Where to Picnic in Paris

One of my favorite things to do in Paris solo or with friends is to picnic. It is easy to find a fromagerie and boulangerie to buy bread and cheese to host an impromptu picnic in Paris. You don’t have to plan much and this can easily be a lunch or dinner that doesn’t break the bank when it comes to your budget.

Where to Picnic in Paris

As soon as the weather warms up in Paris, picnic season has begun. It is easy to do and there are many places all over the city to picnic. Grab takeaway food from a nearby restaurant, a sandwich from a boulangerie, or create your own picnic spread from the market.

Parc Monceau

This is a little out of the way from the center of Paris located in the 8th arrondissement. Don’t worry about breaking out of postcard Paris. This is worth the trip! Surround yourself with locals and people watching. You can get food to picnic with on Rue de Levi or Eric Kayser down the street before heading into the park.

Place Dauphine

This hidden spot is located behind Notre Dame on île de la cité. You can find the chestnut blossoms in bloom here in late April. Enjoy a picnic and play a game of bocce ball.

Champs de Mars

This is a great place to enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower. You can watch the sunset here or just enjoy an afternoon in the sun. The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour after sunset so it is the perfect place to picnic towards the end of the day. Don’t forget a blanket. We have done two picnics here with My Parisian Life on the Atlas Adventures Paris trip. Yanique arranged for everything for the picnic we just showed up hungry and thirsty.

Palais Royal

This has become a favorite spot of mine after living just around the corner. I walked through here every chance I had. There is something so peaceful about Palais Royal. There isn’t much grass but pack a picnic for the benches or chairs that surround the fountain.

Tuileries Gardens

This is pretty classic Paris. You can sit on the grass in front of the Louvre and watch the sunset behind the Eiffel Tower. Other options include inside the gardens on a bench or one of the many green chairs. I can easily fall asleep in the reclined ones next to the water.

Parc de Sceaux

You will have to make a day trip out of this and head on the RER B just outside the city lines. If you make it for cherry blossom season you will be rewarded with an area covered in cherry blossom trees. You can picnic under the pink blossoms. It is rare (unless it is raining like my visit) to find this place empty. This is a destination but an experience to picnic under the cherry blossoms.

Place des Vosges

This is one of my favorites because this is where I decided to move to Paris. I love this square in Paris and it is always a great place to picnic. Carette is located in the square so you can easily pick up sandwiches here.  The Bastille Market is also open on Thursdays and Sundays and you can pick up picnic foods here.

Jardin des Plantes

One of the things I love about Jardin des Plantes is the blooming trees in the Spring. There are a few large trees that blossom. If you have kids this is a great option because you will be right by the Zoo and The Natural History Museum.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Another classic Paris spot in my opinion. If you are a fan of the Left Bank of Paris this is a great option. The park is pretty large so there are plenty of places to play and picnic for kids and adults. For kids, you can push the boats around on the water in the gardens. Bring a book and enjoy reading in one of the green chairs. Arrive early, as they fill up quickly on a warm day.

The Seine between Notre Dame and île st Louis

You can grab a bottle of wine from the wine shop on the island or at the grocery store. They will give you plastic cups and open your bottle for you so you don’t need a wine opener. Grab cheese, baguette, and charcuterie all on the main street of île st Louis. Set up a picnic on the seine and you are good to go to watch the sunset behind Notre Dame. The best seat in the house on a warm day in Paris. Don’t forget the rosé.

Do you have a favorite place to picnic in Paris? Comment below and share!