Francette: Terrace on the Seine and underwater wine cellar, the latest trendy and indulging spot in Paris

Francette: remember its name, because you'll probably hear about this new summer place in Paris. Moored just in front of the Eiffel Tower, this XXL boat offers to chill out all summer long thanks to its three tempting spaces: a penthouse on the roof, accessible for the moment in soft opening mode, then a restaurant putting French gastronomy in the spotlight to be discovered very soon, and finally a wine shop under water!

This summer, new places are blooming everywhere, but they are not the same. The proof is in the arrival of Francette! Moored at Port de Suffren, in the 7th arrondissement, opposite the imposing Iron Lady, this XXL version of the boat will embellish your summer and take you " out of Paris to Paris ". An effective leitmotiv that some may have already discovered through the concept of Laïa, a restaurant hidden in a garden in the 11th arrondissement and imagined by Pierre Doublet and Quentin Garreau de Labarre. This summer, the two acolytes strike a new blow with the opening of Francette, in reference to the old boat, the France, which used to shuttle between Le Havre and New York.

So, what can you expect when you get on board this dear Francette? Prepare yourself for a unique experience with the three spaces offered on site. On the roof of this 65-meter long boat, you will find the Penthouse and its 250m2 terrace, accessible from breakfast to 2am. It is here that ultra gourmet street food plates based on seafood await you. You can choose between ceviche, oysters, or a Japanese red tuna sandwich with beet and tonkatsu sauce, not forgetting the Lobster Roll from Francette with Breton lobster.

We fell for the tasty lean ceviche with smoked garlic puree, tiger leche, and kasha, and the gourmet fish & chips with gribiche sauce. A gustatory pleasure for the eyes as well as for the taste buds!

After that, we can only advise you to try the memorable Paris-Brest revisited, with a pistachio cream, fleur de sel, lemon gel and pistachio praline. A pure delight!

To accompany all this, champagne, wine, beers from the Brasserie De Sutter, not to mention tasty house cocktails, such as the"Cactus" (tequila, pomegranate puree, lime and ginger beer), which we warmly recommend. For the moment, this penthouse welcomes you in soft opening mode with a menu that may evolve.

Just below, lovers of French gastronomy will soon be satisfied thanks to the upcoming opening of a restaurant featuring a tricolored cuisine that is both healthy and festive, with a breathtaking view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. In the kitchen, chef Marco Bernado, who has worked at the Four Seasons in Milan, Le George* at the Four Seasons George V in Paris, and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester***, is in charge. To tickle your taste buds, he is not alone, since Stéphanie Moquet, trained at the Table du 11 in Versailles, accompanies him in this gustatory mission.

Finally, in the holds, discover the first underwater wine shop in Paris, with over 120 references of natural and biodynamic wines. For those who love good wines, Francette's cellar is open from 10am to 7pm.