Picnic Like a Parisian: Springtime Alfresco Dining Tips

Ah, spring in France — when the cherry blossoms flutter along the Seine, and the markets overflow with tender asparagus, plump strawberries, and the first sweet chèvre of the season. The sun lingers a little longer, the air smells faintly of lilac, and everywhere you look, the French are doing what they do best: savoring life.

And nowhere is this more joyfully expressed than in the art of le pique-nique.

The French picnic is not simply tossing a sandwich in a bag and heading out. No, no — it is a ritual, a celebration, an impromptu feast wherever you choose to lay your blanket. Whether you’re nestled in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, overlooking the lavender hills of Provence, or on a quiet pebbled beach in the Riviera, a French-style picnic invites you to slow down, eat well, and connect — with food, nature, and one another.

Allow me to take you along for a spring picnic, à la française, with my tips and favorite bites for a perfect day outdoors.

Choose Your Setting Wisely

Location is everything, mes amis. The French understand ambiance like no one else. You want a place with charm, shade, and a view. In Paris, I adore Parc des Buttes-Chaumont with its winding paths and cliffside vistas, or the quieter corners of Jardin des Plantes. In the South of France, a grassy perch overlooking a vineyard or a quiet cove near Cassis can make even a simple meal feel divine.

Look for:

• Shade (an umbrella pine or old stone wall does wonders)
  
• A flat spot for setting up
  
• Minimal foot traffic, if you seek serenity
  

Bring a light throw or linen cloth — not only for sitting, but for dressing the scene, as the French do.

Think Seasonal, Simple, and Savory

French picnics are not about overcomplication. You don’t need twenty dishes or a portable grill. Instead, focus on a few high-quality ingredients that travel well and speak to the season.

Here’s my ideal May picnic basket:

Breads & Pastries

• Baguette tradition – still crusty, still warm if you time it right
  
• Mini croissants or savory gougères – airy cheese puffs that hold beautifully
  

Cheeses

• Chèvre frais – fresh goat cheese, perhaps rolled in herbs or ash
  
• Tomme de Savoie – nutty, semi-soft, and perfect with fruit
  
• Brie de Meaux – ripe, runny, and oh-so-French
  

Pack your cheese in wax paper and let it come to room temperature before eating.

Charcuterie

• Rosette de Lyon or saucisson sec
  
• Rillettes – pork or duck, spreadable and indulgent
  
• Jambon de Bayonne – air-cured ham with a delicate saltiness
  

Fruits & Vegetables

• Strawberries from Carpentras or Gariguettes – sweet and fragrant
  
• Radishes with salted butter – an overlooked classic
  
• Cherry tomatoes, snap peas, or blanched asparagus spears – bright and fresh
  

Tart or Quiche

• Quiche aux asperges et chèvre – a slice of spring in pastry form
  
• Tarte à l’oignon or pissaladière – savory with caramelized onions and anchovy
  

Wine (bien sûr!)

• A chilled bottle of rosé from Provence or a light Beaujolais
  Don’t forget proper corkscrew, cups, and a cooler sleeve or frozen bottle to keep it crisp.
  

Pack Like a Pro

The French picnic basket (or tote) is packed with care — une petite organisation goes a long way. Use small containers, beeswax wraps, and cloth napkins to keep everything fresh and reduce waste. A good knife, cutting board, and reusable cups are essential.

I always bring:

• A serrated knife for bread and sausage
  
• Cloth napkins — elegant and environmentally kind
  
• Plates (light enamel or bamboo)
  
• A tea towel or two to wipe hands and surfaces
  
• A trash bag or tote for easy clean-up
  

Optional but delightful: fresh flowers or wild herbs tucked in the basket, a portable speaker with soft jazz or chanson française, and a game of pétanque if the terrain allows.

4. Don’t Forget Dessert

You didn’t think I’d leave you without something sweet, did you?

For a spring picnic, I love:

• Tarte aux fraises – a buttery crust filled with pastry cream and fresh strawberries
  
• Madeleines – easy to transport, perfect with a post-lunch coffee
  
• Chocolate squares or macarons – pick your favorite pastel hue
  

And if you’re near a village, let the local patisserie tempt you. It’s part of the fun.

Savor the Moment (and the Silence)

There’s a particular hush that falls over a French picnic. Between bites and sips, there is quiet — not awkwardness, but contentment. A gaze at the horizon. A bite of cheese. A small sigh. C’est la vie, n’est-ce pas?

At that moment, you understand: this isn’t just eating outside.