Pont des Arts
Where it is: This pedestrian bridge crosses the Seine River, joining the Place de L’Institut de France and the Cour Carrée (the courtyard of the Louvre Palace).
Nearest Metro: Pont Neuf or Louvre-Rivoli (on the right bank); Mabillon (on the left bank)
About the spot: Pont des Arts was once famous for the padlocks secured by visitors to the fences on each side of the bridge. The lock-laden panels have since replaced with special glass sides, but the bridge still draws tourists and locals who bring baguettes, cheese, wine, and blankets to spread out while musicians serenade the onlookers.
Notable shops nearby: Pick up some macarons and pastries at Patisserie Ladurée, located south of the bridge on Rue Bonaparte and Rue Jacob (21 Rue Bonaparte). Try the lemon tart!
Luxembourg Gardens
Where it is: Located in the 6th arrondissement, south of Boulevard Saint-Germain.
Nearest Metro: Luxembourg (RER)
About the spot: The Jardin du Luxembourg were created in 1612 and cover 56 acres with flower gardens, tennis courts, a fountain, over 100 statues, a playground for children, and a carousel. There’s also a path around the perimeter of the gardens and an area where visitors can have a glass of wine and listen to musicians play under a gazebo. The large octagonal basin is popular on weekends when children rent and play with toy sailboats. There is only a tiny spot where visitors can sit on the grass (the southern lawn towards the Observatoire), but there are chairs throughout the gardens.
Notable shops nearby: Dalloyau (2 Place Edmond Rostand), located across the street, is known for its famous Opera cake. They also carry salads, quiches, croissants, and pain au chocolat.
Poilâne (8 rue du Cherche-Midi) is a kilometer away and has been in business since 1932. Its signature country sourdough loaf is shipped around the world.
Bread and Roses (7 Rue de Fleurus) is around the corner from Luxembourg Gardens serving unique breads, quiches, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Place des Vosges
Where it is: Located in the Marais district.
Nearest Metro: Saint-Paul
About the spot: Place des Vosges has the oldest planned square in Paris. When the weather is nice, it is popular for picnics as the square is tree-lined and surrounded by houses dating back to 1612 (famous residents included Cardinal Richelieu and novelist Victor Hugo). Even with art galleries and cafés surrounding the square, it still feels as if you are in a hidden-away park. There are many trees and fountains. Walking and sitting on the grass is permitted.
Notable shops nearby: Just south of Place des Vosges is Rue Saint-Antoine with is many take-out shops and boulangeries.
To the east is the Bastille (Boulevard Richard-Lenoir). On Thursdays (until 2:30) and Sundays (until 3:00 pm) there is a large farmer’s market where fruits, vegetables, breads, prepared side dishes, wines, and roasted meats can be purchased for a picnic.
Musée Rodin
Where it is: 79 Rue de Varenne in the 7th arrondissement, just beside Hôtel National des Invalides.
Nearest Metro: Varenne
About the spot: The Musée is housed in an 18th-century mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and famous sculptures by Rodin, including “The Thinker.” The grounds are so lovely that you could skip the museum altogether in favor of the gardens (for about half the price). Inviting benches throughout are the perfect place to stop for a snack or a sandwich.
Notable shops nearby: Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur (4 Avenue de Villars), located just south of the Musée, has stellar breads, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and petit pizzas.
Champ de Mars
Where it is: The Champ de Mars is synonymous with the Eiffel Tower: it’s the grassy area leading right up to it, which runs southeast toward the École Militaire.
Nearest Metro: La-Motte-Picquet-Grenelle, École Militaire, or Bir-Hakeim
About the spot: Parts of the park are fenced off, but sections are available for picnics and hanging out. You’ll always have a view, and likely be joined by locals. Street vendors near the Tower sell ice cream, drinks, and sandwiches, but you’re better off bringing your own.
Notable shops nearby: Les Gourmandises D’Eiffel (187 rue de Grenelle) is a highly rated boulangerie for breads, sandwiches, pizza, and pastries. It came in 6th for the Best Baguette in Paris in 2011.
Square du Vert-Galant
Where it is: A little park located on the tip of Île de la Cité (one of the islands on the Seine River, between the right and left banks of Paris).
Nearest Metro: Pont Neuf
About the spot: To reach the park, take the stairs down from the Pont Neuf bridge. Enjoy perfect views of the Louvre and Pont des Arts.
Notable shops nearby: On the left bank, just south of the Square, there are a couple of highly regarded boulangeries that also sell sandwiches. Try Eric Kayser (10 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie), Paul (77 Rue de Seine), and Le Dernière Goutte (6 Rue de Bourbon le Château), which has a wide selection of reasonably priced wines (and hosts frequent wine tastings).
Along Canal Saint-Martin
Where it is: Canal Saint-Martin is 4.5 kilometers long, just east of Gare de l’Est. It runs from the Canal de l’Ourcq to the Seine and is reminiscent of Amsterdam’s canals.
Nearest Metro: République, Château-Landon, Louis Blanc, or Jaurès
About the spot: Originally constructed to supply Paris with goods via canal boats, today the area is popular with tourists for the lively restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops.
Notable shops nearby: Du Pain et Des Idées (4 Rue Yves Toudic) is one block west of the canal and is renowned for its pain des amis and superb breads and pastries.
You’ll find La Cantine de Quentin (52 Rue Bichat) just a block east of the canal. This épicerie/wine shop/restaurant carries prepared foods and a great selection of wines.
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Where it is: This sprawling park is in the northeast part of Paris in the 19th arrondissement, east of Canal Saint-Martin.
Nearest Metro: Buttes Chaumont
About the spot: Opened in 1867, Parc des Buttes Chaumont is the fifth largest park in Paris. Its 60 acres include a waterfall, a now-defunct railway bridge, and an artificial lake. The most famous point in the park is the Temple de la Sibylle, inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. It stands at the top of a hill above the lake.
Notable shops nearby: Aux Délices d’Océan (98 Rue de Meaux) is located just north of the park near the Laumière Metro. They carry breads, pâtisserie, sandwiches, and soups.
Along the Seine
Where it is: In summer months, Paris closes all traffic to an area along the Seine. This plan, called the Paris-Plages (or “Paris beaches”), stretches from the Louvre to Pont de Sully.
About the spot: Three miles of temporary, urban beachfront are outfitted with sand, palm trees, deck chairs, beach umbrellas, ice cream, and food vendors. You’ll often happen upon a concert, sand castle competition, or game of beach volleyball. From mid-July to mid-August, the Paris-Plages are open daily from 9 AM to midnight.
Notable shops nearby: Food and drink stands are scattered throughout the area but we like Eric Kayser, known for his high-quality breads, at 18 Rue du Bac, just south of Pont Royal or at 4 Rue de l’Échelle, just north of the Louvre.
Paris Picnic Tips
Two more tips for your Parisian picnic:
Some parks do not allow you to sit (or even walk) on the grass. Watch out for signs that say “Pelouse Interdit” (Keep off the grass) or “Priére de ne pas marcher sur les pelouses” (Please don’t walk on the grass).
Can you drink alcohol in public places? Yes and no. Each arrondissement (region) in Paris has its own rules. Any park or garden owned by the Ville de Paris (City of Paris) states that no alcohol is permitted except at licensed establishments; however, those who are picnicking do it discreetly. What the authorities do not want are drunken, rowdy partiers, though police are quite vigilant in confiscating alcohol. In many areas, drinking in parks is prohibited after 9 PM and if you are caught, you can be fined.
