Best "just hanging out spot" in Paris

Luxembourg Gardens for people watching. Place des Vosges and the Marais for food/wine and people watching. The fun is discovering your own favorite place.

+1 for Steve's answer. That's my favorite cafe spot.

I'd also add the Tuileries Garden for just hanging out people watching. And nothing beats a pleasant stoll along the Seine checking out the bookstalls or down along the riverbank.

I recommend anything in the Latin Quarter early evening. Seemingly hundreds of small outdoorsy cafe's and places to lounge and eat.

On Île de la Cité there is a cafe with red overhang called “La Rose de France” at Place Dauphine.

Considering where this square was located, it was very quiet and laid back.

Had a great salad and bottle of wine. Watched boys play Botche Ball and dreamed of owning a apartment in the square after winning the Mega-Millions jackpot ;)

I also agree with Steve. We usually rent an apt right off Plaza St. Michel so we can walk over to ND plaza most nights to check out the free entertainment.

Love all these answers, especially Jardin de Luxembourg. Just wanted to add...

The square adjacent to the the Pompidou Center with the modern art fountain. Lots of tourists, but also a lot of Right Bank Parisians, kids on skateboards, and artsy types. The cafes there are lovely.

You really can't go wrong hanging out ANYWHERE in Paris, I suppose. :)

i just wanted to say oh my god this is making me excited for my upcoming trip! thanks op and everyone who replied! i needed a pick me up today, and i'm picked up! :-)

Yes I recently hung out at the Stravinsky fountain near the Pompidou and it is a very good place for doing this (and has many food options). I also like the Palais Royale, Tuilleries, Place des Vosges - for fantastic people watching and pretending to live like royalty. Strolling the Marais is great also.

There's a nice smalm park next to Shakespere and Co. acoss from Notre Dame. I would often go there to read a book I just bought from there while having my picnic lunch along one of the many benches that I picked up from one of the takeaways behind the park. Great people watching and after I finished I could walk to the islands to grab a berthillon ice cream for dessert.

Debbie - I agree with Douglas, the Tuileries Garden for just hanging out people watching is great. They also have the little sorbet stand that has the best lemon sorbet.