Bar le Perchoir

This enormously popular bar in Ménilmontant has a huge rooftop with a 360 degree view of the capital. Despite ‘speakeasy’ pretentions (the street entrance is unmarked), the place is becoming a victim of its own success, with queues out of the front door to be endured before you take the lift to the 7th floor. But once you do make it up there, you’ll find a vast space surrounding a handsome bar, comfortable sofas strewn with cushions, colourful plants and scented herbs planted in pots around the seats or hung from railings. Watching the sun set over the Sacré-Coeur, glass in hand, under garlands of coloured lights, really is something special.

On the menu, you could try the cocktail of the day (€12), a slightly pricy draught beer (€5 a half) or an imported bottled beer from places as far flung as Mexico and the Czech Republic. For wine, it’s cheaper to share a bottle – careful, the bill adds up quickly. Tapas is also on offer. For your best chance of getting a seat, come very early (5.30pm) or quite late (10pm) – or to be certain of that view, reserve a table in the restaurant, on the penultimate floor of the building.