The best places to picnic in the sun in Paris

Published by La Rédac · Photos by Rizhlaine de Sortiraparis · Published on April 1st, 2023 at 05:00 p.m.
The beautiful days are here and the urge to have a picnic can be felt. Paris and its surroundings are full of places to eat in the middle of nature and meet other lovers of the tablecloth and the wicker basket to put on the grass. We reveal you the best spots !

What a pleasure for all Parisians to get out sausages, baguettes, red and white checkered tablecloths and beverages to sit quietly on the lawns of the capital, at the first ray of sunshine. Yes, but you still have to find theperfect place, ideal to meet with family, couple or friends, and which is not crowded at any time of the day! Fortunately, we're here to reveal our favorite places to picnic all summer long in Paris!

Marina and Arsenal garden

Port de l'ArsenalPort de l'ArsenalPort de l'ArsenalPort de l'Arsenal

The Arsenal garden follows the course of the water. It alternates between shaded areas, pergolas and sunny areas. It connects the Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine, between the quai de la Rapée and the place de la Bastille. It was once a cargo port that became a marina since 1983. Today, it is part of the network of Parisian canals and forms the border between the 4th and 12th arrondissements of Paris. Taken by storm by Parisians as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear, it is not necessary to delay to find a place on the grass.

Gardens of the archipelago of the Berges de Seine Niki de Saint-Phalle

Visuel Paris Quai de SeineVisuel Paris Quai de SeineVisuel Paris Quai de SeineVisuel Paris Quai de Seine

The Rives de Seine park offers a wealth of spots for those who want to put down their picnic basket. Discover here the gardens of the Niki-de-Saint-Phalle archipelago, with an area of 1,800 m². These floating gardens are located on the quays along the Seine between the Invalides bridge and the Alma bridge. You can discover 5 floating islands where you can play, sunbathe and picnic from 10am to 8pm.

Esplanade du Champ-de-Mars

Visuel Champs de Mars Tour EiffelVisuel Champs de Mars Tour EiffelVisuel Champs de Mars Tour EiffelVisuel Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel

Famous and vast public garden, entirely open and located in Paris in the 7th district, between the Eiffel Tower in the northwest and theMilitary School in the southeast, the Champ de Mars is rich of a bicentennial history. Very touristic and even rather well appreciated by Parisians, you will have to know how to make your way during the beautiful sunny days.

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Georges Brassens Park

Où pique-niquer à Paris pendant l'été 2019 ? Où pique-niquer à Paris pendant l'été 2019 ? Où pique-niquer à Paris pendant l'été 2019 ? Où pique-niquer à Paris pendant l'été 2019 ?
One of the largest green spaces in Paris created since the Second Empire, it is the Georges Brassens park: an artificial hill for climbing, beehives, vines, lawns, ponds, playgrounds for children, pony rides, merry-go-rounds, ping-pong tables... In short, here is a place of life and relaxation that picnic lovers particularly appreciate for its animations and its tranquility.

Bois de Vincennes

Bois de VincennesBois de VincennesBois de VincennesBois de Vincennes
Among the largest green spaces of the capital, there is the Bois de Vincennes with its lawns and its 38 picnic tables. With an area of 995 hectares mainly wooded and its 4 lakes, it is the ideal place for a charming picnic by the water(naked or not).

Floral Park

Le Parc Floral, un magnifique écrin de verdure à ParisLe Parc Floral, un magnifique écrin de verdure à ParisLe Parc Floral, un magnifique écrin de verdure à ParisLe Parc Floral, un magnifique écrin de verdure à Paris

In the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, you can discover this themed garden: a small wood, exhibition pavilions and a great playground give a magical setting to picnics on the grass at the Parc Floral. Under the trees, near the slides, wooden tables allow many families to eat their salads, sandwiches and other ready-made menus. Note that the entrance to the park is not free and costs 2,50€ at full price.

The Buttes Chaumont

Parc des Buttes ChaumontParc des Buttes ChaumontParc des Buttes ChaumontParc des Buttes Chaumont
Inaugurated in 1867, this public garden is probably one of the most romantic in Paris. The Buttes Chaumont is twelve hectares of lawns on steep slopes, enhanced by green groves and flower beds. At the foot of the butte, a lake, in the center of which stands the charming temple of the Sibyl. You can sit at the Rosa Bonheur and the Pavillon du Lac, or you can opt for a picnic a few steps away, in an alley shaded by secular trees, or near the grotto housing a waterfall.

Jardin des Plantes

Visuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHN
At the Jardin des Plantes, several picnic areas with tables and chairs are available to visitors. It is possible to picnic on a lawn next to the Great Greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes, but note that the other lawns are forbidden.

Bois de Boulogne

Bois de BoulogneBois de BoulogneBois de BoulogneBois de Boulogne
The Bois de Boulogne, located in the 16th arrondissement, offers 850 hectares of relaxation. It is one of the green lungs of the capital. There are many picnic areas to relax and have a good time.

Jardin d'Acclimatation

Le Village des Manèges provisoire du Jardin d'AcclimatationLe Village des Manèges provisoire du Jardin d'AcclimatationLe Village des Manèges provisoire du Jardin d'AcclimatationLe Village des Manèges provisoire du Jardin d'Acclimatation
In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne nestles the superb landscaped park of the Jardin d'Acclimatation. Now transformed into an amusement park, the place remains the ideal spot for picnics and playgrounds for children. Note that you have to pay an entrance fee of 5€ per person.

Luxembourg Garden

Visuel Paris jardin du LuxembourgVisuel Paris jardin du LuxembourgVisuel Paris jardin du LuxembourgVisuel Paris jardin du Luxembourg

Located on the edge of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the Jardin du Luxembourg covers an area of 25 hectares. The garden is divided into a French and an English part. Between the two there is a geometric forest and a large pond. It is an ideal spot for a picnic in the heart of the capital.

Tuileries Garden

Visuel Paris, vue du Meurice suite Etoile - Jardin des TuileriesVisuel Paris, vue du Meurice suite Etoile - Jardin des TuileriesVisuel Paris, vue du Meurice suite Etoile - Jardin des TuileriesVisuel Paris, vue du Meurice suite Etoile - Jardin des Tuileries

Designed by André Le Nôtre, this green space is a model of French elegance, with its symmetrical gravel paths and beautiful rows of pruned trees. As for comfort, it lends itself well to the game of outdoor dining by offering large lawns, from which one can contemplate the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and the Champs-Élysées.

Montsouris Park

Cerisiers en fleurs à paris et aux alentours - Parc MontsourisCerisiers en fleurs à paris et aux alentours - Parc MontsourisCerisiers en fleurs à paris et aux alentours - Parc MontsourisCerisiers en fleurs à paris et aux alentours - Parc Montsouris

In the south of Paris, the Montsouris park, one of the richest in fauna and flora, is waiting for you to have a quiet picnic on one of its large lawns or by the pond, in the shade of the weeping willows . Just a few steps away, the Cité Universitaire park is a 30-hectare protected area where you can relax. A real garden city, it offers a world tour thanks to all its foreign pavilions: United States, Italy, Morocco, Japan...

André Citroën Park

Parc CitroënParc CitroënParc CitroënParc Citroën

The Parc André-Citroën is located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. This garden offers us a green walk in the middle of varied landscapes. Compared to the Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Parc André-Citroën is characterized by its modernity. This is not very surprising since it was inaugurated in 1992 in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. Although it is not necessarily distinguished by its historical aspect, this garden remains exceptional in many other aspects. Large lawns are waiting for us for a nice picnic moment, facing the famous Air Paris balloon.

Domaine de Saint-Cloud - 92

Jeux d'eau au Domaine National de Saint-CloudJeux d'eau au Domaine National de Saint-CloudJeux d'eau au Domaine National de Saint-CloudJeux d'eau au Domaine National de Saint-Cloud

At the gates of Paris and accessible by streetcar and metro, the park of the Domaine de Saint-Cloud reveals a large green area. It is the largest wooded park in the Hauts de Seine department, with nearly 500 hectares of forest and gardens. For a lunch on the grass, the Domaine de Saint-Cloud offers a royal and rural setting, between tall grass and perspectives signed by Le Nôtre. For an aperitif, come and admire the view of the Eiffel Tower from the Terrasse de la Lanterne .

Parc de Sceaux - 92

Le Parc de Sceaux et ses cerisiers en fleursLe Parc de Sceaux et ses cerisiers en fleursLe Parc de Sceaux et ses cerisiers en fleursLe Parc de Sceaux et ses cerisiers en fleurs

The Parc de Sceaux, also close to the capital, unveils 180 hectares of greenery to recharge your batteries for a royal picnic. We like its beautiful garden designed by Le Nôtre and its castle to visit. The place offers beautiful spaces in a very pleasant setting.

Have a nice picnic!

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