Your Complete Guide to the Best Picnic Spots in Paris Worth Packing a Baguette For

There is nothing quite like a picnic in Paris, and there are so many great spots to go if you know where to find them. As it’s hot, hot, hot right now in France, you’ll want a shady spot with some water to dip your toes into. And hopefully without too many people.

Surprisingly, for a city like Paris, there are some great green picnic spots scattered throughout the city’s perimeter, as well as some located just outside. They’re all reachable either by walking or public transport, and most of them have access to public toilets and other amenities. It’s a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy being in the best city in the world.

Picnic Areas Within the City

We’re starting with the more obvious and popular ones. If you don’t have much time in Paris and don’t want to go too far, these are perfect. There are all close to Metro stations as well.

No. 1 Champ de Mars

Arrondissement: 7th
Closest Metro/RER:

• RER C: Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel
• Metro 6: Bir-Hakeim
• Metro 8: École Militaire or La Motte-Picquet–Grenelle

You want a big open space with stories behind it? Champ de Mars is your spot. Back in the day, soldiers trained here under Napoleon, and it saw the bloody fallout of the 1791 massacre after Louis XVI tried to flee. It also hosted the 1889 World Expo, the one that gave us the Eiffel Tower. These days, it’s still pulling in the crowds for concerts, sports events, and sometimes even catwalks.

Best time to go is late afternoon on a weekday. The grass is still warm, the tourist groups thin out, and by the time the sun sets, you’re front row for the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle show.

You’ve got public toilets, wide walkways, and plenty of space to stretch out. Grab picnic supplies from Rue Cler or one of the bakeries near École Militaire. And if you’re lucky, there’s usually a vendor with a cart full of snacks or drinks circling the park.

No. 2 Trocadéro Gardens

Arrondissement: 16th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 6 and 9: Trocadéro

This is where you’ll get that iconic head-on shot of the Eiffel Tower. The gardens were rebuilt in the 1930s and wrap around the Warsaw Fountain, a massive basin with rows of water cannons that shoot up in sync when they’re switched on. In the summer, they light the whole thing up at night while the Tower sparkles behind it. And just above the gardens, the Palais de Chaillot is where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948.

Early mornings or just before sunset are the best times. Midday is packed with tour groups and school outings.

There are public toilets inside the Palais de Chaillot. You’ll find benches along the side paths, some decent shady spots under the trees, and a few cafés at the top for snacks or drinks.

No. 3 Jardin des Tuileries

Arrondissement: 1st
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 1: Tuileries
• Metro 7 or 14: Pyramides
• Metro 1 or 12: Concorde

The old royal gardens stretch between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, and even though the palace is long gone, you can still sense its scale. This isn’t a spread-out-your-blanket kind of place, but there are green chairs everywhere, and no one cares if you drag them around to make your own setup. 

Best spot is around the octagonal fountain near the Louvre, where you’ll get views of the museum, people-watching, and shade from the clipped trees. It’s open until 9 in summer, and golden hour light hits the Louvre beautifully.

If you’ve had enough of sitting, you can stroll through the sculpture trail that winds through the park or cross over the Seine via the footbridge to reach Musée d’Orsay. Toilets are at both ends of the garden, and you’re spoiled for picnic supplies in any direction. Just watch the pigeons. They’re bold.

No. 4 Jardin du Luxembourg

Arrondissement: 6th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 4: Odéon or Saint-Sulpice
• RER B: Luxembourg

This garden was once Marie de’ Medici’s private palace retreat and still has a strong sense of order and structure. The lawns are mostly off-limits, but there are plenty of green chairs to grab and move around. Head to the pond near the Medici Fountain, where kids sail wooden boats and people settle in for hours. 

There’s a vintage bandstand where small orchestras still play on weekends, and even a puppet theater tucked among the trees. Toilets are conveniently located throughout, and kiosks sell coffee and crepes. The Marché Saint-Germain is nearby, allowing you to stock up before heading in.

No. 5 Parc Monceau

Arrondissement: 8th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 2: Monceau

Parc Monceau was created in the 1770s by Philippe d’Orléans, a cousin of King Louis XVI, who had a penchant for unconventional garden design. He hired an artist to fill it with fake ruins, classical statues, and random global landmarks, such as a miniature Egyptian pyramid and a Chinese pagoda. The idea was to impress visitors with how cultured and well-traveled he was, without ever leaving the city of Paris. 

There are patches of lawn you can sit on and benches dotted around, but the best spot is by the colonnade next to the small pond. Toilets are near the main entrance. For picnic supplies, try the bakeries along Boulevard de Courcelles or head a bit further to Rue de Lévis market for better produce and fresh sandwiches.

No. 6 Place des Vosges

Arrondissement: 4th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 1, 5, or 8: Bastille
• Metro 1: Saint-Paul
• Metro 8: Chemin Vert

This is the oldest planned square in Paris, and you’ll feel it the second you step inside. The garden is surrounded by perfect red-brick townhouses that once housed Victor Hugo, Cardinal Richelieu, and a whole line of aristocrats before the Revolution. These days, the square is open to anyone, and the central lawn fills quickly with locals stretched out under the clipped lime trees.

The best place to sit is near the fountain in the middle. It’s got the most shade and the least foot traffic. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a street musician playing just outside the gates.

Toilets are available just outside the park near the cafés. For food, pick up pastries or quiche from Carette, located on the northwest corner, or grab something simple from one of the small supermarkets on Rue Saint-Antoine. The entire Marais is right on your doorstep if you want to wander afterward.

No. 7 Île de la Cité – Square du Vert-Galant

Arrondissement: 1st
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 4: Cité
• RER C: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

Tucked right at the western tip of Île de la Cité, this little green triangle sits below street level, just beneath the Pont Neuf. It’s named after King Henri IV, who was known for his many mistresses and nicknamed the “Vert-Galant” or “green gallant.” His statue stands above, but down in the square, it’s all willow trees, quiet benches, and views of the Seine flowing past on both sides.

The best spot is right at the water’s edge, especially on a hot day. You’ll see boats gliding by, maybe a few people dangling their feet in the river, and not much else. It’s small, so bring what you need with you; there are no shops or toilets right there.

Grab food beforehand from Rue de Buci or Rue Dauphine, both just across the bridge. And if you’re up for it after, it’s an easy walk to Sainte-Chapelle or Notre-Dame.

No. 8 Banks of the Seine

Arrondissement: Varies (best spots between 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th)
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 7: Pont Marie
• Metro 10: Maubert-Mutualité
• RER C: Musée d’Orsay or Invalides

The riverbanks aren’t just for walking. Parisians treat them like their backyard. Between the Pont Royal and Pont de l’Alma, you’ll find long stretches of paved riverwalk with steps leading down to quieter spots right along the water. Some sections are lined with benches, others are bare stone, and a few even have pop-up bars and pétanque courts in summer.

One of the best places to sit is just west of Notre-Dame, along the Left Bank near Quai de la Tournelle. You’re away from the bulk of the traffic and can sit at water level with a solid view of the Île Saint-Louis.

There are no toilets along most of the riverside, so go before you get there. Bring everything with you, including water. For supplies, Rue Mouffetard or Rue Saint-Dominique are both nearby and full of bakeries, wine shops, and delis.

Just beyond the city via RER

If you’re up for going a little further, there are some brilliant green spaces just outside the city limits. These parks are bigger, quieter, and well worth the short train ride. All of them are reachable on the RER and perfect for a proper day out, with more room to spread out

No. 9 Parc de Sceaux

Location: Just outside Paris in the Hauts-de-Seine
Closest Metro/RER:

• RER B: Parc de Sceaux or Sceaux

Parc de Sceaux is one of the best day-out escapes from the city and is still easy to reach by RER. The gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre, the same guy who laid out Versailles, so expect long canals, clipped hedges, and expansive open lawns. In April, the cherry blossom orchard turns into a sea of pink, and on weekends it’s packed with picnickers.

The best spot is under the trees near the Grand Canal. You get shade, space, and you’re close enough to the water to stretch out and cool off. The Château de Sceaux is situated in the center and features a small museum inside, offering a welcome respite from the sun.

There are public toilets, drinking fountains, and plenty of bins. There’s no shop in the park itself, so stop in Sceaux town before you head in. The boulangerie near the RER station does a solid jambon-beurre.

No. 10 Parc Floral

Location: Eastern edge of Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 1: Château de Vincennes
• RER A: Joinville-le-Pont (a longer walk, but still doable)

Parc Floral is part botanical garden, part sculpture park, part picnic zone. It’s massive, with wide lawns you’re allowed to sit on, a lake, a mini golf course, and quiet pine groves that feel like you’ve left the city completely. In summer, they host outdoor jazz concerts on the open-air stage near the water. You can bring your lunch and stretch out on the grass while the band plays.

The best place to set up is near the lake or tucked in the woodland gardens, where it stays cool even on the hottest days. There’s also a playground if you’ve got kids in tow, and the paths are flat enough for bikes or a lazy stroll.

Public toilets are near the entrances. You’ll want to bring your own food, but there’s a snack stand open on weekends, and a few supermarkets in Vincennes are available if you need supplies before heading in.

Larger green escapes accessible via RER

These parks feel less like a break in the city and more like a full-on escape. They’re huge, wild in parts, and perfect if you want space, shade, and a slower pace. Bring a book, bring lunch, and don’t be surprised if you end up staying all day.

No. 11 Bois de Vincennes

Location: Eastern edge of Paris
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 1: Château de Vincennes
• RER A: Joinville-le-Pont

This is the biggest green space in Paris and feels more like the countryside than a city park. Originally a royal hunting ground, it’s now home to lakes, forests, botanical gardens, a zoo, and the old Château de Vincennes. You could spend hours here and still not see half of it.

The best picnic spots are around Lac Daumesnil, where you’ll find little islands connected by bridges, rowboats for rent, and wide lawns where no one cares if you spread out. There are also quiet woodland areas if you’re after something more secluded.

Toilets are dotted around and mostly decent. There are snack stands in the busier sections, but it’s smarter to bring your own food. Grab something in Vincennes before you head in — there’s a good street market near the metro a few days a week.

No. 12 Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Arrondissement: 19th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 5: Buttes Chaumont
• Metro 7bis: Botzaris

I think Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of my favorites. Built on top of old quarries, this park is full of steep slopes, rocky cliffs, and winding paths that don’t feel like Paris at all. You’ll find a grotto with a manmade waterfall, a suspension bridge, and a temple perched on a hill with one of the best views in the city. That’s where Emily and Alfie had their picnic in season 3 of Emily in Paris, and yes, it’s just as good in real life.

There’s plenty of space around the lake if you want to sit by the water, or head uphill under the trees for more privacy. It’s a great place to spend a few hours without bumping into tourists.

There are public toilets, and Rosa Bonheur, located near the entrance, serves drinks and snacks. If you want a real picnic, grab food from one of the bakeries on Rue de Crimée or Avenue Secrétan before you head in.

No. 13 Parc de la Villette

Arrondissement: 19th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 5: Porte de Pantin
• Metro 7: Porte de la Villette

Parc de la Villette is massive and modern, featuring wide open lawns, unusual red buildings called folies scattered throughout, and a canal running straight through the center. It’s a bit rough around the edges compared to the older parks, but that’s part of what makes it interesting. There’s street art, skate parks, and outdoor films shown in summer on the grass near the Grande Halle.

A major drawcard is La Géode, a giant silver globe that resembles something from another planet. It used to house an IMAX cinema. But one of the best places to sit is along the canal near the footbridges, especially if you want space to stretch out or let kids run around. It’s not your typical picnic setting, but if you’re looking for somewhere different and don’t mind a bit of concrete mixed in with your greenery, this place delivers.

Toilets are near the main cultural venues and usually open during the day. On weekends, there are food trucks and snack stands, but for better options, stop by one of the bakeries on Avenue Jean Jaurès or grab something from the nearby marché.

No. 14 Parc Montsouris

Arrondissement: 14th
Closest Metro/RER:

• RER B: Cité Universitaire
• Metro 4: Porte d’Orléans

Parc Montsouris is one of the quieter large parks in the city, tucked away near the edge of the 14th arrondissement. It’s built on an old quarry and shaped like a natural bowl, with sloping lawns, a small lake, and plenty of shade. There’s a weather station inside, and because it’s so close to the university campus, you’ll see a mix of students, joggers, and older locals just reading the paper on a bench.

The lake is the best place to settle in, especially near the little island where birds gather. You’ll also find winding gravel paths and grassy spots where you won’t feel crowded even on weekends.

There are public toilets and water fountains, plus a couple of kiosks that sell drinks and snacks. For better picnic food, stop at one of the bakeries near Alésia or Denfert-Rochereau before heading in.

No. 15 Coulée verte René-Dumont

Arrondissement: Starts in the 12th
Closest Metro/RER:

• Metro 1 or 8: Reuilly-Diderot
• Metro 6: Daumesnil

Also known as the Promenade Plantée, this is an old elevated railway line transformed into a green walkway that stretches nearly three miles. It runs above streets, through tunnels, and past gardens, giving you a view of the city most people never see. The first part near Bastille is the most well-known, but the best picnic spots are further east, where it widens into little pocket parks with benches and raised lawns.

It’s not a traditional picnic park, but if you’re looking for a quieter spot to eat with a view, this works. You’ll find sections with rose gardens, shaded paths, and even a few spots where the old rail tracks are still visible under the plants.

There are a few public toilets along the route, as well as plenty of benches. For food, grab something around Rue de Charenton or head into the Marché d’Aligre nearby for fresh bread, cheese, and fruit.