La Seine des Parisiennes

The pitch: the most exclusive sports membership of the capital? Joining the Club Nautique de Paris with a direct view of La Défense, to wake or water-ski on the Seine with water just as clean as in Cannes— test in hand. You can wear a wetsuit or be daring… in a swimsuit!

Practical info: an initiation (40 €) on the Seine for a weekend with the gals or your kids (it starts at 3 years old)... before signing up for the year.

Booking 06 14 61 87 51. www.skinautiqueclubdeparis.com

The pitch: a holiday preview facing the Maison de la Radio on the super chic pontoon - solarium of the Parisian beach that lives up to its name. An impressive team of good looking guys from France Télé and ad agencies who rendezvous here every evening at happy hour (without reservations) to chill, flirt, be naughty in a chic guinguette spirit.   

Eats and drinks: a great caïpi (12€) and rosé wine (6€) to order from the outdoors cocktails bar along with nice nibbles: squid carpaccio or crispy jumbo shrimp with sauce tartare (15€) and a plate of San Daniele ham (16€).

Access between the pont de Grenelle and the pont Mirabeau bridges. www.laplageparisienne.fr

The pitch: the brand new trendy rooftop is squatting the fab terrace with a view of the Eiffel Tower, right next to the Compagnie des Bateaux Mouches. The place to be to have a few drinks with start-uppers and the young set of successful entrepreneurs, who come here after The Bureau, the most influent coworking network in Paris.

Eats and drinks: a fresh bottle of rosé (40€) or wild cocktails (à p. de 13 €). Anti-hangover Sunday brunch (50 €).

Access: right bank between the pont de l’Alma and the pont des Invalides bridges. www.facebook.com/Monsieur-Mouche

The pitch: if you are looking for a spot in the sun to chill and nap in a quiet spot, far from the urban frenzy, these floating gardens are an amazing haven of peace, comprising 5 small poetic islands.

Practical info: show up early to chill, sleep and hang out on the “prairie island” with amazing apple trees and hammocks to nestle in and relax. Here, one really concentrates on the art of the siesta. Revellers are not welcome since it’s forbidden to eat and drink.

Access from Pont de l’Alma.

© Marc Verhille / Mairie de Paris

The pitch: by closing off the city’s embankments to cars, the Mairie de Paris also thought of penniless Parisiennes who dream of spending time along the Seine without using up their savings on an expensive barge. And with cause: a heavenly picnic spot with comfortable wood and ultra ergonomic installations is available in the middle of trees.

Practical info: for an enchanted evening with the gals or your boyfriend, show up early to find a place with all the right equipment to have dinner in front of the most beautiful sunset in Paris. Careful not to forget anything (knives, wine, ice cubes, bottle opening, cigarettes…): there are no grocery shops in the area. Just in case: Deliveroo or Epicery deliver.

Access by the Pont des Invalides at the Quai d’Orsay level.

The pitch: the Faust season is back stronger than ever with good sounds, rosé, street-food and BP, on the terrace of the historical HQ for cool fiestas along the Seine.

Eats and drinks: settle on the lovely outdoor terrace signed Peyrassol, the king of couture rosé (45€). In case of a sudden hunger pang, every evening, street-food stands are available with as guest star the burgers signed PNY (15€) along with good crêpes.

The pitch: the incredible rooftop of Flow has become the VIP area of trendy 30-year-olds in happy hour and good sounds mode, overlooking the crowds that gather when balmy weather settles in. The driving forces behind this grandiose high-end barge: Laurent Malvaldi (the producer of M, Vanessa Paradis and Laurent Segall (ex boss of Batofar).

Eats and drinks: slabs of cheese and charcuteries to share (starting at 15€) around a cocktail (starting at 8€) or a glass of chilled white wine (starting at 7€). Daytime: piadines, bowls and ceviches to nibble on while sitting out in the sun.

Access by the Porte des Invalides. www.flow-paris.com

The pitch: you feel like sculpting yourself a bikini body in the sun, hair in the wind along the waterfront? Challenge accepted. No need to spend a wad at the gym when the embankments morph into a real sports course with free access for healthy girls.

Practical info: Left Bank, 4 racing lanes of 100 m, ropes and other workout apparatus in the boot camp spirit. Option: booking the coolest coach in Paris (it girls and stars swear only by him) who ensures you will end up with a dream body. (Bukola Tshiteya, 06 26 67 53 71).

Left Bank access at the pont d’Iéna level

The pitch: the very trendy modern style guinguette launched by Déborah Pham, founder of the highly respected independent magazine Mint. In other words, the hot spot en vogue for sun-filled lunches and al fresco happy hour in good company.

Eats and drinks: pretty plates concocted by young chef Adriana Seghetta: sea snails with mayo; veal stew; rice pudding. 100% home-made dishes to enjoy with well selected natural wines.

Access between the pont Neuf and the pont des Arts bridges. www.facebook.com/maisonmaisonparis

The pitch: if you enjoy knocking back rosé wine, smoking, networking, dancing (and why not flirting) under open skies with a hot date, you will soon be hooked to the evenings organized by the La Bande Organisée collective at the Jardins du Pont Neuf – the most chic and tropicool barge along the Seine where all the trendy 30-year-olds hang out.

Practical info: show up at 7pm to chill in front of the sunset around a bottle of white wine (35€), a cocktail (13€) and stylish nibbles. At 9:30pm: the sound is turned up on the top deck for dancing until 2am.

Checkout the next evening with password and reservations on the Facebook page. www.facebook.com/labandeorganisee

The pitch: your bike is “kaputt”? Head for SoliCycle, the surgeon for two-wheelers in dire straits, that enhances circular economy. Nothing is discarded, everything is transformed.

Practical info: a terrific repair workshop that will make your bicycle anew and ensures the adjustment of your machinery in a jiffy. The good thing, you can also rent a recycled bike by the hour (4€) or day (15€) for a cool outing.

Access between the pont Notre-Dame and the pont d’Arcole bridges. www.solicycle.org

© Henri Garat / Mairie de Paris

The pitch: kids love to move around. And you dream of a quiet moment working on your tan, what else? Phew, here everybody can do their own thing.

Practical info: a super chill playground that combines swings, free access to a pocket soccer field protected by a net, and a special course for young adventurers. A great way to keep them busy and safe. Meanwhile, you can quietly take a nap in one of the comfy hammocks.

Access Right Bank between the pont Louis Philippe and the pont d’Arcole bridges.

© Henri Garat / Mairie de Paris

The pitch: A 2.0 Love Boat. In the hold, a special entertainment space room animated by the new guard of comedy. On the deck, a restaurant-terrace right in front of Notre-Dame. Welcome aboard the barge that has the swag.

Practical info: How to marry a millionaire? by Audrey Varnon, Bad Mom by Olivia Moore. Super fun stand-up performances as we like them. Once your abs are nice and tight (from laughing), debriefing around an organic beer or a mojito with a burrata, duck breast or grilled jumbo shrimp.

Access: 3, Quai de Montebello, left bank in front of Notre-Dame. www.lanouvelleseine.com

The pitch: Weak battery. Remaining charge 10%. You just have time to answer your mom’s text, check your Instagram… and it’s over. No more juice. Impossible to make contact with your squad to know the exact meeting spot for the evening happy hour. A real shame.

Practical info: Avoid running out of battery thanks to the onsite bikes and water-bikes that you can use to recharge your smartphones and electronic devices. Count 10 minutes of leg effort for 15% battery. Start pedalling!

Access: right bank, pont d’Arcole bridge.

Le pitch : le nouveau sport préféré des Parisiennes chics, c’est la pétanque ! Le dimanche ou en sortant du boulot, ça tire et ça pointe à la fraîche au bord de l’eau sur l’un des 5 terrains au pied du pont Louis-Philippe. Un alibi en or pour papoter entre copines et chiller en sirotant un apéro. Trop de Pagnol en vous.  

En pratique : on débarque à l’improviste avec ses boules et son cochonnet (sans réservation). Prêt de matériel pendant les vacances scolaires, de 9h à 20h depuis le petit local attenant. Ne pas oublier d’embarquer sa petite bouteille de rosé bien frais pour parfaire l’atmosphère.

Access under pont Louis Philippe bridge.

The pitch: furiously festive, this trendy guinguette with Berlin influences spreads out on a large terrace that extends onto the embankments. Place to be! 

Practical info: concerts, DJ sets, performances, improvisations, there is always something going on. Great beers, good Prosecco, lots of cocktails (starting at 5 €). Add a slab of charcuterie or cheese and you can last all night long.

Access from the corner of rue Saint-Paul and quai des Célestins. www.lesnautes-paris.com

The pitch: Aurélien Dubois (Concrète) and the entire gang of La Démesure are inaugurating Quai de la Rapée the stylish and vegetal XXL beach all the cool 30-year-olds were dreaming of, featuring deck chairs, outdoor bar, piano happy hour, pétanque space and... the largest BBQ in Paris! Fab. For those seeking a little more quiet place, a more chic Med restaurant is available on the next door boat.   

Eats and drinks: grilled skewers of gambas and squid (19,5 €), grilled sardines (12,5 €),  ribs (16,5 €) or Montélimar sausage (with fries, veggies). Cocktails in 1liter pitchers by the ex-barman of Baron (30 €).

Everyday from noon to 2am. Access: 69 Port de la Rapée.

The pitch: Miami Beach in Paris. With design rooms, an outdoors pool and a super cocktails bar—the first floating hotel of the capital makes Parisian evenings sway.

 Practical info: hop on board the boat pontoon for a caïpi on the waterfront (12 €) with a slab of charcuteries (24 €)… Test booking a room for one night that could make waves. Very cool, the XXL brunch served each weekend (35 €).

Access from 86 quai d’Austerlitz. www.offparisseine.com

The pitch: the most Parisian of Australian pubs has taken over the XXL rooftop of the Cité de la Mode et du Design. Feel good ambiance and sunset amongst windsurfs boards. Byron Bay on Seine, with neo-cool Parisians and stylish English speaking hipsters there to chill with the gang.

Eats and drinks: new cocktail creations directly inspired from Australia (8,5 €) and other musts like Ginger Soda Drinks (7,5 €) and Australian wines (7 €). On the plates, comfort foods are in the spotlight : burgers (15 €), wraps (14 €), slabs (17 €), XXL pizza (30 €)…

Access Quai d'Austerlitz. www.cafe-oz.com

The pitch: we all dreamed it would happen. Here is the first really private made in Paris marina that you can privatize to organize a stylish evening along the waterfront (up to120 persons) in wedding or birthday mode, as well as for other important occasions. It’s the brand new stylish spot to organize a fiesta with style.  

Practical info: to book this place of paradise, it will cost you 3000 €. Nec plus ultra: take advantage of the possibility of hopping on a Riva with your guests since the vintage Venetian limousines are moored along the pontoon.

Access from 2 quai d’Austerlitz. www.aloha.paris

The pitch: like a dip in the Seine or the real charm of spending your “holidays in Paris”. Diving in the 25m basin of the Josephine Baker pool gives you the impression of swimming in the Seine, along the BnF. A sports session with additional soul.

Practical info: in the early morning, at lunchtime or sunset, come swim your laps before drying in the solarium or having a drink next door. A must to have a mermaid body? Dynamic Fins (520 kcalories after 45 minutes!), and aquagym (6 € per session).  

Access between the pont de Bercy and the pont de Tolbiac bridges.www.dismoiparis.fr