A summer rooftop bar with breathtaking views over Paris reopens atop a landmark museum

Spring–summer 2026, the Musée d’Orsay takes to the skies… and to new heights. Its terrace reopens with a panoramic view of Paris, an arty-chic vibe, and a bar inspired by Art Nouveau. A discreet rooftop, but not for long.

This summer, we ascend the stairs of good taste (and culture) to land where Paris stages its own show... The Orsay Museum Terrace, perched above the Seine, returns for the spring-summer 2026 season. Open by day Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:45 (until 20:30 on Thursdays), weather permitting, with a museum admission ticket, this high-altitude stop is not just a pretty view; it’s a suspended gema, a confidante to savor in calm, far from the city’s hustle.

Right after the Impressionist gallery, the scene opens up. With the Louvre in sight, the Tuileries just a selfie away, and Sacré-Cœur crowning the view to close the shot. A spot that looks like a postcard… but it’s real!

The bar, inspired by Art Nouveau (a nod to Guimard), was conceived by architects Denis Paszkiewickz and Claire Tournier. This year again the terrace dives into dining! For the second year running, a food offering tempts visitors with sandwiches, salads, mackerel rillette and other spreads to enjoy between two sips of citrus champagne or fruity mocktails.

The long, open-plan space is fairly roomy, but seats can be pricey on peak museum days—the queue is inevitable. About a dozen tables and four to five low tables tucked along the balustrade invite you to soak up the panorama. As a fallback, the stone bench that runs along the building still offers a sliver of an unobstructed view. The terrasse, fairly shaded, lends itself to a pleasant pause at any time.

On the sweet side, sugar lovers will choose the moist red-fruit cake, the dark chocolate mousse, and macarons. You can also snack on chips or popcorn while taking in the view, or tempt the younger ones with cookies or cakes before moving on to the rest of the exhibition.

The drinks menu runs from soft drinks and smoothies to coffee and tea during the day. And when the sun dips, the terrace comes alive: cocktails or mocktails, rosé and ice-cold beer to toast the golden hour. No grand kitchen or mixology show, but a simple, efficient, and varied offering that’s perfect for the whole family, with fair prices for the setting: around €9.50 for a sandwich, €5 to €6.90 for a cake or pastry, and €11 to €16 for a cocktail.

Between two masterpieces, you can munch Paris to your heart's content and sip the sky like a chilled cocktail. A terrace that combines an arty break with a breathtaking view!

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.