Picnic by the Eiffel Tower

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When you visit Paris, it’s natural that you want to see the Eiffel Tower. On my solo visit to Paris I discovered my all time favorite Paris activity, which just so happened to be budget friendy: a picnic by the Eiffel Tower. There are a few different ways to do have a picnic, and here are my easiest steps for any visitor to Paris.

The beautiful part of having a picnic by the Eiffel Tower, is you can make the experience completely you’re own! Whether you want to buy food to bring, buy food to make, or simply bring a bottle of wine, the choice is yours. I stayed in the 6th Arr., and was walking distance to the metro. No matter where you stay in Paris, this is an easy activity to add to your itinerary. Here are the steps I recommend for the ideal picnic in Paris.

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Taking the Metro to the Eiffel Tower

Best Metro Lines & Stops:

• Line 6 – Bir-Hakeim
  Best overall option. This stop is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. Line 6 is partly above ground, offering scenic views as you approach—especially memorable when crossing the Seine.
• Line 8 – École Militaire
  Ideal if you want to walk straight through the Champ de Mars toward the tower. This is a great choice if you plan to picnic on the lawn with the Eiffel Tower directly in front of you.
• Line 9 – Trocadéro
  Perfect for iconic photos before your picnic. From Trocadéro, cross the Seine and walk down toward the tower, then continue to the Champ de Mars or nearby green spaces.
• Lines 6, 8 , 10 – La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle
  I talk about more this stop when it comes to grab snacks and beverages because there’s a Monoprix and Sushi Spot.

Grab snacks and beverages

There’s several Metro stops in Paris that will bring you close to the Eiffel Tower. If you can, take the Metro to Le Motte Poquette. Le Motte Poquette is a short walk from a Monoprix, or grocery store. Monoprix will have everything you need: meat, cheese, wine, bear, corkscrew, and more.

If you’re with a group, it makes sense to grab charcuterie items and make a aesthetic spread for your picnic. I was solo and lazy, so I have another recommendation if you’re like me. Across the street from the Monoprix is a Sushi Spot. I grabbed an assortment of sushi to go and paired it with the wine I selected from Monoprix. Don’t forget a corkscrew!

Note: You can bring your own food and drinks to the park areas near the Eiffel Tower, but glass bottles and cans might not be allowed right on the Tower structure itself. The official site notes drink/food is allowed in reasonable amounts at the discretion of staff, but glass containers can be restricted.

Walk to Parc du Champ Mars

Once you have all the items you want, it’s about a three block walk down Av. de la Motte-Picquet to Parc du Champ de Mars. Champ de Mars is the park that’s in front of the Eiffel tower, the perfect spot to set up your picnic.

You won’t be the only one with this plan, but don’t worry. I easily found a spot to enjoy my picnic, and it didn’t feel too crowded. There are going to people walking around trying to sell you things, but they aren’t aggressive. Once you tell them you aren’t interested, they walk away.

Don’t forget a blanket!

The only thing I didn’t have, is a blanket. I recommend bringing a blanket or even a towel from the hotel. If you don’t have either, you can still enjoy your picnic.

Ideal picnic checklist:

• Picnic blanket
• Napkins and wet wipes
• Trash bags
• Sun protection
• Food and beverages

Optional picnic checklist:

• Corkscrew
• Cooler or insulated bag
• Portable speaker, games
• Layers in case it gets cold when the sun goes down

Final Thoughts

A picnic by the Eiffel tower is such a fun way to enjoy Paris in the warm weather. If you enjoy a picnic in Paris, a picnic when you’re visiting Versailles is also a great way to enjoy your time in an iconic place in France.