I remember something very specific about my first visit to Paris over 20 years ago. I recall seeing people walking down the street, baguette or ficelle (a skinny baguette) from the local boulangerie in one hand, and some kind of chic grocery bag in the other. I thought to myself: Hmmmm, why carry the bread like that? In the U.S., the bread goes in the bag. Apparently, this is the way you carry your baguette home with you in France. But the next part is interesting: I only presumed they were heading home, until I meandered to the banks of the Seine. And that’s where it all became clear. Baguette in one hand, picnic accoutrements in the other (that’s what was in the bag). Along the river banks, I saw couples delighting in the lovely French pastime of enjoying an impromptu picnic.
“OUTDOOR DINING”, FRENCH STYLE
“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.” – John Keats
Even though he wasn’t French, John Keats, the English poet, got it right. And so did painters (particularly the French ones).
The French picnic has famously been depicted in art, most notably “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe” (“Luncheon on the Grass”) by Edouard Manet in 1863 (below left), and another version by the same title a couple of years later by his contemporary, Claude Monet. Two very different styles of picnics (as you can see, the Manet version was, for one, a clothing-optional affair).
LEFT, Edouard Manet; RIGHT: Claude Monet (both on display at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris)
WHAT MAKES A PICNIC ‘VERY FRENCH’?
First off, it’s attitude. This is a simple affair, not a big production. French picnics have a carefree and relaxed air about them. A selection of cheeses, a little charcuterie, a little pâté and fruit. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a French picnic without French wine (more on that later).
Mise-en-scène
When I was producing photo shoots for gardening, design and lifestyle magazines, I set up my fair share of mise-en-scène (“scenarios”) with outdoor dining. Below are a few examples of outdoor photo shoots I produced and styled, to give you some inspiration.
BOTTOM LEFT: John Bessler; BOTTOM RIGHT: Michael Partenio
MY TRIP TO PROVENCE AS INSPIRATION
One of the best trips I’ve ever taken was my week-long visit to the Provence region in Southeastern France (about a 3 hour TGV train ride from Paris). I made my home base in the walled city of Avignon, and took day trips to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Gigondas, Cairanne, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and I’sle-sur-la-Sorgue (famous for its antique markets). The color palette and light in the Provence region was ethereal. Here are a few highlights:
The color palette and French flair was the inspiration for my French picnic, shown in the photos below. I’ll share with you how to create a French picnic – whether in a nearby park, the beach, or even your back yard! It’s the mood (and the food) that counts.
I’ve created a chic and simple picnic set-up that you can do at home. This would be a wonderful surprise for your significant other (as in: “Honey, let’s go to – insert favorite outdoor spot here – and have a picnic. I’ve got everything all set!)
FRENCH PICNIC PROVISIONS
Of course, with all things French, it starts with the FOOD (and a stylish picnic basket)!
FRENCH CHEESES
It wouldn’t be a French picnic without the most quintessential of French foods – fromage (cheese). Below are images of the delicious cheese selection at the market in I’sle-sur-la-Sorgue that I sampled.
Of course, a wheel of traditional French Brie would be right at home in a French picnic, but this is a good opportunity to expand your palette and try some new things! A few of my favorites are creamy and buttery cow’s milk Brillat-Savarin from Burgundy (named for the famed epicure), Roquefort (a rich blue cheese), Tomme de Savoie, a semi-soft cheese from the French Alps, and Morbier, a semi-soft cheese with a thin black line through the center. You can find these at a gourmet grocery store or Whole Foods (which has a fabulous cheese department). If you’re lucky enough to have Trader Joe’s where you live, I have a few favorites you can pick up there: Laura Chenel Goat Brie (made in California, but in the French cheesemaking style), Marin Petite Breakfast Cheese, Le Délice de Bourgogne and Saint André (super rich and delicious!).
CHARCUTERIE
What’s cheese without some charcuterie friends? Some good choices are Saussicon sec (dry cured fermented salami), Pâté de Campagne (a savory pork loaf, flavored with onions, white pepper, and cognac) and Jambon de Bayonne (the French equivalent to Italian prosciutto).
ACCOMPANIMENTS
A fruit option is always nice as a counterpart to the rich cheeses and charcuterie. Grapes, pears, apricots – whatever is in season. Cornichons (little pickles), Green olive tapenade (to spread on bread) and Picholine olives are nice accompaniments and are very French! And a little “sweet something” like classic French macarons is a nice ending to a picnic.
DON’T FORGET THE BREAD!
Bread is absolutely essential to a French picnic – a classic baguette, fresh from the oven (preferably) and you’re all set! And, if you’re an ambitious home cook, you can learn how to make bread from the owner of, arguably, the best boulangerie in all of Paris, Poilâne (the line usually goes out the door and around the block – and it’s worth it!). Their cookbook, “Poilâne: The Secrets of the World-Famous Bread Bakery” is the newest addition to my cookbook library.
ONE OTHER OPTION
If you want a picnic that is all put together for you, look to none other than Ms. Martha Stewart, who has curated a French picnic basket filled to the brim with French cheeses, ham, chocolates, butter croissants, and other surprises (all in a reusable basket). At just under $200, what a FABULOUS GIFT IDEA for your weekend host or hostess. You can get the link to buy it here.
THE ULTIMATE PICNIC WINE
One of the highlights of my visit to Provence was visiting the vineyards and wineries of the Rhône Valley. I tasted many new varietals, including white Chateauneuf-du-Pape (unbelievable), Carignan, and a whole lot of rosé.
I have a confession to make – before I visited Provence, I wasn’t a fan of “pink wines”. We all know there are good and bad versions of wine, and unfortunately, many versions of “White Zinfandel” fall into the latter category. That is, until I tasted the wine shown in the photo below (if you can find Domaine de Mourchon rosé, it’s worth a splurge). After a day of French wine tasting, I became a rosé convert, and my favorites are from France. In my opinion, a bottle of rosé completes your French picnic experience.
MY FRENCH WINE PICKS
My favorite rosés that are pretty readily available are Fleur de Mer (lovely, with a hint of lavender), Olema Côtes de Provence and Gérard Bertrand Cote des Rosé (by the way, the bottle is beautiful – I save it for my limoncello making). All are around $15-$19 a bottle. I’m also linking to an article on French rosés at the end of the post.
STYLING YOUR PICNIC
Your French picnic just needs a few elements to come together.
PICNIC BLANKET
For my picnic à la française (above), I started with a twin-sized matelasse coverlet. Here are a couple of options, in a similar style to my blanket that I bought at a brocante market in Provence (in classic French stripe and toile patterns). Click on the images to take you to the shopping link:
PICNIC BASKET (Bien sûr)
A beautiful, tricked-out picnic basket is a must (I recommend a basket that has an insulated cooler). I like the ones that come with plates and glassware and compartments for everything. Here are a few stylish options, including the picnic basket shown in my photo shoot images.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR THE PRODUCT LINK
FINISHING TOUCHES
A classic French market basket, fresh-picked flowers (very casual, preferably from your garden), and a cute hat and you’re all set! (Here’s the hat I’m wearing in the photo and it’s my favorite. By the way, it says “men’s hat”, but it’s adjustable and unisex – and a great price point!)
CREATE YOUR OWN FRENCH PICNIC
Shop the gallery below to create your own picnic, à la française!
CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW FOR PRODUCT LINKS
I’ve also compiled a selection of books about the art of the picnic (French style), bread making from the famed Poilâne bakery, French fromages and, of course, wines. Click on the images to take you to the shopping link.
MORE FRENCH INSPIRATION
For more inspiration and info about all things French, please check out one of my favorite travel and lifestyle websites, Janine Marsh’s The Good Life France (and her wonderful quarterly magazine). I look forward to her animated newsletters every Saturday in my “inbox”. To learn more about French rosé wine, here’s a link to a story featured in The Good Life France:
https://thegoodlifefrance.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-french-rose-wine/
Au revoir, and thanks for stopping by! I hope this post inspires you to Make Your Every Day More Beautiful® with a ‘pique-nique’ à la française!
