Where to picnic in Paris this summer, from Buttes-Chaumont to the secret gardens of the Marais
A blanket, some homemade sandwiches, a handful of fresh fruit and a pack of cards: that’s really all you need to picnic in Paris this summer 2026. All that’s left is finding the right spot, and the city has no shortage of them, from its most famous lawns to its best-kept secret gardens.
The classic spots for picnicking in Paris
At the Champ-de-Mars (7th arrondissement), outdoor lunches take on a distinctly postcard quality. The view of the Eiffel Tower and the vast open lawn create a wonderfully carefree atmosphere. Don’t be surprised if a guitarist wanders over and starts playing beside you.
The Parc Montsouris (14th) is the go-to spot for students from the neighbouring Cité internationale universitaire. Its 1,400 trees, many of them centuries old, provide plenty of welcome shade. The sweeping lawns invite you to settle in and take your time.
For a more intimate setting, the Parc des Rives de Seine runs along the water between the Pont-Neuf and the Pont Marie. Stroll along the Seine until you find your own little corner. There’s no shortage of good spots along the way.
« Aucune excuse pour laisser ses déchets derrière soi : la Ville a installé dans les parcs et les jardins de grands conteneurs spécialement pour les pique-niqueurs. »
Modern parks where greenery meets architecture
The Parc de Bercy (12th) sits opposite the Cinémathèque française. You can reach it by crossing the Pont Simone-de-Beauvoir from the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand (13th). Once inside, several distinct natural atmospheres coexist, including a duck pond with a quietly Japanese sensibility.
The Parc André-Citroën (15th) offers a decidedly futuristic setting. You can spread out on the lawns or tuck yourself away behind the tall grasses. For entertainment, watch the regulars practising capoeira or qi gong.
If you’re walking the Coulée verte René-Dumont (12th), make a point of taking the footbridge that overlooks the Jardin de Reuilly. A beautifully maintained open expanse awaits you at the end. It’s an ideal route for anyone who likes to combine a leisurely walk with a lunch break.
- Bring a blanket and homemade sandwiches for a comfortable meal
- Make use of the sorting bins installed by the City to dispose of your waste responsibly
- Respect the ban on consuming alcohol in public parks
- Do not light fires or use barbecues in green spaces
- Seek out a shady corner beneath the centuries-old trees of Parc Montsouris
Classic and charming parks for an outdoor lunch break
The Square Louis-XIII, better known as the Place des Vosges (Paris Centre), charms with the contrast between its red-brick arcades and its pointed grey rooftops. If the benches are all taken, retreat to the lawn ringed with chestnut trees. It’s a history-laden setting for a picnic right in the heart of Paris.
The Parc Monceau (8th), once the private estate of the Duc de Chartres, is dotted with statues of celebrated artists. Enclosed by grand hôtels particuliers, it has the feel of true Parisian chic, making it one of the most elegant places in the city to lay down a picnic blanket.
The Buttes-Chaumont (19th) remains Paris’s most dramatically hilly park. You’ll find beautiful sloping lawns, shady nooks beneath the trees and a grand waterfall that drops 32 metres. Everyone loves this park, and it’s easy to see why.
At the Jardin Villemin-Mahsa-Jîna-Amini (10th), you can sit with your feet near the water and a card game on your lap. Time drifts by gently, and between bursts of sunshine you’ll find yourself chatting with the people around you. It’s one of the most pleasant spots in Paris for a long, unhurried picnic.
La Villette, perfect for groups
The Parc de la Villette (19th) has room for almost everyone. Finding a patch of green to spread your blanket on is never a problem. For the best sun exposure, the wide open area in front of the Géode is hard to beat.
For a shaded meal or a spot by the water, there are also plenty of quiet corners perfect for a post-lunch nap. The park is especially well suited to groups, with enough space for everyone to find their own corner.
Off-the-beaten-path gardens for picnicking away from the crowds
The Jardin Atlantique sits on top of Gare Montparnasse (15th) and remains something of a secret. Pine trees, quiet nooks, a central fountain and ping-pong tables make it an ideal formula for a sunny lunch break. This spot is genuinely worth the detour.
The Jardin Catherine-Labouré is a former kitchen garden now open to all, yet hidden from prying eyes. Settle under the vine-covered pergola, stretch out on the lawn or wander among the fruit trees. It’s a rare and wonderfully preserved escape from the city’s bustle.
The Jardin des Rosiers, tucked away in the heart of the Marais, is what the French call a jardin de poche, a pocket garden. Charmingly small, it nestles between the grand 17th-century hôtels particuliers of the neighbourhood. It’s an intimate setting for a picnic well away from the crowds.
The Jardin naturel Pierre-Emmanuel (20th) is home to native plants tended using organic cultivation methods. A staircase leads up to an elevated walkway that reveals a panoramic view over the hill of the Père-Lachaise cemetery. It’s a genuine Parisian rarity, perfect for anyone looking to picnic in a truly singular setting.
