Picnic in Paris: 10 Places to Go, Plus What You Need to Know

In one of Europe's largest, most wonderfully diverse cities, you might be wondering: what are the best locations for a picnic in Paris? Whether you want an iconic backdrop or a tranquil moment amid nature, Paris has it all.

The banks of the noble River Seine provide many of the best picnic spots in Paris, whether you're picnicking on a bright afternoon or planning an evening banquet.

Try an island picnic on Île Saint-Louis, which is packed with bakeries and fromageries where you can pick up luscious provisions. Square Barye park is a popular waterfront picnic place. Alternatively, head to Île de la Cité, the adjacent island that's home to Notre Dame cathedral, and dine under the weeping willow tree amid the river traffic at Square du Vert-Galant, before strolling back over the 1600s stone bridge, Pont Neuf.

On the right bank of the river, the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries) offers captivating views of sunsets behind the Eiffel Tower. In the elegant park with secluded corners formed by hedges, you'll find your hideaway for a romantic picnic.

• Good to know: The Tuileries Garden is just a few minutes' stroll from the Louvre Museum, making it the perfect spot for some relaxation and sustenance after you've explored the museum's vast collection of world-renowned artworks.
• Closest metro station to Square du Vert-Galant: Pont Neuf.

Lakes and woodland provide a verdant backdrop to your feast at Bois de Boulogne. At the heart of this vast green expanse, once royal hunting grounds, is Parc de Bagatelle, a botanical garden and one of the best parks in Paris for a picnic among flowers. For a similarly bucolic experience closer to the centre, take your delectables to the Jardin des Plantes.

• Good to know: Bois de Boulogne, to the west of the centre, can be reached within 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by RER train. If you're staying on the opposite side of the city, Bois de Vincennes in the east also offers a wonderfully rustic setting for your outdoor Parisian banquet.
• Closest bus station to Parc de Bagatelle: Parc de Bagatelle (Line 43) or Bagatelle - Pré Catelan (Line 244).

This tree-lined waterway is one of the best places to picnic in Paris if you're looking to get off the tourist track, and it's a popular hangout among hip young Parisians. We suggest getting off the metro at Jacques Bonsergent station and picking up some seductively fragrant cheeses from the vast array on offer at La Crèmerie (41 Rue de Lancry). After your picnic, immerse yourself in the area's buzz by stopping in for cocktails at Le Comptoir Général, an eclectic joint that buzzes to the sounds of African and Caribbean music.

This pathway includes an elevated park 10 metres above the street on a former viaduct, offering a unique picnic experience. The promenade is lined with rosebushes and bamboo, and you may even pick up a scent of Provence from the lavender. The elevated portion, which offers you the quirky sensation of savouring a rooftop picnic in Paris, runs from behind Opéra Bastille to Jardin de Reuilly.

• Good to know: Close to the Opéra Bastille side, another picturesque picnic spot is Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in the city, dating from the 1600s.
• Closest metro station: Bastille.

Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) is a beloved picnic place thanks to its views of the opulent 17th-century Luxembourg Palace (as well as its convenient location near lots of central hotels). Along with a dedicated picnic area, the 25-hectare grounds feature a geometric forest, the lavish Medici Fountain and an orchid collection, as well as a playground for kids.

• Closest RER station: Luxembourg.

Parisian architectural diversity is on show at Parc André Citroën, where sleek, futuristic buildings are set on the former site of a Citroën car factory. The park leads onto the riverside, making it a wonderful locale for a romantic picnic. You can also build up an appetite (or work off your feast), as there's a ball games spot, a place for ping pong, and even a tethered hot-air balloon for rides.

• Closest metro station: Javel - André Citroën or Lourmel.

You can't picnic directly in front of the Eiffel Tower, but the nearby lawn of Champ de Mars offers views from a perfect distance while you delve into your gourmet basket. It's especially charming at twilight when the lights begin twinkle on the tower. For a hotel experience as memorable as the views, book a room at the sophisticated Sofitel Paris Baltimore Tour Eiffel.

• Closest metro stations to Champ de Mars: École Militaire or Bir-Hakeim.

Thirty minutes south of the city by RER, Château de Sceaux is a charming country manor with formal gardens. Don't miss Rue Houdan just north of the estate, a pedestrianised street revered for its pâtisseries and artisanal food stores offering cheese, charcuterie and chocolate. If you time your visit to the park for March or April, you might be lucky enough to catch the magnificent cherry blossoms.

• Closest RER station: Sceaux.

This 1800s park in the 19th arrondissement was built on a former quarry and provides an unusual setting for your open-air spread. Most of the lawns are on quite steep slopes, so you might have to get creative keeping your glasses upright, but you'll also get exceptional views of Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Quirky features include the Roman-style Temple de la Sybille, a waterfall inside a grotto and a puppet theatre.

• Closest metro station: Buttes Chaumont.

Versailles, roughly one hour by car or train from Paris, is arguably the most famous palace in the world, and it's worth combining your sightseeing visit with a picnic in the magnificent grounds. There are multiple dedicated areas to unfurl your blanket, including next to the Lake of the Swiss Guards, opposite the Orangery and on Saint Anthony Plain.

• Closest RER station: Versailles Château Rive Gauche.

So, what should you eat on a picnic in Paris, and where can you find the most delicious food?

First, take your pick from these delicious hamper fillers:

• Macarons
• Pâté
• Quiche
• French bread such as baguettes
• Soft cheese for spreading, like Camembert or Brie
• Charcuterie
• Figs to complement cured meats
• Fruits and salad
• Croissants
• Champagne to make your picnic extra special
• White or rosé wine, or a light red like a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley
• Clafoutis cherry dessert
• Relishes and dips like garlic aïoli

Next, decide where to buy your picnic food in Paris:

• For charcuterie, try Caractère de Cochon at 42 Rue Charlot, 75003. 
• Check out the cheeses at Saisons Fromagerie at 30 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003.
• For baked treats, try Boulangerie BO&MIE Louvre-Rivoli at 91 Rue de Rivoli, 75001, or A. Lacroix Pâtissier at 11 Quai de Montebello, 75005.
• Tour the 1700s cellars before buying your wine at Les Caves du Louvre (52 Rue de l'Arbre Sec, 75001).
• For something different, try DonAntónia Pastelaria, a Portuguese bakery near Canal Saint-Martin (8 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010).

If you'd prefer the indulgence of having a basket prepared just for you, order online from Love Picnic Paris.

Remember, enjoying a glass of Champagne or a fine wine can elevate your picnic, but savouring it responsibly ensures the day remains delightful for everyone.

When you're planning a picnic in Paris, don't forget to include these must-have items in your basket:

• Picnic blanket
• Glasses or plastic cups
• Cutlery
• Plates
• Sunshade, beret hat and sunscreen
• Corkscrew
• Cheese knife

Other essential things to know:

• Paris can be cold and rainy in winter, so spring, summer and autumn are best for a picnic.
• Some areas, including the Champ de Mars and Canal Saint-Martin, have restrictions on alcohol consumption, particularly after 4pm. Research the area you choose for your picnic, and look out for signs.
• It's best to take a bag for trash, as bins at Paris parks get very full.

Now you know where to go and what to take, we hope you adore your picnic in Paris!