Top 5 places for a picnic in Paris

If you are coming to Paris between May and September, you will probably succumb to the temptation of having lunch at the terrace of a café. French food, wine and sun: nothing beats that, right? But we often forget that we can enjoy nearly the same thing for way cheaper. Here is our top 5 places for a picnic in Paris!

Picnics are real time and money savers and Paris is full of pretty scenery that are well worth lots of restaurants. As a local and a student, I have been experiencing about a hundred of these outdoor meals. Here is my top 5 places for a picnic in Paris. Are you sick of restaurants? Why not simply have a sandwich in a nice area? During the warmer months, it simply is the best way to enjoy an amazing lunch in the city! You don’t have to wait to get seated at a table. You only need to grab some delicious food in a Parisian bakery, pick a sandwich and the yummiest pastries!

A picnic will allow you to enjoy the beautiful parks and gardens of the city, yummy food and it will allow you to quickly head back to your visit of the city, because you won’t waste time searching for a place to eat or to be seated. Read on and find out my top 5 places for a picnic in Paris!

In the company of the Iron Lady: Champ de Mars

If you are not really fond of touristy areas and crowds in general, do not go to the Champs de Mars. The 24 ha of grass at the Eiffel Tower‘s feet is part of my list for many reasons, but its quietness is not one of them!

The Champs de Mars is usually very crowded, because both locals and travelers love to have a relaxing moment there just by the Eiffel Tower. Don’t worry, there will always remain a little bit of room for you to sit and enjoy the nice open view under the sun. I always recommend the Champs de Mars to those who love lively places and Paris’s classics! If you want to be with the locals while enjoying Paris greatest landmark, the Champs de Mars is the best place for you to have a picnic in Paris!

Surround yourself with locals: Canal Saint-Martin

Do you want to experience a Paris other than the one you see in postcards? Go to the Canal Saint Martin. The atmosphere there is really unique and authentic.

On Sundays, the banks are closed to traffic and many Parisians have a walk or a bicycle ride along the canal surmounted by nice bridges and catwalks. It might be crowded in summer at noon, but mainly with locals. You can sit on the edge of the water and enjoy either the shadow under the trees or you can enjoy the sun, as you like!

Play the pétanque with Parisians: Les Arènes de Lutèce

Dating back to the first century, these remains of a roman amphitheater are ideal to have a picnic in Paris, known as the Arènes de Lutèce. You will find this place in the charming Latin Quarter!

You will be comfortably seated on the arenas surrounded with greeneries. And although you might not be witnessing any gladiator combat, on weekends, people usually come to play football or pétanque, a form of boules typical of southern France: the goal is to throw heavy metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a “cochonnet“. Want to try this out? We have a special tour for that!

Enjoy the moment at the City Island: Le square du Vert-Galant

Nestled at the tip of the Ile de la Cité, this charming garden would have been the highlight of my top 5 places for a picnic in Paris if it was not already one of the favorite spots of Parisian weed-smokers on evenings…

But you can definitely go there for lunch! The view is gorgeous! In this peaceful haven cut from the lively center of the island by the Pont Neuf, which is the oldest bridge of the city, you will feel like you are standing on the deck of a boat.

Have a romantic picnic: Le jardin Saint-Gilles-Grand-Veneur

© Lionel Allorge

You need to note this long name down before you forget it. This hidden garden is perfect if you want your picnic in Paris to be extra romantic!

In the heart of the trendy Marais neighborhood, you enter a real French garden, with its well-trimmed groves, stone benches and rose arbors. There, even a bag of crisps can make your lunch glamorous!

My top 5 places for a picnic in Paris is over! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it was useful to you! I would love to hear from you and about your picnics! If you’ve followed at least one of my suggestions, please take a picture and tag us on Instagram! Let us know about your thoughts and experiences while in the city of Paris! There are so many parks, gardens, hidden gems such as the jardin Saint-Gilles-Grand-Veneur that will mesmerize you and provide you unforgettable moments! If you need further information about anything, don’t hesitate to contact us! Also, join us in one of our tours! Our local guides will walk the city with you, show you all the best places and tell you the most interesting aspects of our history! I hope to see you soon in Paris!