Summer is arriving in Paris which means it's time for a picnic! Doesn't going on a picnic in Paris sound lovely? Sort of like you're in a Renoir painting or something! And don't worry, there are enough parks, gardens, and the like where you can spend the entire day with your friends, family, and loved ones all while enjoying a fantastic French spread. Oh, but speaking of a French spread, what will it contain? What should you eat during a picnic in Paris? What do Parisians include in their picnic baskets? Here are a few suggestions.
Fruits & Vegetables
You can never go wrong with fruits and vegetables! Not only are they healthy, but they're also easy to pack and even easier to eat. All you really have to do is to wash them and they're good to go! You don't even need to prepare anything with them before the picnic if you don't want to. You can just leave the slicing for when you're already on the picnic blanket. And if you want a more flavorful punch, you can always make them into a salad or have a dip ready just in case!
Different Types of Cheese
If you're going for an old-fashioned charcuterie, it won't be complete without some cheese! Be it
Brie,
Camembert,
Roquefort,
Comté, or more, you can never go wrong with French cheese on a Paris picnic. Firstly, they go well on their own or with bread or other side dishes. They definitely pair well with wine, champagne, and any other beverage you plan on bringing along. And they pack a savory punch unlike any other dairy product out there. Granted, they might smell, but that's a small price to pay for enjoying some of France's most delectable delicacies.
Bring A Baguette
Speaking of bread, you can't go wrong with a baguette too! This is a Parisian picnic we're talking about! It's never going to be complete without some baguette. Although it may make your picnic spread a little too stereotypically French, who cares? There's a reason why the baguette is so popular in France. It goes well with practically everything, it's
not that hard to bake, and they're pretty easy to pack along. It's up to you if you want to let it stay a loaf or if you slice it all up in preparation for the picnic.
Pâtés
Finger food, or more primarily known in French as '
hors d'oeuvres,' makes for great picnic food too. Again, it's all about what's easy to pack, carry in a picnic basket, and serve at a picnic table or on a picnic blanket. Hors d'oeuvres ticks all these boxes and they're delicious too! Specifically, those with
pâté. Pâté is a type of paste with forcemeat that you can easily spread on anything. Be it on a slice of baguette or even just a racker, spreading some pâté will liven up your menu in more ways than one!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ©Marta Serradell
Meat Mousse
Speaking of pâté, one kind that's sure to please is meat mousse. Yep, chocolate mousse isn't the only type of mousse in the culinary world. And in many ways, meat mousse is as French as the baguette. Pureed with cream, egg, bread, and of course, meat, it's a slightly richer type of pâté that's actually quite upscale. You're more likely to see it in some of the more upscale restaurants of Paris than in the more affordable places. Nevertheless, you can also buy them in grocery stores and a few open markets too.
French Pastries
Finally, for some dessert, there's nothing like some famous French pastries! What's so good about these sweets is that you can bake them yourself, they're often small enough to pack, and they taste immaculate. A great option is some macaroons. Not only because there are
a ton of places in Paris where you can get the best of the best, but also because they come in sets of multiple pieces you can share with your picnic buddies. The croissant and crepes will always be classic too, so they'll be great for a picnic as well!
With so many fine French dishes and delicacies to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed when forming the menu for your picnic in Paris. But among the best of the best of French cuisine, there are some culinary mainstays a picnic jus can't do without!
Enjoying a picnic in Paris, be it in a park or at the backyard of your
luxury home, is a great way to enjoy a summer day here!
