| shop the dress |
One of my all-time favorite things to do in Paris, besides wandering, is to picnic. I’m a big picnic-er in general and my picnics at home tend to be big productions full of Pinterest worthy details and lots of planning. That being said, as much as I love setting up pretty picnics while I’m at home, the last thing I want to do while traveling is lots of planning or lugging around tons of stuff. My travel picnics tend to be bare bones and spontaneous- which I feel adds a certain charm and sense of adventure. Even though this post is all about a spontaneous picnic, it never hurts to have a few good tips up your sleeve. Read on to learn how to plan the perfect Paris picnic.
1. Shop all the essentials on Rue Cler
Rue Cler is a must visit! It’s a market street in the 7th arrondissement full of cafes and a specialty shop for almost everything you can think of like cheese, bread, flowers, wine, cookies, whipped cream, fish…! It’s where the locals go to shop and of course the whole street is super cute and charming. I suggest going a few hours before your picnic so you have plenty of time to wander and explore the street.
Here are some of my favorite spots to check out:
- MARIAGE FRERES: Β A tea shop! All of their teas are really high quality. If you’re a tea lover like me, you’ll go crazy over this place. There’s a store in the front and a cafe in the back.
- AMORINO: My second favorite gelato shop in Paris! {My first favorite is Berthillon, the original location in Ile Saint-Louis} The gelatos are shaped into a flower and you must order a gelato filled macaron to be placed on top!
- CAFE DU MARCHE, TRIBECA, L’ECLAIR, BRASSERIE AUX PTT: If you’re able to have a small meal and still have an appetite for your picnic! All four of these spots are fantastic for food, drinks, and people watching.
Shopping your essentials:
I highly recommend just going into whichever stores catch your eye, but here are some suggestions:
- HALLES BOSQUET: For your fruits, vegetables, and bottles of water. Shop the outside baskets for the best deals and feel free to bargain or flirt your way into even better deals. π
- LE REPAIRE DE BACCHUS or LES GRANDES CAVES: For your wine! Let them know what you’ll be eating and they will recommend a great wine to go along with it! We were shocked by how well priced all the wine was. We picked up some exquisite wines for under $20.
- FROMAGERIE: Oh, we loved how particular our fromager {is that a word?} was. He had very strong opinions about which cheeses would be a good fit for our picnic and which jams matched our cheeses. Just trust whatever your cheese specialist recommends and get more than you think you’ll eat. You won’t regret it. We went back twice.
- RONDE DE PAINS: The only boulangerie on the street! Pick up a baguette or two here!
- FRANCOIS PRALUS or A LA MERE DE FAMILLE or LEONIDAS: What’s a picnic without dessert? Pick up some gourmet chocolates here!
2. Pick your preferred location
The really convenient part of shopping your picnic goods on Rue Cler is that it’s really close to 2 awesome picnic spots:
- CHAMP DE MARS: The quintessential Eiffel Tower picnic! This should probably be a must on every Paris bucket list. There’s a large grassy area and you can almost always find a spot. Be sure to stay till after sunset so you can watch the magical twinkling light show the Eiffel puts on!
- Along the SEINE: My personal pick. Β Since the Seine is 482 miles, there are tons of picnic spots and views to chose from. There’s one spot that’s a quick and easy walk from Rue Cler. Here’s where to go: from Rue Cler, head north on Avenue Bosquet. Turn right when you see the Seine and go downstairs. You’ll see lots of people gathered there for picnics. There are a few concrete benches you can sit on, but we preferred to sit at the edge of the river with our feet dangling down.
Here are some great spots to view the Eiffel Tower!
3. Be creative with sourcing necessities
Sure you could be prepared and bring all the useful necessities you need with you like a corkscrew, plates, a blanket, but who really wants to lug all that stuff around? Not me! Instead, we picked up some makeshift items while doing our picnic shopping. Yes, it was bare bones. Yes, it wasn’t very pretty. But it did the job, with the least amount of hassle. I consider that a win.
- INSTEAD OF A BLANKET: Ask the shops for extra bags. Sit on those bags in place of a blanket.
- UTENSILS AND SERVEWARE: Ask the fromagerie or another shop. They were able to give us plates and napkins. The wine shop was able to give us cups. We weren’t able to source a plastic knife, so we just used our fingers. c’est la vie.
- INSTEAD OF A CORKSCREW: Ask the wine shop to open the wine(s) for you. They will happily oblige!
4. Relax and enjoy
A big thing we noticed was how causal and relaxed everyone was. We had assumed all the locals would have fancy picnics, but the majority just had a bottle of wine or 6-pack of beers and a couple bags of chips. Definitely not what we were expecting! We didn’t notice anyone but us taking photos. The majority sat there for hours, enjoying the view and the company they were with. So do as the locals do. Kick off your shoes. Sit there for hours. Enjoy the sunset and your wine. Don’t check your Instagram. Don’t worry about anything. You’re in Paris and it doesn’t get better than this.
Hotels Close to The Best Picnic Spots:
3 Star: Hotel EKTA
4 Star: West End Hotel
5 Star: Hotel Le Narcisse Blanc & Spa
Addie says
Love this guide! I did a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower when I was in Paris with friends and it is one of my absolute favourite travel memories!
happilyeveradventures says
It’s amazing how sometimes the smallest things can be the best memories! My Paris picnics are always my favorite moment of the trip.
Corinne says
You make it look so picture perfect and easy! I love how you could customize this to your own tastes and preferences. And it’s a memory you’d never forget of Paris. I’d love to do this!
happilyeveradventures says
It was SO easy, which I feel added to the fun! I do hope you do this if ever in Paris. It’s my favorite Paris memory!
Rhiannon says
This is adorable! I love picnics π
happilyeveradventures says
Aw thanks! Me too!
Bri says
I love this! I was in Paris last month but it was only for 3 days so we weren’t able to do something like this but the next time I visit, I’m making it a priority! Plus, I am totally going to pick up two loafs of bread because French bread is to die for lol.
happilyeveradventures says
3 days in Paris is much too short! But I feel like I could stay for months and still say that, haha. Totally agree with you, the bread is amazing. We even picked some up when we were leaving to eat on the plane.
Grace Silla says
I loved Paris! And I really need to go back someday and definitely do a picnic. I feel like it should be a bucket list item for everyone! p.s. I love all that fruit π
happilyeveradventures says
Yes, you do! A Paris picnic is a MUST! I can’t wait to see your photos when you go back!
tracy says
I love how small events can be the most magic of memories! What a wonderful idea.
happilyeveradventures says
I agree! It always seems to be the small moments that I remember for years to come.
Stephanie says
Great post! Picnicing is the best way to do Paris in my opinion ππ». That’s so funny that you found Amorino! It’s a chain where I’m from in New York, and it’s also one of my favorites, their stracciatella is to die for.
happilyeveradventures says
You know what’s so funny? We have it in LA where I live and I’ve NEVER been!!! Do you feel like the NYC one is just as good as the Paris one? I’m so scared to try the LA one and ruin it for myself.
Kay says
Omg this is literally the perfect list!! I can’t wait to go back to Paris so I can have a picnic!
happilyeveradventures says
Ah, I hope you do get to go back soon! Paris is my favorite!
stellaencina says
wow! this sounds like a great idea for an activity even for tourists! i will definitely do this when i visit paris! very loveyly post!
happilyeveradventures says
It’s my absolute favorite touristic thing to do in Paris- and even better that locals love it too!
Christina says
Love the guide! I never went to Francois Pralus, A La Mere De Famille or Leonidas. We went to Pierre Herme, but now I am very curious to see what chocolates and delicious goods those shops have! Beautiful pictures as always by the way π
happilyeveradventures says
Isn’t that one of the best things about Paris? You can NEVER run out of food places to try! I swear my list is giant and no trip ever helps me narrow it down! Thank you for the kind words on our photos!
Ufuoma says
Love the bright and colourful photos. Makes me want to do a picnic. But here I am in Canada where it has gotten pretty cold fast. A picnic in Paris right now will be perfect but since I’m not there, I can look at your wonderful photos. Great guide.
happilyeveradventures says
We are in Los Angeles and it’s SO hot! It’s hard to believe that it’s already fall weather somewhere else! Enjoy the pumpkin everything if that’s your jam and hope you get to go to Paris soon!
Anshula says
I love this post! A picnic in Paris has been on my bucket list for a while now. I would love to visit Amorino and grab some gelato (and it is shaped into a flower…I’m suffering from cuteness overload.)
happilyeveradventures says
Haha it really is cuteness overload! I hope you get to visit Paris again soon!
Amy says
This looks so dreamy!
happilyeveradventures says
Thanks, it was!
Tamar says
Picnics are my fave in general but when you add Paris into the mix, it becomes a top experience! I love how ingrained it is in Parisian society especially along the Seine. I think everyone should have a picnic in Paris and this was an awesome guide on how to get your essentials!
happilyeveradventures says
I agree, everything is even more magical in Paris! We loved seeing how much Parisians value their social time and have such a great work life balance. It really inspired us to start adding fun activities like outdoor picnics to our weekday routine!
Briana says
Love love love! I will definitely be planning a picnic in Paris on my next trip. Love the dress as well… very pretty in pink!
happilyeveradventures says
Oh I hope you do! It was my favorite activity in Paris!
Brianne says
Is there a problem with pickpockets and peddlers at the Champ de Mars? Is there a police presence at night?
happilyeveradventures says
Always a good idea to be aware of pickpockets in the crowded areas and tourist hotspots! I personally have never had a problem, but it’s always a good idea to be aware. There is some police presence at night.