There are a few places where you can spread out your checkered tablecloth, unpack your picnic basket and enjoy a quick lunch.
Summer is THE season for picnics. Although some lawns are not always open to the public, many green spaces welcome picnickers with open arms. Here is a small selection of parks and gardens where you can spread out your blanket and basket in peace.
Among the must-see spots, head first to the centre of the capital.
Step back in time in the elegant Louis XIII Square. Sitting at the foot of the equestrian statue, you are in the heart of the Place des Vosges, one of the oldest and most beautiful squares in Paris. To continue in the spirit of a royal picnic, head to the Tuileries Garden, designed by André Le Nôtre. It is a comfortable place with large lawns where you can admire the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and the Champs-Élysées. the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and the Champs-Élysées!
If you like beautiful panoramas and large lawns, don't miss the Champ-de-Mars park, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which offers a beautiful view of several of the capital's monuments: the Iron Lady, of course, but also the Trocadéro and the École Militaire.
To relax in some ‘secret’ gardens, head to the Marais, and more specifically to the Jardin des Rosiers Joseph-Migneret (formerly Francs-Bourgeois Rosiers), nestled behind the Hôtel de Coulanges, the Anne Frank Garden, at the end of Impasse Berthaud, or the very peaceful Jardin des Arts - Albert Schweitzer , which offers a view of the flamboyant Gothic façade of the Hôtel de Sens. Other little havens of peace are hidden away in Paris: Square Suzanne Buisson, the Alpine Garden, Jardin Catherine Labouré, and more.
The very refreshing and spacious André-Citroën Park and Parc de la Villette promise a pleasant time without feeling cramped. Other green oases include Montsouris Park, one of the richest in flora and fauna, and the Jardin des Plantes are perfect for picnicking in the shade of the trees. Parc Monceau offers a journey back in time, and the Jardin du Luxembourg is a must-see.
On the outskirts of the capital, the Bois de Boulogne and Vincennes are home to several gardens and are perfect for feeling like you're in the middle of nature, just a short metro ride away!
Finally, the Parc de la Cité Universitaire is a 30-hectare preserved area where you can relax and unwind. A veritable garden city, it offers a tour of the world thanks to its many foreign pavilions: the United States, Italy, Morocco, Japan and more.
Extra info: This summer, many parks and gardens are staying open late into the night!
What could be better than spreading out a picnic blanket by the water to feel like you're on holiday without leaving Paris? If you really want to feel like you're somewhere else, head to the marina and Jardin de l'Arsenal, at the foot of Place de la Bastille for a break in front of the boats!
For a more urban version, you'll always find a spot in the 10 hectares of the Parc Rives de Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whether on the left bank or the right bank. Choose your favourite monument and pose in front of it! Alternatively, choose your favourite spot based on the atmosphere you're looking for: Square du Vert-Galant for its dream location, the Quai de la Gare for dancing in the open air, the Quai Saint-Bernard and its open-air sculpture museum, the Jardin de l'Archipel des Berges de Seine Niki-de-Saint-Phalle for its suspended spaces...
If you're looking for a festive, joyful and friendly atmosphere, nothing beats the Parisian canals between the Canal de l'Ourcq, the Quai de Jemmapes and the Canal Saint-Martin! During the day, you'll come across local workers and young people on their lunch break, while in the evening, the atmosphere is decidedly more lively!
Finally, if a picnic by the water isn't enough for you, why not have one ON the water? You can now rent small boats to explore the canals of Paris and the northern suburbs, notably at the Akwa water sports centre.
A picnic with a view? Yes, please! To do so, head for one of Paris' hills. Montmartre, with its small squares, legendary steps and unique atmosphere, is a privileged place to embrace all the beauty of the City of Light. As a bonus, the neighbourhood is full of great places to find the best products for your meal.
A favourite meeting place for lovers, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offers a very romantic setting for a picnic, with a waterfall, cave, belvedere and century-old trees. Not far away, the Butte Bergeyre is less crowded but just as pleasant for getting a bird's-eye view and admiring the sunset.
Also, to see Paris at your feet, head to Belleville Park, a pretty hanging garden high above the city, with gentle slopes and quiet spaces that are perfect for relaxing.
On the outskirts of Paris, Mont Valérien and the Domaine de Saint-Cloud offer space, tranquillity and breathtaking views!
To make your life easier, some shops and restaurants offer ready-made picnic baskets... Please note that to ensure delivery on time, remember to order in advance.
What's more, if you can now have all your favourite restaurants delivered anywhere in Paris, some places offer specially designed baskets!
For a picnic with an oriental flavour, order from Liza, a must-visit Lebanese restaurant in Paris. Petrossian also offers delicious gourmet cold baskets.
Other big names in gastronomy offer gourmet baskets: the Trianon Palace in Versailles, the legendary restaurant La Grande Cascade, in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne...
Paris offers a wealth of outdoor activities for enjoying the city in a different way. Rent a bike to explore the banks of the Seine or the Bois de Vincennes, a true haven of nature. Cruises on the Seine, open-air markets and outdoor cinema screenings in summer add to the charm of Paris in the open air.
