Perched above
Temple & Chapon, best rooftops, Rive Gauche listings, Vivant 2, Les Vins du Matin, best wine shop in Strasbourg, Fuga R., MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Temple of chop
The Skinny: Experimental, whose first Parisian locale, Experimental Cocktail Club, helped put the city’s cocktail scene on the map, is ramping up a sleepy stretch of the Haut Marais with its latest chic hotel and the stylish restaurant inside, Temple & Chapon.
The Vibe: Part Mad Men, part Midnight in Paris, Temple & Chapon feels as cinematic as it does fundamentally Parisian. Interior architect Tristan Auer (behind Les Bains and Hôtel de Crillon) is known for elegantly executed extravagance, and this subterranean spot is no different. He’s illuminated the neo-Gothic beauty’s grand arches and draped a soaring, cathedral-like glass ceiling in sumptuous white flowing curtains. Silver candelabras sit atop tables ringed by intimate velvet booths.
The Food: Young French chef Mélanie Serre (formerly of Joël Robuchon in Monaco and Eden Rock St Barths) pays tribute to 1950s New York City chophouses with dishes designed to pair with dirty martinis (although the mostly French wine list is as much a hit as the cocktails). American classics are given a French sprucing up, with plates like oysters Rockefeller (one of the few spots you’ll find them in the city), grilled Breton lobster with chipotle pepper mayonnaise, and beef filet topped with pan-seared foie gras. Don’t debate dessert — the cheesecake is everything one misses about New York.
The Drink: Arrive early for a drink at the Hemingway-esque American Bar, modeled after New York staples like Raines Law Room and Attaboy. Sidle up to a stool, order the Benton’s Old Fashioned, and savor the bacon fat-washed bourbon before descending the grand staircase and entering an entirely different universe downstairs.
The Verdict: Temple & Chapon is a place you’ll want to linger all evening long. –Lane Nieset
→ Temple & Chapon (Haut Marais) • 116 rue du Temple • Tue-Sat 19h-00h, Sun 12h-16h • Book.
PARIS WORK & PLAY LINKS: Galleries announced for October’s Art Basel Paris • Renovating a 19th-century Paris townhouse with Japanese purity in mind • The most exciting new bar in Paris, De Vie, runs entirely without ice • What to do with kids in Paris • The new Cannes dress code dials down the glitz (or tries to).
GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
Rooftops
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of the best in Paris and surrounds. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or email found@foundparis.com.
Le Toit de la Tour (5th arr, above), perched above legendary Tour d’Argent, postcard views of Notre-Dame and Seine
Kinugawa Rive Gauche (6th arr), new addition to the Left Bank dining scene, Japanese plates, expertly crafted cocktails
Maggie (9th arr), 360-degree views of Montmartre and Paris w/ Art Deco soul atop Hôtel Rochechouart
Fuga R (17th arr), just opened above Fuga Monceau complex, for Latin vibes, views of Eiffel tower, live music (intel below)
Auteuil Brasserie (16th arr), more garden terrace than classic rooftop, multi-level design, lush greenery, a perfect spot for sunny lunch or aperitivo
Créatures (9th arr), a vegetarian restaurant by chef Julien Sebbag at Galeries Lafayette, views of Opéra and Sacré-Cœur reason enough
Bramble (7th arr), cocktail bar by Margot Combat nestled above Musée du Quai Branly, next to the Eiffel Tower
Le Perchoir Ménilmontant (11th arr), original Perchoir and still one of best rooftops in Paris more than a decade after opening
Bigoudi (16th arr), opening in June, Brasserie A La Mode team brings Riviera flair to Trocadero w/ striped cushions, chilled rosé, festive playlist
REAL ESTATE • On the Market
Three properties on offer for around 5 million € on Rive Gauche in the 6th arrondissement.
→ Bon Marche (metro Duroc, Sevres-Babylone) • 3BR/2.5BA, 191 sq m2 • Ask: 5.2M € • 3rd floor (of 6) in 1974 building equipped with elevator, building code, intercom and building attendant • Annual maintenance/condo fees: 7800 € • Agent: Patrimoine Ouest Parisien.
→ Montparnasse/Raspail (metro Vavin, Notre Dame des Champs) • 3BR/2BA, 308 sq m2 • Ask: 5.2M € • 2nd floor of 6, fully renovated apartment in sought-after 1930 building equipped with balcony overlooking peaceful courtyard, plus cellar for storage • Annual property taxes: 5363 € • Annual maintenance/condo fees: 8500 € • Agent: Delphine Cohen D’Aynac, Daniel Feau Luxembourg.
→ Saint German des Pres (metro Raspail) • 3BR/3BA, 191 sq m2 • Ask: 4.9M € • 2nd floor rare apartment set on 3 levels in building dating to 1880, with period parquet floors, high ceilings, fireplaces, mirrors, moldings, custom-made bookshelves, and sculpted doors • Annual property taxes: 3916 € • Annual maintenance/condo fees: 6676 € • Agent: Nordine Drif, Engel & Völkers Paris MMC. –Andra Zeppelin
WORK • Friday Routine
Alsatian terroir
PIERRE BERTHIER • sommelier • Vivant 2
Neighborhood you work in: 10th arr
Neighborhood you live in: 18th arr
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I work as a sommelier at Vivant 2. My shift usually starts in the early afternoon. When I arrive, the team is already blasting Italo-disco, a mix of Pino D'Angiò and Mina. The atmosphere is energetic and friendly — there are just six of us. We have four locations on the same street — Vivant 2, Déviant, Camino, Collier de la Reine — so it’s always buzzing with activity. We often pop over to one of the other locations for a coffee, and the vibe is relaxed and playful. At 530p, we share a staff meal, and the place suddenly becomes very quiet. We turn off the music, and some people take a quick nap. The only sound is the constant hum of the fridges. At 6p, we turn the music back on, light the candles, and the evening begins.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Outside of service, I focus on building relationships with winemakers, engaging with them and sharing their stories with other wine venues in Paris. My primary focus is on Alsace, as that's where I'm from, and where my wine culture originates. I also work on organizing the next edition of the wine fair I host with David Neilson in Strasbourg, Phare Ô Vins at the Phare Citadelle. The next one will be October 2025. It's a lot of back-and-forth with winemakers, inviting chefs to cook for the event, and coordinating with the venue’s staff to organize everything. It’s a job rooted in passion and relationships — one that involves taking time to connect with industry professionals, recommend great restaurants, taste wines, and meet new people.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight, I plan to have a drink at Les Vins du Matin, probably with a piece of blue cheese, some smoked harissa, and a pet nat by Vanessa Letort from Sons of Wine. I might also stop by Déviant; there's a bottle I've had my eye on for a while — a 2015 blend of Riesling, Barbera, Picpoul, Cortes, Carignan, and Grenache Gris by Ruth Levandinsky. I can already picture enjoying a glass of it with their Bouchée à la Reine. I’m craving the warmth and comfort of puff pastry and cheese.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m a huge jazz fan and really enjoy the concerts at New Morning. I’m looking forward to seeing Billie Cohan perform — he’s an incredible jazz drummer. The venue is located on Rue des Petites Écuries, just a few doors down from Vivant 2. It’s an intimate space with a top-quality sound system — well thought out, and very precise. The programming focuses on hip hop, jazz, and indie music.
Afterward, I’ll likely find myself at a PMU for a Jupiler draft — I'm still a pilsner drinker at heart. I also enjoy browsing for vinyl at Rock Bottles. They have an excellent selection of movie soundtracks, including works by François de Roubaix and Michel Legrand. A good soundtrack on vinyl, paired with a glass of wine, is one of life’s little pleasures.
Any weekend getaways?
I spend all my weekends in Alsace, as that’s where I feel a deep connection to the land. I have a few parcels in Obernai, and it’s always a joy to care for them. I also have a pied-à-terre in Strasbourg, and my love for both Paris and Strasbourg — along with the Piémont des Vosges — keeps me coming back every weekend. When I arrive at the train station, I stop by Le Bardu (Cosmos) for a Météor on tap. I have an apéro at Jaja, dinner at Le Pont Corbeau, and then return to Le Bardu.
What was your last great vacation?
When I was living in Strasbourg, Paris was my go-to holiday destination. I'm still split between the two cities. Every summer, though, I spend 10 to 15 days in Arles with my brother. We rent a mas, live to the rhythm of the cicadas, and dine out every night. Our usuals are Chardon, they host chefs in residency, so the menu changes every year; Inari by Céline Pham, and a memorable aïoli at Chapeau de Paille in Aix-en-Provence, paired with old vintages from Henri Milan. It’s also a great opportunity to visit Anthony Duchêne in Marseille, where he takes me to La Passarelle for wine and to hunt for vinyl records.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A trench coat I thrifted near République. It pairs nicely with movie soundtracks and the Grands Boulevards of Paris.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Au Fil du Vin Libre in Strasbourg is, without hesitation, the best wine shop ever. I often pick up some wine there before heading home to cook.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Checking in at new hotel SO/Paris in the Marais • Burgundy vineyard prices set new records • How the Rosewood Amsterdam revived historic former Palace of Justice • World’s tallest 3-D printed tower opens to tours in Swiss Alps • On Paros, two new boutique hotels are rising.
BARS • First Round
Catching air
Fuga R. (think “Fuga Air”) is the latest rooftop to capture Paris’s attention, with sweeping 360-degree views from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower. From the moment the elevator doors open onto the 12th floor, the city’s zinc roofs and iconic skyline stretch out like a postcard.
The scene is set with an array of signature cocktails, from the tropical Costa Brava Smash (amber rum, basil, lemon) to the lighter Capri (peach, yuzu, lemon), alongside a range of spritzes and classic apéritifs. The tapas menu highlights Spanish and Mediterranean flavors: Cecina de León with manchego and focaccia, pimientos de Padrón with basil aïoli, Jerez vinegar oysters, and patatas bravas-style fries. The standout? All the Laïazzas, a signature from other Fuga spots: crisp, pizza-like flatbreads topped with fior di latte, tomatoes, and guanciale, or stracciatella and pistachios.
The design takes cues from the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote: burnt wood accents, warm terracotta hues. Fig trees and cacti bring a touch of greenery among the sculptural totems and large murals. Fuga R. delivers a much-needed escape from the Parisian streets below, a sunset hideaway that feels miles away from the city under it. –Victoire Loup
→ Fuga R. (8th arr) • 28 rue de Monceau • Wed-Fri 17h-1h, Sat 13h-1h, Sun 13h-19h.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Pink Robots
Nelly • Adidas Arena (La Chapelle) • Fri @ 19h30 • section Z1, 147 € per
French Open • Round 3 • Roland Garros (16th arr) • Sat @ 12h • CAT2, Philippe-Chartrier, 233 € per
The Flaming Lips • Le Trianon (18th arr) • Sun @ 19h • GA, 47 € per
ASK FOUND
First, a quick primer on how this works: You send us the pressing questions of the day (on dining, services, living in Paris and surrounds). We all put our heads together (us, FOUND, + you, FOUND subscribers, who are also FOUND) in search of truth and beauty.
Three FOUND subscriber PROMPTS for which we are seeking intel:
If you haven’t already, tell us your favorite Paris restaurant.
What Paris hotel do you always recommend for out-of-town guests?
Tell us about your favorite short-distance getaway?
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@foundparis.com.