Picnic in Paris

"Open container" is too vague. Google 'is alcohol allowed in Paris parks' for multiple answers, which are all the same. No.

Thank you, CJean!

We’ve picnicked in Paris parks, and elsewhere in France, many times, with wine, etc. and have never had a problem. We had to vacate one park in Paris when the local authorities came to lock the entrances at 8 or 9. We had a very pleasant conversation as we apologized for not knowing it was time to leave. Our wine was clearly in view. The evening visits by the rats didn’t deter us. They were easily shooed away. 😁

It's true that you can get away with many things, including having a drink in the parks. But the OP asked what the law was.

There are some areas where alcohol in parks is enforced; notably Champs du Mars du to unruly drunks, but generally speaking if you are discreet you are fine. In the evenings you will see couples and small groups along the berm of the Seine enjoying wine and the beauty of the evening. A sedate couple or small group having a picnic is unlikely to be hassled about wine -- I'd be inclined to keep it in the cooler or basket. One of those awful hen party or bachelor party groups from across the channel making a drunken fuss, is likely to draw the attention of authorities.

Note that in many parks you may not picnic on the grass. Luxembourg gardens for example limits grass sitting to one small area and the result is that that area is often crammed cheek to cheek and no place to really enjoy a picnic. Most people find chairs to circle up and enjoy the food. I noticed them enforcing this at Square Batignolles this year but have seen picnicking on the grass at Parc Monceau.

I read a very interesting article several years ago about the incredible rat problem caused by people leaving food waste around in Paris. Tourists/picnics were especially singled out as culprits. I’d keep that in mind while having and cleaning up after a picnic.

It's true that you can get away with many things, including having a drink in the parks. But the OP asked what the law was.

I am discovering something!
Given how many boozy picnics are taking place in Paris parks and along the river, I had no idea it was technically not allowed 😅.

It appears that this is a question that received some attention in 2015 including an answer from the Webmaster. Rick Steves recent PARIS guidebook details how to assemble a picnic, including wine, and ask for a corkscrew in French. While I like the romantic notion of a picnic with wine in a Paris park, I'd probably honor the law.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/any-restrictions-on-picnicking-in-paris-public-parks

Honor the law and you will be surrounded by locals enjoying a glass of wine with their picnics

Well, if that's the case, janettravels44, I might just have a glass.

While we kept an eye on the rats, and them on us (as well as the pigeons), we made sure we did not create any litter or food waste in the area. :)

Thanks all! We are definitely not the type to litter and thanks for the heads up Re the rats!

We asked this question years ago while buying some picnic food and a bottle of wine in Paris. The proprietor burst out laughing and said that of course we could drink wine in a park. She happily uncorked our wine and gave us plastic cups. Tchin-Tchin!