Where to picnic in Paris? The best spots in the capital

Nestling in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, the Parc Monceau and its large expanses of grass is the ideal place for a picnic. Drinking water points are set up throughout the park, useful when you've forgotten to fill your water bottle.

After lunch, continue your afternoon in the park by taking advantage of the children's activities: from swings and sandboxes to merry-go-rounds, pony rides and Guignol puppet shows, there's something for everyone! So it's the perfect place to eat and enjoy a breath of fresh air with your family. And if you're in the mood for romance, the old pavilions that populate the park, like the rotunda at the entrance to Parc Monceau, "la Barrière de Chartres", are real bubbles of calm.

Considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, the Jardin du Luxembourg is the perfect spot for a picnic, a lunch break with colleagues or a snack with the kids. Located on the edge of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the garden is divided into French and English sections. Once you've had a bite to eat, the garden, with its rose garden, orchard, apiary and greenhouses, is an invitation to stroll for hours. The 106 statues scattered around the park, the Medici fountain, the Orangery and the Davioud pavilion are all great fun to lose yourself in.

And there are plenty of activities and facilities for children: from remote-controlled boats and puppet shows to merry-go-rounds and slides, there's something to keep them busy all afternoon. When you're not busy reading a good book on one of the countless chairs in the Luxembourg Gardens, you can also play chess, tennis or bridge. A fine cultural programme is often highlighted by free photography exhibitions on the garden gates and concerts in the bandstand, events not to be missed if you're a regular visitor (or not).

The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of the capital's best-known picnic spots. With its lush green lawns, this English-style garden is a favourite picnic spot for Parisians. The garden's undulating, elevated lawns offer a superb view of the capital, including the Montmartre district. With its grottoes, waterfalls and suspension bridge, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a little corner of paradise in the heart of Paris.

Like many of the city's parks, there are plenty of activities for children (swings, merry-go-rounds, sandboxes, Guignol puppet shows and pony rides) and drinking water is always available for visitors. There's even a dog park, ideal if you want your dog to enjoy a walk in the fresh air too!

The Bois de Vincennes, with its 995 hectares, half of which is wooded, is a veritable jewel of nature in the heart of Paris. With its lawns and 4 lakes, the capital's largest green space is the perfect place to eat under the shelter of a tree while admiring the romantic kiosk overlooking Lake Daumesnil. The many picnic tables and drinking water points make for an ideal setting, and if you want to eat in, there's a restaurant, cafeteria, tea room, snack bar and refreshment area in the Bois de Vincennes.

Once you've had your picnic, continue your visit of the Bois and take advantage of its various activities: from the Paris farm to the Bayard-UCPA equestrian centre, not forgetting the Paris zoo! Children will also be delighted by the various rides in the woods.

Head for Paris's 15th arrondissement to discover the pretty Parc Georges Brassens. Little known to Parisians, this bucolic haven of peace is the perfect place for a quiet picnic away from the hustle and bustle of Parisian life.

It's the perfect place to relax and eat on a bench or on the grass with friends or family, and it's also a favourite garden for booklovers at the weekend: every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm, the antique and second-hand book market is held in the former halles de l'abattoir. It's the perfect time to pick up vintage and contemporary books, as well as vintage maps and posters.