A surprise hit and oscar- nominated movie back in the 2009 titled “an Education” shows a young girl’s coming-of-age journey with beautiful Paris scenes serving as a backdrop. one particularly memorable scene is where they have an improvised picnic with baguette, cheese and wine on the Square du vert Galant while watching the sun sets on Seine River. In a way, it’s a glimpse into Parisian underexposed culture, where not everything is about fashion boutiques and fine restaurants. Picnic happens to be one of Parisian’s favorite pastimes during warm and pleasant days, and for a city with relatively few greenery and even less chance to step onto meticulously-kept grass fields, its citizens has found ways to improvise.
Before you embark on your picnic, it’s important to prepare some quality food and beverages. a picnic is not necessarily part of a budget fallback.
It can be more of a fun alternative to formal dining, with no less fine food and wine. Some hotels such as Park Hyatt Paris-vendôme offer tours or special picnic packages with baskets prepared by their own chefs. If you’re feeling up to some challenge, there are plenty of options to fill up your picnic basket.
The special thing about Paris is that the city doesn’t really prefer supermarkets, but there are market streets with specialized food shops such as bakery, cheese shop and wine shop. among them, Rue lepic that climbs the hill of Montmartre is said to be one of Paris’ most authentic, while Rue Montorgueil is considered one of the most beautiful market streets with a fine selection and numerous Parisians socializing while doing their daily shopping. local markets such as Marché Raspail during Mondays, Fridays and Sundays are also special with its artisan food producers and organic grocers, alongside roasted and grilled meats for hot picnics.
On the top of the shopping list should be bread. The French consumes billions of baguettes per year, so the image of a Frenchman carrying said bread under his arm is not as cliché as it seems. But there are other breads that deserve attention. The large, round signature Poliane loaf from the most famous bakery in the world, Poliane, has been feeding the French for centuries and is well suited with meats, soft cheeses, foie gras or salmon. For cheese, Fromagerie alleosse offers hundreds of types that should satisfy every foodie, from the most conventional to the most adventurous. your best bet is to ask for the best cheese that will complement your beverage. For example, if you’ve prepared a full-bodied red Burgundy, the brandy-soaked epoisses would serve as a good partner. The rest of your supplies are up to your taste, from local wines by la Commanderie du Clos Montmartre to Jean Millet’s very own pralines.
Among the many picturesque spots to lay down your blanket and unpack your basket, the vast green space and tree-lined lawns of Champ de Mars would be the first choice of many thanks to the up-close view of the Eiffel Tower. The scene is lively with kids playing around and friends having a feast, and naturally, the further you are from the tower, less people would interrupt your photo sessions.
A more serene alternative is Jardin du luxembourg, a park commissioned by Marie de Médicis, the queen consort of France in the past. Combining English and French-style gardens, the area is adorned with statues and centered on a large pond where children usually sail their model boats. There are free musical performances, a puppet theater and a large playground with a vintage carousel. Picnickers usually lounge on the free chairs spread throughout the area, but there’s a section near the southeast end where sitting on the grass seems to be allowed, or ignored at the very least. another location similar to this one is Jardin des Tuileries located between the louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Stepping off the green grass in the afternoon, the Promenade Plantée is a bit more unique with its elevated location above the rooftops of Paris. The hustle and bustle of the city seems so far below as you take a spot along the narrow parkway that stretches from the opéra Bastille to the Bois de vincennes. a nearby market will keep you stocked up with fresh fruits and warm bread. around the banks of Seine River and its canals, there are also many spots for people to sit down and enjoy the view. Some restaurants and bars even provide throwawaycupsandtakeoutstobringto the water’s edge. a movie appearance in “amelie” makes Saint Martin’s Canal a popular spot. Stairs on either side of the Île Saint-louis lead down to a bank that offers a charming view of the bridges over Seine. The list goes on and on, and even the Parisians always seem to find new favorite spots now and then. For tourists and visitors, that means no more excuse to not try out a very Parisian picnic.
