Every spring, Paris reopens its rooftops. Among the addresses that set the pace for the rooftop season, Molitor holds a special place. Perched atop the five-star hotel in the 16th arrondissement, just above its legendary Art Deco swimming pool, the Molitor Rooftop reopened on 14 May 2026 with a resolutely sunny identity: a Mediterranean cruise suspended between the Parisian sky and the shores of the South.
An Art Deco Ocean Liner Setting Sail Anew
To grasp the concept, one must go back to 1929. When architect Lucien Pollet designed Molitor, he envisioned it as an ocean liner moored in western Paris: complete with corridors, colourful cabins, and sunbathing decks. The winter pool and its outdoor swimming pool quickly became a mythical place for fashion and swimming, before decades of disuse and then a rebirth as a luxury hotel. By focusing on the cruise aesthetic this season, the rooftop merely extends the venue’s maritime DNA. The nod is clever: guests embark on an immobile voyage, one floor above the famous pool.
A Rooftop Reimagined in Mediterranean Hues
As for the decor, the metamorphosis is complete. Sun yellow and azure blue now adorn the space, warmed by potted olive trees and kumquats, seaside stripes, and light rattan furniture. Deep sofas and large tables invite guests to linger, glass in hand, from lunch until sunset. But the true luxury here remains the double view: on one side, the iconic outdoor pool, a living reflection of the venue’s history; on the other, the Eiffel Tower on the horizon, a discreet reminder that one is indeed in the heart of Paris.
A Menu Steering South
The drinks and dishes follow the same compass. The rooftop has forged seasonal alliances: Pommery champagnes and Minuty rosés present a decidedly southern wine list, with rosé even finding its way into the Rosé Riviera, a signature cocktail with hints of peach and rosemary. Other creations explore the horizon in all its nuances, from the Lavender Sidecar with cognac to the Nuit d’Azur with tequila and blueberry, alongside genuine non-alcoholic options such as the Bikini Breeze with hibiscus and elderflower. Budget-wise, expect dishes from €27 and cocktails from €18, and a Sunday roast on Sundays to extend the weekend.
Our Opinion: A Sure Bet for the Parisian Summer
Is it worth a visit? Molitor ticks all the boxes for a successful Parisian rooftop: a double-edged view, pool and Eiffel Tower, genuine coherence between the venue and its history, and a menu that embraces a holiday vibe without resorting to gimmicks. We will especially be monitoring the crowds on pleasant evenings and the value-for-money of the dishes, the deciding factor for rooftops in the capital. For enthusiasts of the genre, it’s a must-visit from the first mild evenings. To be discovered alongside our finest Parisian rooftops.
In Practice
- Where: Molitor Hotel rooftop, Paris 16th arrondissement
- Opening: since 14 May 2026, 7 days a week
- Restaurant: lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm (12:30 pm on weekends, last order 2:30 pm), dinner from 7 pm to midnight (last order 10:30 pm), Sunday roast on Sundays from 12:30 pm to 3 pm
- Bar: daily from 5 pm to 1 am (last order 00:30 am)
- Budget: main course from €27, cocktail from €18
- Reservation: via the hotel’s official website
Welcome aboard, then: for a Mediterranean stopover a few metres above one of Paris’s most beautiful pools.
