As the dollar is getting weaker I can see the cost of this vacation rising. Fellow travelers any suggestions on saving money by picnicking. What kinds of things do you bring from home.
We will be in France the end of May until the beginning of June. Our itinerary includes Normandy, Loire, and Dordogne.
Most of our accommodations include breakfast and I do love French cuisine for dinner so we are probably looking at picnic lunches.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I am bringing a small plastic fork and spoon to eat take away salads, yogurts etc. I forgot last time and had to find and pay too much for a package of plastic spoons.
Someone suggested, and I think its a good idea, to bring the lid from a large margarine tub. They make a perfect little plate or cutting board, they are light, and you can just throw it away before you come home.
I always bring little baggies to pack individule servings of biscuits and chips etc for out and about wandering during the day.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I bring what Pat does, including the plastic "cutting board" lid (works great). Plus a washcloth in a baggie. Handy for cleanup. A bandana makes a nice tablecloth. Everything fits in a little nylon stuff sack.
A pocket knife and corkscrew are handy, but whether you bring that from home or buy in France depends on if you check bags or not.
Posted by
Lodi, California, USA
149 posts
The only picnic item to bring from home (if you have room) is a big jar of Skippy Super-Chunk peanut butter. Don't leave home without it. Everything else you can get at any French supermarket at reasonable prices. Don't forget to stock-up on Saturday for Sunday's picnic.
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Hi Kathy,
... There's lots of good advice about picknicking on the Internet [RickSteves.com and Google.com for starters]. I am sure you can sort out the things that pertain strictly to the US picnic.
... It wouldn't surprise us at all if you find picnicing, even running for cover from a midday thunderstorm, all blessings you might not have obtained otherwise... bon appétit... P
Posted by
haddon heights, nj, usa
80 posts
Hi, we picnic all the time in France. I bring a stainless steel fork and spoon from home, swiss army knife with corkscrew, a few zip locks, and a bandana or 2 for tablecloth/napkin. It all fits in a little cloth pencil case. We dont bring the cutting board thing, but good idea. We buy cheap wine glasses (2 euro for 4 glasses) in the supermarche once we arrive. The shops sell salads in little plastic containers with snap on lids and we wash and save these to store leftovers through out the trip. I also bring one of those screw on wine bottle toppers to prevent spillage between picnics. Just remember to purchase your picnic early, the stores close between 12 and 2PM for lunch. Have fun!
Posted by
Plainfield
11 posts
My wife and I traveled through 5 countries last summer and chose B&B's when we could. The hosts were kind to let us take left over breakfast items we didn't eat - rolls, lunch meat, cheese which served us well for lunch.
Posted by
Columbus, Ohio, USA
258 posts
Get a camping utensil set. It has a spoon, fork, and knife that attach together. This was immensely helpful. Also you can wash these and not take up more room by bringing multiple plastic utensils.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
39 posts
I don't bring any picnic ware from home and have no problem eating. The Monoprix (french grocery store chain) has a great deli with salads, sandwiches, fruit, etc. They provide plastic forks and spoons just like delis in the US. The French often picnic themselves and most shopes provide what you need. I stopped by a park and every outdoor table was filled with French families and it was raining!