Skip to main content
EF Go Ahead logo

Our favorite places to picnic in Paris

Grab a baguette, a block of brie cheese, and a bottle of Champagne, and check out some of our favorite places to picnic in the City of Light.

Paris is a destination for romance, a center for fashion, and a home to world-class museums. The only thing that makes this busy metropolitan capital even more beautiful is its resplendent stretches of green space and gardens, which serve as peaceful escapes from the everyday noise of this exciting city. Grab a baguette, a block of brie cheese and a bottle of Champagne, and check out some of our favorite places to picnic in the City of Light.

Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, France

Luxembourg Gardens

With its beautifully manicured flower beds, lavish lawns and tree-lined avenues, the Luxembourg Gardens serve as a lush escape from the bustling Parisian streets. This 60-acre park, which sits at the heart of the Left Bank, was created by Marie de’ Medici as an ode to the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy, and it has something for everyone. Find relaxation and romance in a shady spot next to the ivy-covered Medici Fountain, rent a toy sailboat for children to float in the Grand Bassin or step inside the Luxembourg Palace to attend a hearing of the French Senate. If you just want to sprawl out on one of the well-maintained lawns, do as the locals do and grab a chair—all Parisians know it’s forbidden to sit on the grass.

Parc Monceau in Paris, Francwe

Parc Monceau

Originally planned and built as an English garden in 1778, the Parc Monceau is one of the most popular parks for Parisian locals, and is considered one of the most elegant gardens in Paris. Located in the 8th arrondissement, this tree-filled gem consists of over 20 acres of green space and is home to an intriguing collection of scaled-down architectural features, called follies. Visit this garden for a peaceful stroll away from the hubbub of the city, and be sure to visit the famous Naumachie, which is an oval pond partially lined with Corinthian columns.

Botanical gardens in Paris, France

The botanical gardens

For plant and flower lovers, a visit to Paris isn’t complete without a stop at the botanical gardens. These gardens, which are spread over 68 acres and are home to over 23,000 species of plants, were initially founded as a royal garden of medicinal plants in 1626. Visit to stroll through the labyrinth, which is one of the garden’s main attractions, and to peek inside the National Museum of Natural History, which houses an historic zoo and an evolution gallery. In no time you’ll discover why these Parisian grounds are among the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens.

Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France

The Tuileries Garden

Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden is prime real estate for people-watching. The garden was designed in 1664 by gardener André Le Nôtre, who also created the gardens of Versailles, and is now distinguished as the oldest public park in Paris. Although the Tuileries Garden was initially reserved for royalty, it is now a well-traveled gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The beauty of the garden has served as an inspiration to many famous artists, including Manet, Monet and Pissarro. Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie, located on the garden grounds, to see some of Monet’s famous water lily paintings.

The truth? There's no wrong place to enjoy a picnic on tour in Paris.

About the author

Jamie Gallerani

It was Jamie’s homestay in Germany that made her fall in love with travel (and her studies in Florence that really sealed the deal). When she’s not writing and sharing the magic of seeing the world with others, she’s usually on the lookout for her new favorite memoir, testing out recipes at home, or visiting her family on Cape Cod.

Related tours

Skip to end of carousel

Save up to $800

Everything’s on sale, but you’ll find the juiciest savings on fall trips. Book by 11/14.†

Skip to start of carousel

More travel inspiration

Skip to end of carousel
World Travel

EF’s Responsible Supplier Guidelines

Destinations

Things to do in Lima, Peru, to experience its rich history and culture

Destinations

Your guide to the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings: ancient civilizations hidden in Colorado’s canyons

Travel tips

Exploring Himeji Castle: Japan’s graceful White Heron

Destinations

10 fun facts about Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace and how to visit on tour

Travel tips

Things to do in Buenos Aires: The museums, galleries & street art you need to see on your next trip

Travel tips

The 12 best things to do in Buenos Aires for first-time travelers and returning visitors

Destinations

The best time to visit Japan: your month-to-month guide to planning the perfect Japanese vacation

Destinations

Exploring Arenal Volcano: Costa Rica’s sleeping giant

Travel tips

A food lover’s guide to Lima: What and where to eat on your next trip to Peru

Travel buzz

Is Colombia safe to visit? How a nation overcame conflict to welcome the world

Destinations

The best time to visit Costa Rica: a season-by-season guide to planning the perfect Costa Rican vacation

Travel tips

24 Hawaiian phrases and words to know before you go

Destinations

9 must-see attractions in Cartagena, Colombia

Travel tips

Lake Balaton, Tokaj, and Eger: These 3 Hungary wine regions are the hidden gems of Eastern Europe

Travel tips

Your one-stop packing list for vacation

Travel tips

How to spend 10 days in Turkey as a solo traveler

Travel buzz

Feeling the loneliness epidemic? You’re not alone! Here’s how guided group travel leads to new connections

Travel buzz

The best places to visit in 2024 and 2025 to see the northern lights

Travel buzz

A conversation about our new Pride Tours and EF Go Ahead Tours’ commitment to LGBTQ+ traveler trust

Skip to start of carousel