Paris Picnic Advice?

Posted by Danielle (Baltimore, MD, USA) on 06/08/07 07:59 AM

Hello everyone. I will be going on my honeymoon to Paris in just under 10 days. I have always dreamed of having a picnic in the grass near the Eiffel Tower or in another beautiful park. I am not sure if I'd want to be in the Tuileries, only because I seem to have encountered a lot of tourist-preying "artists" etc, looking to make money there.

So my question is: give me your best Paris Picnic tips. Where is a wonderful place for a picnic? Also, any market tips for great picnic food?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by Roxanne

Seattle

06/08/07 08:10 AM

223 posts

Hi Danielle,

First of all, Congratulations on your wedding!

There was this fantastic thread at the beginning of May where a gentleman was asking for romantic spots in Paris to propose to his future fiancee and a lot of people were suggesting a picnic in the park at the base of the Eiffel Tower at dusk when the lights come on the tower. The romance of it all would probably be just as fantastic for your situation.

Here's the thread...

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/1129/a-romantic-place-in-paris-for-a-marriage-proposal-.html

Also, I've heard the markets along the Rue Cler are good for picnic shopping, but I've never been (yet). If you pick up a bottle of wine for your picnic, don't forget to get a corkscrew too. :)

Have fun.

Posted by bluedenim

vancouver, bc, canada

06/08/07 08:34 AM

421 posts

how about Place Des Vosages...such a beautiful park with fountains and surrounded by wonderful buildings
here you will find alot of parisians enjoying the park.
It is one of the most beautiful squares in the city

Posted by Jon

Portland, Oregon, USA

06/08/07 08:50 AM

320 posts

Danielle - my two favorites are on the quays along the Seine near the Latin Quarter and there are also nice quiet benches directly behind Notre Dame - even on a busy day that area stays pretty quiet. Paris is great for picnics - lots of good choices - Have fun!

Posted by Adam

Boston

06/08/07 10:18 AM

4132 posts

I don't know about "best," but one good plan is to buy lunch at the street market in the 13th (I think it is Place d'Italie) and eat it in the Roman arena off of Rue Monge (one of my favorite spots).

Posted by Mary Beth

Austin, TX

06/08/07 11:27 AM

24 posts

we had our picnic in Paris in the grass near the Eiffel Tower indeed! there are so many little markets in Paris that it's so easy to find what we'd think of as "gourmet" food. we went to a store right near the exit of the Paris metro for the ET.

Our menu:
Little bottles of red wine
Baguette
Fromage cheetos (why not?)
Delicious soft cheese we "saved" from our breakfast at the hotel
peaches
...brought a blanket and enjoyed the scenery. No one bothered us and we were certainly not alone in our picnicking!

Posted by Perry

Pearland, TX, USA

06/08/07 06:17 PM

852 posts

Hi Danielle,
I add my congratulations on your wedding!
I'm sure all the suggestion you have received are great (try them all!). I know that Jon is right about the park area directly behind Notre Dame. This picture shows only a small part of those beautiful grounds. Have a look at it via this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=306184136&size=o
Bon Voyage and have a great honeymoon. P