Paris is surely a very impressive city when it comes to monuments and food. However, in addition to its historical and architectural beauties, Paris is also an extremely animated city. It offers rich culture, great expositions, interesting cinema projections and year-round free roller skating tours. During the winter, there are beautiful Christmas markets and ice skating rinks in the city centre – the one in front of the City Hall is worth trying! During the summer, there are concerts, festivals and open air cinemas. Even if all seasons are interesting, late spring and summer have something special, as the famous Parisian grey disappears and the sunny sky rules. The normally reserved locals fill up all the city space with picnic baskets full of tasty food, which is, for the French, so quintessential. Want to join them? Here is a list of their most favourite places.
Les Quais Saint-Bernard
The Seine riverbank are called Quais Saint-Bernard (Saint-Bernard quay), situated near the metro station Jussieu in Paris’ 5th district, is the first place that you should bring your picnic. Forgotten until 1970, they are nowadays one of the most popular riverbanks where locals meet. During sunny evenings or on the weekends, its concrete edges as well as tiny green spaces are crowded with young Parisians with fresh baguettes, hummus and ham and many are drinking a typical French bottled beer called 1664. Quais Saint-Bernard is also favored for another special attraction – in July, the riverbanks change into an open-air dance floor. Every evening there are free dance lessons. And the choice is really large – from popular salsa through rock and roll to traditional Breton dances. Surely the dancing doesn’t stop before midnight!
Les Quai de la Loire and les Quais de la Seine
Other favourite riverbanks in Paris are situated in the north, in the 19th district by the metro station Jaures. They’re bordering the most popular Parisian canal called Bassin de la Villette, and they’re called Quais de la Loire on one side and Quais de la Seine on the other. These spaces offer many fun activities. Cinema lovers go there to see movies in two cinemas called MK2 that have a very interesting programme. On the other side, the green spaces with trees are favourites for activities such a slackline, pétanque and badminton. On the canal, you’ll find also many boat-bars with great music concerts. Peniche Antipode, with its slightly alternative atmosphere, is one of the most popular boat-bars. So, why not go see a movie or listen to some good music and then finish the evening with an open-air picnic dinner? Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Buttes Chaumont Park
Other favourite places for picnic sessions with friends are Parisian parks. Parc des Buttes Chaumont (Buttes Chaumont Park), which you can reach on foot from the Jaures metro station in just 10 minutes is one of them. Situated a bit further from the city centre, it is often ignored by tourists, even if it is surely one of the most beautiful Parisian green spaces. Contrary to the meticulous French style of the Luxembourg or Tuileries Gardens, Buttes Chaumont was designed in a more natural-looking romantic style of the 19th century. Its hilly character, artificially created cliffs with a waterfall, as well as the water surface that surrounds the central hill will enchant you. Take a small walk to the top, and you’ll reach an old hanging bridge, from which you’ll get a stunning view to the whole city. Then, find a place on the grass and chill out with a good snack!
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Montsouris Park
Montsouris Park (Parc Montsouris) is the southern counterpart of Buttes Chaumont Park. Situated in the 14th arrondissement, just behind the RER station Cite Internationale Universitaire, it was created, as well as Buttes Chaumont, in the 19th century in the style of an English landscape garden. A large part of its surface is occupied by a beautiful, calm artificial lake full of ducks and swans. Montsouris is a favourite place for locals with children. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons you’ll see many children playing and many adults sitting on benches and talking quietly. The place is also beloved by numerous foreign students living at the most famous and the most stunning Parisian University campus called Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris that is just around the corner.
Champ de Mars
Between the Eiffel Tower and the Military School (Ecole Militaire) is the Champs de Mars, located in the 15th arrondissement. The park is accessible from the metro station La Motte Piquet-Grenelle or the RER C station Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel. The park was named after the Roman god of war because its history that goes back to the 18th century is connected with many important fights and events such as the recovery of Napoleon’s Empire after his return from the Elba Prison. Nowadays, the park is a peaceful place and is a favourite of many locals. In the mornings, people come here to do their daily jogging workout; on the weekends, you’ll find many families with small children playing at numerous playgrounds that the park offers. And, the middle space is almost always crowded by young students laying lazily on the grass and drinking a beer. So, buy some tasty food in the Grenelle Market that is situated just beneath the metro station and join them!
Let’s have a picnic in Paris
There so many things to do in Paris! Next to the sightseeing, galleries and cultural events, you should not forget to experience the way of life of the locals. What about trying one of their favourite activities – a picnic? So, let’s discover the best places where to chill out with a good baguette, cheese and wine!
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