One of my favorite pastimes when I am in France is to have a picnic for at least one of my meals. This tradition is popular in France with both tourists and locals alike given we all have an appreciation of the fresh, high-quality ingredients available throughout the country. 

The markets in France are a gift. Stalls full of seasonal bounties. Creamy and aged cheeses, ripe and juicy fruit, crisp and colorful vegetables, carefully cured meats…the abundance is a beautiful sight. 

If you’re heading to France or if you’d like to recreate a classic French-inspired picnic this post will share some of my favorite picnic foods to pick up to enjoy. 

A red and white checked blanket is, of course, totally optional.

Our use of the term “picnic” is actually said to come from the French word for the tradition, pique nique. It is a ritual often enjoyed by the French in their favorite parks and used as a gathering pastime where people may come together and each contribute something towards the communal meal. 

The French don’t eat out – they dine. They cherish premium, seasonal food and always look to source from local purveyors as much as possible. Visiting the French markets is something I always delight in and I’ve discovered such amazing flavors as I’ve entrenched myself in their beautiful cuisine. 

15 French Picnic Foods

When in the South of France, I love having my hotel arrange a prepared picnic basket of French pique nique foods. Many hotels offer this service at an affordable rate and their on property kitchens will prepare the perfect French picnic for you to take and enjoy. They’ll usually include a picnic blanket and utensils so you really don’t have to worry about anything.

With my travel atelier, En Route to Rêverie we also often help arrange beautiful, high-end picnics for our clients while they are in France. 

In Paris I will often shop at a favorite local market and some local shops like the butcher, boulangerie, fromagerie and patisserie or if I am short on time I will go to  La Grande Épicerie in Paris.

Baguette

No picnic is complete without a baguette. I like to order mine pas trop cuite which means not too cooked. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a fresh baguette, still warm having just been taken out of the oven.

Butter

I always buy a pad of my favorite French butter. I prefer beurre demi-sel which means half salted. Leave it to the French to not just have salted and unsalted as we do in the United States!

There is nothing I love more than tearing off a bit of baguette and smearing it through room temperature demi-sel butter. Absolute heaven!

Sandwiches

If you’d like to eat something more substantial, pop into any boulangerie and pick out your preferred baguette sandwich. You’ll often find jambon beurre (ham and butter), saucisson (sausage), jambon fromage (ham and cheese) and a veggie option; among others.

Salad Nicoise

Salade niçoise is a classic French tuna salad that is light and fresh and perfect to enjoy with your picnic. Especially if you are pescatarian! 

Roast Chicken

Perfectly cooked Roast Chicken is one of the most famous traditional French foods and as such you’ll often find leftovers packed in picnic baskets of the French. 

French Cheeses

But of course!

I like to pick up several types of French cheeses when shopping for my traditional French picnic. I’ll take any excuse to try new cheeses recommended to me by the Fromagerie but I almost always end up with a goat cheese, an extra creamy triple cream cheese (best served at room temperature so it is extra gooey!) and a hard cheese. 

Charcuterie

No picnic is complete for me without cured meats. I love French saucisson in particular and you can find all sorts of varieties – some with dried fruit or unique spices – at the markets through Paris and other regions of France.

Radishes

I adore fresh, crispy radishes in France when dipped in creamy, half salted butter. It is so refreshing and a lovely tradition you also may come across at certain restaurants in France.

Fresh Fruit

Head to the market and buy whatever fruit is in season! I love having apricots, strawberries, raspberries and cherries in particular but I’ll usually buy whatever looks (and smells!) the most delicious from what’s in season.

Nuts

I like adding some marcona almonds to my picnic spread. 

Jams and Honey

Little mini jars of jam and honey are perfect to pack in your French picnic basket to add to your baguette or atop your cheese.

Pate and Foie Gras

Pate en Croute is a popular French dish you’ll find throughout and almost every French grandmother has their preferred methodology and recipe. Meat is chopped up and put within the buttery walls of puff pastry. It is delicious!

Are you a fan of foie gras? Grab a tin to spread on crackers or your baguette. 

Pastries

No French picnic is complete without pastries from the local patisserie. Lemon tarts, raspberry tarts, eclairs and macarons all tend to travel well and you can usually eat them easily without utensils. 

Wine

Don’t forget to bring a bottle of chilled rose or crisp white to your picnic! Pack a wine opener in your picnic basket, too. Or consider some French champagne. 

Water

Wash everything down with some water and stay hydrated on hot summer days by packing some still or sparkling in your French picnic basket.

. . .

Have you had a picnic in France? I’d love to hear what you always pack in your picnic basket!

Heading to France? Book En Route to Rêverie with me and get customized recommendations based on your travel preferences to make your next trip the best one yet.

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