The air is starting to get crisp in Paris, and just like that, it's fall again. It's wild to think about the first brutal European week-long heatwave that Romaine and I survived was just weeks ago. Because we now live in a Parisian apartment, we DO NOT have air conditioning—yes...it's drama. We had to quickly learn how to stay cool with what we have. Our routine consisted of opening all windows at night to let the tepid air in, closing them with the shutters early in the morning to keep the disrespectfully hot air out, and sitting beside our fans all day misting ourselves with water for momentary relief. Before the scorch-fest, I had planned an intimate picnic to celebrate Romaine's birthday, which would happen at the heat wave's peak. I fretted about how we would deal.
A word on picnicking in Paris: On any nice warm-ish (not raining) day, you'll find folks dining outside at one of the many manicured and accessible parks throughout the city. The numerous parks and public green spaces function as crucial third places for city dwellers. A third place is a space outside of the home ("first" place) and work ("second" place) where folks can relax and connect—bars, cafes, parks, churches, libraries, etc. Parisian parks have been designed for peak comfort and include adequate seating, ornate views, greenery, trash/recycling, and sometimes fountains for glamour and to cool the surrounding areas.
So, on the steaming day of our picnic (the high was 100 degrees—help!), we arrived around 8 pm to Place des Vosges—a stunning little square with a tree-lined perimeter, benches, fountains, and plenty of grassy areas. We spread our blankets on a patch of grass near a fountain, and I marveled at the refreshing puffs of crisp air rolling off the water. As the sun set, the temperature dropped, and so did my heat-induced anxiety. I decompressed in the fresh evening air as our friends showed up to share a lovely summer meal.
Here are some tips and things to consider when planning and organizing a pique-nique to make it as chic and stress-free as possible.
Communications and Logistics
Who
Be intentional with the guest list and keep it intimate. Be especially cautious and consider the wellbeing of yourself and those around you.
When, Where, & What to Bring?
Streamline communications—throw everyone on a group chat.
Pick a date and time, and send a calendar invite; follow-up a day or two before the event.
Provide enough time for folks to get groceries, cook, etc. You're grown—three days minimum and ideally a week to prep.
Be inclusive by inquiring about dietary restrictions. If someone has different needs, use this opportunity to get creative.
Set everyone up for success with clear expectations. Share what you'll bring and what you'd like your guests to contribute.
I might say, "We're planning to bring a pasta salad, a chickpea salad, fruit, wine, water, plates, silverware, and some cups. Please bring some food and drinks to share and a blanket!"
Pick a specific location and share it with folks when setting the date. If the picnic is in a large park, pick a landmark or drop a pin. This little courtesy will help your guests figure out travel logistics.
What She Packs
Bringing the right items can make the picnic feel comfortable and easy. We are lucky to have a dishwasher at home, so it's easy for us to bring our non-fragile reusable kitchenware to share with our guests. Be resourceful and think about how you can reuse and re purpose old take-out containers as plates or Tupperware, and cute jars as cups or containers.
These are the things you'll see in our tote bags for picnics:
Enamel plates (I have six from IKEA, and they're a couple of bucks each) and a few shallow take-out containers if we need more than 6 plates.
Enamel cups and small yogurt/jam jars for drinks
A portable speaker (not allowed in French parks, but if you're allowed, bring it for the vibes)
A blanket or two
A trash bag and recycling bag (the parks here have recycling and garbage options)
Metal forks and spoons for each person
One or two small knives for cheese and spreads
Serving utensils
Napkins
A bottle opener
Two insulated water bottles: one filled with ice and one filled with water
Hand sanitizer
Lighter
Mosquito repellent incenses that I light and stick around the perimeter
What She Cooks
I prefer picnic foods that are easy to eat and easy to share. Consider if the food will be alright to sit out and bring a serving utensil for the dish you contribute. If you're not into cooking, no worries, get easy to assemble items (fruit, charcuterie, cheeses, dips). Here are some of the foods and some of my picnic-friendly recipes:
Dips (houmous, eggplant dip, and pesto)
Pre-cut and washed veggies
Pre-cut and washed fruit
Crackers or chips
Bread
Cheeses
Charcuterie
Kimbap
Sandwiches
Pasta/potato salad
Desserts
Be a Dope Guest
If you're not planning the event, be a dope guest. Come correct, and have a good time.
RSVP promptly and commit to a decision. If you can attend, excellent! If you can't, no worries, politely decline. Be clear and timely with your communication.
Show up on time. A fifteen-minute grace period is a given when commuting in a city. Showing up a couple of hours late, however, is not respecting someone else's time.
If you plan to bring a guest, ask the host for permission, and relay it to the group. Communicating this information to the host and guest shows gives folks time to adjust the quantity of food they're preparing. Also, set the new guests up for success and let them know the expectations of the picnic.
Be helpful. Set-up, pass food around, and clean up.
Do you have any pique-nique tips? Share in the comments below!
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