Cheese and Wine on the Grass — The Best Places to Picnic in Paris
Paris is a perfect city for picnics. When the warmth of springtime comes around, Parisians and tourists alike will flop down on the grass of their favorite parks and enjoy lengthy feasts of baguettes, cheese, olives, and wine while chatting and admiring the views.
This city has so many lovely spots in this city for al fresco dining, as well as marketplaces where you can cheaply fill your picnic basket with yummy treats. Picnicking in Paris is also a great way to stay within your travel budget — it’s much cheaper than dining in a restaurant.
Pont Des Arts
One of the best settings for a picnic is the pedestrian bridge across the Seine called the Pont des Arts, or “Bridge of the Arts.”
It spans the river between the Louvre and the French Institute. From this bridge you can see the Musee D’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and the spires of Ile de la Cité.
You will usually see quite a few people picnicking here, often with someone playing a guitar to add to the atmosphere. A picnic on the Pont Des Arts is best at sunset, so you can watch the changing colors of the sky reflected in the river.
Parc de la Villette
This Parisian park is truly impressive, with 12 different themed gardens including a mirror garden and a dragon garden as well as open-air theatres with cabaret, concerts, plays, and film screenings. Along with the equestrian park and the submarine, you will find plenty to do here after you have eaten all of your picnic provisions.
Parc Des Buttes Chaumont
If you want a quiet picnic amid nature, head away from the center of the city to the Parc Des Buttes Chaumont, where you will see wild landscaping, rugged rock formations, a small lake, a waterfall, and rolling hills. You’ll find many places to sip and munch while admiring the views of Paris.
To get there, take the Metro to the 19th arrondissement and get off at the Buttes Chaumont.
Champ De Mars
What could be more quintessentially Parisian than picnicking in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower? The Champ de Mars is the huge grassy area right at the base of the tower, so feel free to spread your picnic blanket anywhere — there is no bad view. If you go in the evening, you can watch the tower sparkling every hour with 20,000 dazzling camera flashes.
These are just a few perfect picnic spots where you can enjoy an outdoor feast. The city has countless other beautiful spots to dine.
Keep in mind that consuming alcohol is permitted in moderation on public benches and canals and along the river, but not in parks and gardens. Many of the parks close by nightfall, so if you hear the garden keeper blowing the whistle, it’s time to pack up and go.
