In short: five terraces from our database where you can open your laptop in front of a real landscape: the ocean in Biarritz, the bay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Saint-Malo, the Garonne in Toulouse, and the Loire in Orléans. Cafés, coffee shops and coworking spaces open for the day, with each place's opening hours and the best time slot to work there.
Working outside is nice. Working outside with the sea, a river or a whole city in front of you is even better for getting through a morning of focus. The place still has to welcome people working on a laptop, have Wi-Fi and keep hours that match a working day. We only kept places from our database whose terrace or rooftop genuinely looks out on something, from the Basque coast to Brittany.
1. Le Connecteur, Biarritz
In the Clos Saint-Michel area, Le Connecteur is Biarritz's big coworking hub. Its rooftop looks out over the ocean on one side and the Pyrenees on the other.
For work: a café working space you can use by the day without booking or commitment, with Wi-Fi, power outlets and the Le Marloe restaurant on site for lunch. Reception is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, closed at weekends. Aim for the end of the day to enjoy the rooftop at sunset.
2. Horizon Brunch, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Tucked under the arcades of La Pergola, Horizon Brunch has a terrace overlooking the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The coffee comes from a local roaster and the food is homemade, with vegan and vegetarian options.
The place has Wi-Fi and works well for laptop sessions. It's open every day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm: the move is a morning of work facing the bay, then a late brunch break before giving up the table.
3. Wojo Ibis Plage, Saint-Malo
Set inside the ibis Plage hotel facing the Sillon beach, Wojo Saint-Malo Ibis Plage has a south-facing terrace overlooking the bay, a 10-minute walk from the walled city.
It's the most comfortable spot on the list for a real working day: free coworking when you order something at the bar, professional Wi-Fi, power outlets, and private offices or meeting rooms you can book if needed. Open every day from 8 am to 7 pm. Since the terrace faces south, keep the outdoor tables for the morning or overcast days in summer, and move inside when the sun is beating down.
4. Café Cerise, Toulouse
On the Quai de la Daurade, Café Cerise is a coffee shop with a view of the Garonne and a large terrace.
Wi-Fi, large tables, a fairly quiet atmosphere and food on site: good conditions for a laptop session by the river. Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, closed on Sundays. It's a daytime spot: it closes at 5 pm, so don't count on the sunset.
5. Garden Ice Café, Orléans
On the Place de la Loire, Garden Ice Café is a bright café with a view of the river, and a terrace when the weather is nice.
There's Wi-Fi and the atmosphere stays quiet, which makes it a good option for working in the afternoon. Watch the hours: it only opens at 11:30 am, every day, until 12:30 am (1 am on Fridays and Saturdays). So it's the spot for an afternoon session facing the Loire, not for starting your day.
Our tips for working on a terrace with a view
- Come early. Terraces with a view are the first to fill up, especially by the sea. Opening time is almost always the best slot to get a quiet table.
- Think about shade. A south-facing or seafront terrace means an unreadable screen around noon in summer. Keep the mornings for outside and move indoors during the hottest hours.
- Come charged. A terrace won't necessarily have an outlet within reach: arrive with a full battery, and bring a power bank if you plan to stay.
- Pick according to your day. For a real working day, go for the coworking spaces (Biarritz, Saint-Malo). For a two-hour session with a coffee, the cafés in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Toulouse or Orléans do the job.
- Order regularly in cafés and free up your table at mealtimes if it's busy.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I work on a terrace with a sea view?
On the Basque coast, Le Connecteur in Biarritz (rooftop with an ocean view) and Horizon Brunch in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (bay view). In Brittany, the Wojo at the ibis Plage in Saint-Malo, with its terrace overlooking the bay.
Which terrace with a view should I choose for a full working day?
A coworking space is a better bet: the Wojo in Saint-Malo (free with a drink, open every day from 8 am to 7 pm) and Le Connecteur in Biarritz (café working space with no booking, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm). The cafés in this selection are better suited to a one- or two-hour session.
When is the best time to work on a terrace with a view?
In the morning, at opening time: the terrace is quieter, the light is softer and your screen stays readable. In summer, avoid the early afternoon in full sun. One exception: Garden Ice Café in Orléans only opens at 11:30 am, so it's an afternoon spot.
Are these terraces open all year round?
Yes, but check the closing days: Le Connecteur is closed at weekends and Café Cerise on Sundays.
Final word
A great view doesn't replace Wi-Fi, but it sure helps you get through a morning of work. Choose your spot based on what you have to do: a café facing the sea or a river for two inspired hours, a coworking space with a terrace for a real working day. And come early, the best table always goes first.
