A barge-turned-guinguette dedicated to the aperitif settles on the banks of the Seine this summer

The aperitif goes afloat with a floating guinguette on the banks of the Seine! From April 1 to September 30, 2026, this open-air hotspot, curated by the French Federation of Apéritif, blends local specialties, craft beers, and a festive atmosphere between Hôtel de Ville and Saint-Paul, to celebrate the return of sunny days.

The Apéro, is a bit of a national pastime in France! Cheese, charcuterie, baguette and cocktails, that’s enough to have a great evening. From April 1 to September 30, 2026, the Fédération Française de l’Apéritif (FFA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary and launching a houseboat version guinguette on the banks of the Seine, between the Hôtel de Ville and Saint-Paul. A floating, open-air spot to come drink and nibble as soon as the good weather returns!

On the menu: burgers, homemade fries, snack boards to nibble on, and artisanal local specialties, with the bar offering a selection of craft beers from Île-de-France, as well as wines and cocktails, in a festive atmosphere with DJ sets, brass bands, and comedy club nights depending on the evening. The barge is open Wednesday to Sunday until midnight, for the moment through the end of the summer, but it could become a permanent fixture in the future.

Obviously, it's best to kick off the evening when the sun is shining to enjoy it properly and avoid any rain. That comes with a downside, though—the crowds! As soon as the nice weather arrives, Parisians rush to grab a terrace, and since the barge doesn’t take reservations in advance, it’s wiser to arrive early before it gets snapped up, because we had trouble snagging a seat when we rolled in at 7 p.m.

You can just as well sit outside, on picnic tables along the barge, up on the deck, or grab a few seats here and there. With all the crowds, don’t rush to order, because you’ll have to go to the bar to fetch your drinks, while you wait for the option to order via QR codes in the near future. Two queues have been set up to keep things moving smoothly, and you can head down to the 'hold' if it gets too crowded upstairs.

Price-wise, it could be worse, especially along the Seine’s quays! Expect between €6.5 and €8 for a pint of beer, €6 for a glass of wine, and €9–€14 for a cocktail, with non-alcoholic options available. We went with a mocktail, the JNPR, made from peach, lemon and sparkling water, very fresh and refreshing under this spring sun, and a beer, brewed artisanally in Île-de-France by BapBap.

Because it’s the hallmark of the FFA: offering terroir products, locally sourced and high quality! You’re therefore ensured to savor the classic apéro staples without a miss. Three burgers (€12) are on the menu, including one vegetarian, as well as mixed boards or slices of sausage, burrata (€12), hummus, or meat or fish rillettes (€12–€16). We tried the board with charcuterie and cheese (€26), simple but excellent, plus a novelty: the poicamole (€10).

Why skip the avocado? Simply because it can’t be produced in France, so it’s swapped for peas! It’s surprising, but very tasty, especially since it’s seasoned with a few spices that really bring it to life. It makes the aperitif a bit more enjoyable, in a loud, convivial vibe, before continuing the night elsewhere (or not), guided by the flow of the Seine, with a holiday mood in advance of its time!

Unusual or lively barges: enjoying the Seine banks in Paris
Looking for a quirky spot for your cultural outings? Head to the banks of the Seine, where converted barges serve as stages, bookstores, nightclubs, and floating art galleries—offering one-of-a-kind experiences lined right on the water! [Read more]