The 11th in May: that unique mix of a Bastille that never sleeps and an Oberkampf that wakes up late, the pedestrianised streets pulling out their tables from 9am, and that density of cafés that have long understood freelancers are a loyal clientele. It's one of the Parisian arrondissements where you can best mix work and neighbourhood life without changing address.

We walked up Amelot, did the rounds of Bréguet and headed down towards Saint-Maur to find the terraces that are genuinely worth it for working. Here are four addresses to save for the season.

Café Pivoine

Rue Faidherbe, near Faidherbe-Chaligny, Café Pivoine is a vintage-style café-brasserie with a terrace and generous food. Laptops are welcome.

Wi-Fi, power outlets, food on site and a terrace for sunny days. Open every day, from morning until late in the evening.

The smart move for a day on the terrace that can stretch into the evening.

Back In Black

Rue Amelot, Back In Black is a spacious coffee shop in the Bastille neighbourhood offering good coffees and good homemade dishes. It's one of the classics for working in the area, with a setup designed for long sessions.

Wi-Fi in place, power outlets everywhere, large tables, laptop fully welcome. The terrace makes the most of sunny days.

Our favourite on the Bastille side for full days where you want to eat on-site without moving.

Le Grand Bréguet

Rue Bréguet, Le Grand Bréguet is a convivial address in Bastille with a terrace and large interior space, free Wi-Fi and power outlets. The place is unanimously praised by freelancers in the neighbourhood for its comfort-atmosphere-price ratio.

Fast Wi-Fi, power outlets, large tables, good food, refined atmosphere. The terrace is generous, the interior is bright: you choose your atmosphere depending on the moment.

The go-to spot for sessions where you want people around, without it feeling like a factory.

The People Belleville

Boulevard de Belleville, The People Belleville is a hostel with a pleasant outdoor terrace, 24/7 reception, and Wi-Fi that does the job for working. The place is less "office café" and more "place to live", which makes it a good spot for mixing work and breaks.

Food, vibe, laptops welcome. The terrace is well-placed and has a genuine Belleville feel without the touristification of other neighbourhoods.

A good spot for afternoon sessions where you want the outdoors and some life without the pressure of a waiter hovering.

How to work well on a terrace in the 11th

Three useful rules in the neighbourhood:

  • Bastille terraces are noisy in the afternoon. For calls, aim for the side streets (Amelot, Bréguet, Saint-Maur).
  • Oberkampf comes alive at night. If you're working until 6pm, you'll be fine. Beyond that, the neighbourhood changes rhythm and concentration becomes tricky.
  • Coworking spaces in the 11th often have a courtyard. That's the neighbourhood's distinctive feature. If you want genuine quiet on a private terrace, this is where to look.

To go further

If you want our full selection of spots in Paris 11e, we also have a guide that covers all the good spots in the area (cafés, coworking spaces, community spaces), not just terraces. For detailed listings of places in Paris 11e, head to our city page.

Looking for terraces in another city this summer? We also have our selections for Courbevoie, Boulogne Billancourt, Rueil-Malmaison.

In summary

The 11th probably has the widest variety of atmospheres in east Paris. Office café, relaxed hostel, green coworking space, retro bistrot: you'll find the address that matches your mood for the day. Our selection covers the main use cases.

Want to explore another corner of Paris? Find our selections by arrondissement and our city guides on Deskover.