while basking in the sun. For the summer of 2026, this intimate haven takes on Provence and the French Riviera hues, presenting the flagship cuvées of an iconic winery from the Var coast, paired with bites as fresh as they are indulgent.

Corail: the summer restaurant-terrace that livens up the forecourt of the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris

The Corail restaurant returns to its summer quarters in the 16th arrondissement. A sunlit terrace between the museums, with the Eiffel Tower on the horizon, where couture-inspired decor, Mediterranean accents and briny plates evoke the taste of warm days.

Maison Roland, the new Parisian bistro at Shangri-La Paris, with a discreet terrace

Maison Roland, the new chic, gourmet bistro at Shangri-La Paris, opens its doors in the 16th arrondissement, boasting a discreet terrace tucked away in a garden. Classic bourgeois cuisine, an elegant setting, we went to discover it and here’s the full scoop.

Major Design at Sotheby’s Paris: the exhibition that brings together Lalanne, Mucha and Giacometti

In Paris, Sotheby’s unveils Important Design, an exhibition‑sale imagined by Ellie Peugeot, featuring about 189 landmark design pieces—from antique furniture to contemporary creations—from May 22 to 27, 2026. A rare journey to discover Lalanne, Mucha, Chareau, Giacometti, and Charlotte Perriand before the live sale on May 28.