Only wooden disposable utensils can now be sold. I always travel with my own spoon, fork and knife for "emergency" use.

What Renoir painting? You mean when I said I might be considering a Montmartre restaurant because it had an association with a Renoir painting? I think you misunderstood - that part had nothing to do with picnics or benches. To clarify, it was in reference to... maybe... booking a table at Moulin de la Galette.

The picnic part was a whole different thing and what we sat on was pretty much irrelevant (to me anyway) as was the role of public seating in fine art. lol Sorry if I've been unclear..

Yes, of course - wooden cutlery. It's 2023 after all. You won't find plastic cutlery or straws here either anymore. Thanks for the replies.

Actually gathering up a picnic in bits and pieces sounds pretty entertaining. Going to stick one of our shopping bags that fold up to pocket size in the suitcase.

We always pack a small picnic kit with paper plates, cheap cutlery, napkins, a few disposable cups, a corkscrew, a plastic bag for trash cleanup) and are ready for any impromptu picnic. Our sources are often the local street market (bread here, cheese there, charcuterie here, vegetables there, fruits here, etc.) where small quantities are not discouraged. A bottle of rose wine from the cheap wine case, a park with a bench, and we're ready to go. If you are not near a street market, there will be a shopping street where you can assemble the same. Or stop in at a traiteur for a French take on great take-out. Or, just get a premade sandwich and a pastry at most bakeries. If you are near a Kaiser, get that stuff there for top quality. You already know about the omnipresent rotisserie chickens, which are fresh and delicious. Have fun!

Thank you AJ. Plates and napkins do seem like they'd make a meal a little more manageable. Probably easier for us to pop into a supermarket and grab a couple of convenience items rather than make room in the luggage but definitely a good call.

I've been mentally debating about wine. If it were my wife and I, we'd be up for a bottle in the park. But probably not a workable plan while solo parenting lol. No worries, happy to have a glass when we do hit a restaurant or keep working on a bottle back at the room and that way I don't have to carry the rest of the bottle around with me. I actually never thought of a corkscrew though. Australian wines have all pretty much changed over to screw top but I would think France might be more traditional about that sort of thing.

If you're looking for crepes, it'll be easy to find them all over - BUT one of my favorite crepe stands, which makes ginormous crepes with all kinds of stuffings, is called Au P'tit Grec on Rue Mouffetard. Coincidentally, there are also many markets, fromageries, and boulangeries on this street if the crepes don't suit you. But what I'd do is get crepes at Au P'tit Grec and then walk over to Jardins des Plantes (about 10 mins away) and have a picnic there. Not sure if you can sit on the grass, but there are loads of benches and it's one of the prettiest parks in Paris, complete with a rose garden. There's also a zoo and natural history museum next to it, which you and your daughter might enjoy exploring afterwards.

Other ideas:
Any boulangerie near the Seine (or really all over Paris) will also sell pre-made but fresh sandwiches, which could be an easy fix for your picnics
You CAN have picnics at Place des Vosges, if you're looking for a "park" that is more central (really cute park square surrounded by historic buildings, but it can get crowded)
I also love having picnics at the Luxembourg Gardens, even if you do have to sit on the chairs/loungers that are provided. Depending on how young your daughter is, she might enjoy playing with the sailboats on the pond there, too.

A Croques Monsieur or a Quiche in Paris, outdoors.....bliss

Full disclosure: from an old thread, I know CC can't stand the 70s Aussie rock band 'Skyhooks'. I was teasing and taking the piss. He knows that.

Btw CC, one bistro that comes to mind is the popular co-op 'Le Temps des Cerises' in funky Buttes-aux Cailles. One could conceivably visit the Pantheon as added value.
Or....do a 2-fer: visit the Grande Mosque and also eat at their cute cafe.
Carry on, allons-y!

I am done. le bettong

Beware of the price of rotisserie chickens. Although the price in my area has risen from 4.50€ to 6€, I think that in central Paris, they are often sold for 15€. (Another reason to go to an outer area like the Buttes Chaumont).

Where are you two on the Melborne Ska Orchestra?

on another note (see what I did there) what about Bresse chicken?

Bresse chicken is a marketing scam to jack up the price as high as possible.

We have many times just wanted a quick and simple lunch. Our usual "go to" then is to look for a Paul (or another boulangerie), get a sandwich and a drink then find a suitable bench nearby. Paul has many locations around the city. Here's what they offer for sandwiches:
https://www.paul.fr/dejeuner/sandwichs . If you click on a sandwich you will see a full description. This menu is for pre-ordering for pick-up, but we have always found a good selection of made-up sandwiches in the shops. Many boulangeries also have pre-made sandwiches to carry out. Have a great trip!

what... you'll be ruining my ideas of Appellation Controllee and marketing /s :-)

But Bresse chickens have Blue Feet!

Oh, and forget saving luggage space by not bringing a rather compact picnic kit. Everything is disposable. Packing the kit saves the time at your destination looking for and buying items for your kit. Abandoning it on departure leaves more room in the baggage for souvenirs. I keep the corkscrew, of course.

Our understanding is those who consume that poulet de Bresse thereafter experience:

-a full night's sleep
-freedom from any disease known to humanity
-an increase in IQ up to but not limited to 164
-a decrease in body weight (varies)
-enhanced orgasm
-a doubling of their bank savings account
-a free box set of Skyhooks live performances culminating in their historic gig last year at Shnrelb's 'Good-peoples-so-we-decide-no-kills-them' Stadium

This would be my choice as well. And I would simply get a sandwich at a nearby boulangerie.

CC, these little bamboo sets are cute and fun to use -
4 Sets Bamboo Utensils, Wooden Utensils Set Reusable Cutlery Travel Chopsticks Fork Spoons Straw for Travel Picnic Office School
- from the "Boao Store"
A set of 4 for $14
I keep them in a backpack

Add a few zip lock plastic bags to the picnic kit. Check the location of street markets in your targeted areas ​. Le marche des enfants rouges. Le grand marche. All good for picnic provisions.

I do not recall where you are staying. Will you have a refrigerator? I’d expect to have leftovers if you purchase un poulet roti. We liked a bit of jambon de Parme with our breakfast baguette or croissants.

Wishing you excellent adventures!