One of my favorite things to do in Paris, solo or with friends, is to picnic. As soon as the weather warms up, the parks are full of Parisians sharing baguettes, cheese, and a bottle of wine on the grass. It is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the city without spending much (hint: budget-friendly), and you don’t need to plan ahead. Stop into a boulangerie for bread, a fromagerie for cheese, and a wine shop for a bottle of rosé or champagne. Below are my favorite places to picnic in Paris.

Some of my best memories with friends who live in Paris involve impromptu picnics where each of us brings something from salads, cheeses, Rosé, and something delicious for dessert. Phones down, and you just soak up the blue skies and chat for hours. My favorite Parisian picnic was in the Tuileries on a summer day. Friends invited friends, and we had an impromptu picnic until after sunset, meeting new people and making connections for a lifetime. It is where I met my photographer, Katie Donnelly, and my web designer, Rachelle.

You can picnic with friends, but you can also picnic solo. Luxembourg Gardens is dreamy in a green chair, with a good book, a takeaway coffee, and a croissant in the morning.

Parc Monceau: A Local Favorite in the 8th Arrondissement

Parc Monceau is a walk or metro ride 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, a local market street, or at Eric Kayser before heading into the park. You will find a good number of locals enjoying lunch or having a picnic blanket in the grass under the trees. It is the ideal place if you are looking for something a little less touristy and more of a local experience. Parc Monceau is beautiful in different seasons and not far from the Arc de Triomphe.

Place Dauphine: A Hidden Square Behind Notre Dame

Place Dauphine is one of my favorite squares in Paris. It is a hidden spot behind Notre Dame on Île de la Cité and easy to miss if you don’t know it is there. The chestnut blossoms bloom here in late April, which provides shade from the summer heat. Inside the square, you will find restaurants, cafés, and benches to enjoy a sandwich or a book. There is no grassy area for a blanket, but it still makes for a perfect picnic spot in the middle of Paris. Enjoy a game of pétanque here with other Parisians after your picnic.

Picnic at the Eiffel Tower: Champ de Mars

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, you will find the sizeable grass-filled space of Champ de Mars. This is a great place to enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower. You can watch the sunset here with champagne or 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. The last sparkle is at midnight.

We had a catered picnic for a larger group, but if it is just a small number of people, you can gather what you need nearby and transport everything in a basket.

Champs de Mars is a famous Parisian picnic spot that gets crowded on weekends and holidays. It is the ideal spot for Bastille Day and the fireworks show in Paris.

Nearby, you will find Rue Cler. It is the best place to pick up everything you need for a spontaneous picnic. The cheese shop on the street is fantastic, with a wide variety of cheeses. Next door is a wine shop where you can grab a crisp rosé or champagne. 

Palais Royal: Picnic in the 1st Arrondissement Rose Garden

Palais Royal has become a favorite place of mine after living just around the corner. I walked through here every chance I had and always found something so peaceful about Palais Royal. There isn’t much grass, so pack a picnic for the benches or chairs surrounding the fountain.

You will discover Parisians enjoying the French gardens in the summer on their lunch break, lined up along the Palais Royal on a sunny day. The Palais Royal is filled with trees and is a great spot to escape the hot Parisian sun during a heat wave.

Tuileries Gardens: A Classic Paris Picnic Spot

The Tuileries Gardens can be found in front of the Louvre. This is a popular park for both Parisians and tourists. It is one of the best picnic spots in Paris for its expansive green spaces and gardens. You can’t get more classic than having a picnic in the Tuileries.

Sit on the grass before 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. Close by, you can grab a baguette sandwich at a local boulangerie, a cup of coffee from Café Kitsuné, or a pastry at the Ritz Comptoir, which sells pastries and sandwiches.

Parc de Sceaux: For the Cherry Blossom Lovers

Parc de Sceau is located south of Paris, just outside the city limits. To get here, you must make a day trip of this and take the RER B. If you make it for cherry blossom season, you will be rewarded with an area blanketed in cherry blossoms. It is one of the best picnic areas in Paris and a favorite spot of mine, especially during cherry blossom season. 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 for tourists and locals, and a picnic experience under the cherry blossoms. The town of Sceaux is adorable, and you will find cute streets and houses around the large park worth exploring.

Place des Vosges: Paris Picnic Spot in The Marais

Place des Vosges is a beautiful square on the right bank of the heart of the Marais. I have always been drawn to this area of Paris. There are official picnic dates when the green grass is opened for the season, starting in April and ending in October. On a warm weather day, the grass will be filled with Parisians. People of all ages enjoy this beautiful park in the city’s center. You will find a space for little ones to run around and a sandbox to keep them busy.

For food options nearby. Carette is in the square, so you can easily pick up sandwiches here. The Bastille Market is also open on Thursdays and Sundays, where you can pick up picnic foods. I will typically pick up food at the Bastille Market or the Boulangerie 28 Beaumarchais, just 5 minutes walking from here. They offer baguette sandwiches, quiche, and pastries for lunch or afternoon snacks.

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes is a destination in Paris. The gardens are in the 5th arrondissement, near Strada café, one of my favorite coffee shops. I recently discovered Atelier Huré, a nearby bakery perfect for picking up baguette sandwiches for an afternoon at the park. In the spring, you will find some of the most giant blooming cherry blossom trees. It is a must-visit if you are in the area during the weeks of blossom season.  If you have kids, this option is excellent because you will be right by the Zoo and The Natural History Museum.

Jardin du Luxembourg: Picnic Spots in Paris

Luxembourg Gardens is a classic picnic spot on the left bank of Paris. The park is large, so there are plenty of places to play and picnic for kids and adults. You can push the boats around the water in the gardens for kids. Bring a book and enjoy reading in one of the green chairs. You will want to arrive early, as they fill up quickly on a warm day. Pack a picnic basket or bag filled with your favorite items for a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens.

Explore the local markets nearby to pick up picnic supplies, including Marché Monge, such as seasonal fruits, cheeses, and a baguette. Also, for an easy grab-and-go, the Comptoirs Les Deux Magots is a great option.

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Where to Picnic in Paris: Along the Banks of the Seine

One of the most popular spots for a picnic is along the banks of the Seine River. You can grab a bottle of wine from the wine shop on the island of Île St. Louis or at the grocery store. They will give you plastic cups and open your bottle, 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 in the perfect spot to watch the sunset behind Notre Dame on a warm day in Paris. This is one of the most romantic spots for a Parisian picnic. I hope this inspired you to create your picnic in Paris, solo or with your best friends or a loved one. You can’t go wrong in any of these locations.

What to Wear to A Picnic in Paris

Sun essentials are always top priority when spending the spring and summer in Paris. A foldable hat like this one from Cuyana is great for keeping the sun out of your eyes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Linen keeps you cool from top to bottom, either a breezy matching set or a sundress.

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