Le Perchoir Marais: A Rooftop Bar with a Stunning View of Paris
With the warm weather on its way, young Parisians will be hitting the city's magnificent rooftop bars with their splendid views over the City of Light. One of the best is Le Perchoir Marais in the 4th arrondissement. Perched on top of the BHV department store across from the Hôtel de Ville, it's offering stunning views and a modern and sophisticated ambiance.
In the heart of Le Marais, the famous BHV (Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville) opened in 1856 during the Second Empire when Parisian department stores were transforming the the shopping experience. Its rooftop bar has a different history. Le Perchoir, a restaurant and rooftop bar in the 11th arrondissement, collaborated with BHV (today owned by the Galeries Lafayette) to open a new concept rooftop bar whose ambiance changes with the seasons. During the winter the Perchoir Marais has a winter garden feel with wood decor and hanging lightbulbs to create an elegant but earthy ambiance. Last spring the bar offered a Mediterranean look, which gave way to a bohême chic style in the summer season.
View from Le Perchoir. Image credit: ANousParis.fr
The menu offers a limited but elaborate selection ranging from finger food to cocktails. When I went to Perchoir Marais last month (before the spring season), finger food was traditional Spanish tapas, such as the Jambon Iberico plate, and assorted French cheeses. The bar offers beers, wines, cocktails and champagne. Preferring a cocktail, I chose the Fairy Tale Mule, a refreshing gin-based long drink. The plates of Spanish charcuterie and French cheese are perfect for sharing in a background of lounge music that doesn't overwhelm the ambiance of chatter and the sounds of Parisian traffic in the streets below.
Here are my top three reasons for going to Le Perchoir Marais:
1. The View
The view from the rooftop of the bar is one of the best views of almost all of the most important sites in Paris. At night the the radiant lights from the Hôtel De Ville light up the rooftop bar too. Among the famous Parisian monuments that can be seen from the rooftop: Tour Eiffel, Nôtre Dame, and Tour Saint Jacques.
2. The cocktails
This bar specializes in cocktails and the bartenders are excellent at serving a well-prepared martini. They are not cheap — on average €14 — but the experience is worth it if only once.
3. The ambiance
Le Perchoir Marais is ever-changing depending on the season. Each season the elegant decor brings out the bar's ambiance of simplicity and free spirit. It's a really cool space and a perfect place to bring someone who wants to enjoy a fun drink while admiring the Parisian nightlife scene.
LPM in summer and winter. Video Credit: www.bhvmarais.fr
Le Perchoir Marais, open till 2 am, is accessible only through the BHV department store. If you go on a Saturday night, make sure you get there early as it can get crowded. The average price per cocktail is €14. The average price for finger food is around €15.
Le Perchoir Marais
BHV Marais
36 rue de la Verriere, 75004 Paris
