This isn't a place that I would ordinarily find myself as an overseas visitor to France but,…read morewithout a doubt, I'm glad that my routing took me here--just wish that I didn't have a suitcase in tow. See, I was on my way from Grenoble to Charles de Gaulle to fly out. I arrived at the bus station in the early morning and had some time to kill before I needed to get on the metro. The park, with its abundant seating areas and no lack of greenery, made for a great place to spend the time--much better than a Brioche Doree or Starbucks. Parc de Bercy is sizable, with enough features to ensure it would be fresh on multiple visits, though I only directly experienced a few of them. Plus, it wasn't too busy in the morning--good for catching a break while traveling but not great for people-watching.

If you've ever dreamt of having a proper rosé-fromage-baguette picnic in a lovely French park…read moresetting, Bercy is your dream come true. It's like 3 different parks in one, so be sure to stroll the entire span of it before picking your spot. There's a family-friendly area with a carousel and big oak trees. Next, a botanical garden with hidden patches of greenery to pitch your blanket on. And lastly (my favorite) a large shady area with a rivers, ponds, fountains lots of youngins napping peacefully (ok, they were all making out) and enjoying the good life on a Saturday afternoon. It feels like a great getaway from the speedy Parisian pace.

As he was growing up, the Parisian artist, Gustave Caillebotte spent many summers with his family…read moreat a fine property in Yerres, a small town 12 miles or thereabouts to the south of Paris. From the standpoint of municipal spending and restoration, the recently-reopened Parc Caillebotte is a success story. The former Caillebotte family's summer residence now houses two permanent exhibitions, the Orangery down by the river provides the venue for visiting exhibitions, there are extensive grounds and quirky buildings to explore, as well as fine dining opportunities. Located on the Yerres River, impressionist art buffs may recognise the Parc as the setting for various of Gustave Caillebotte's paintings, such as Les Oragers. For those of us who are permanently in search of a gastro-fix, visit the curious Swiss chalet-style building, where you will find the Chalet du Parc restaurant, the latest of chef Philippe Detourbe's culinary ventures. The food is an excellent modern French-European fusion and the staff are attentive beyond belief, but the prices are therefore at the upper end of things. To temper the effect on your bank balance, go for one of the prix fixe menus and avoid the kir vin blanc aperitif at EUR9.00 a pop, we found these extortionate. And there we were, thinking that by not having the grander kir royal option we were exercising moderation... On our visit it was a grey, February day, yet I look forward to returning in the finer months because the Parc is filled with interest and possibility, from taking in some local culture via the exhibitions, to simply picnicking on the broad lawn; from renting a boat on the adjacent river to visiting the extensive vegetable patch, there's something for all ages here and you don't even have to like Gustave Caillebotte's work to enjoy it here, although it does help, especially as there isn't much about his work not to like and besides which, spotting his locations is fun all on its own. Entrance free to the grounds. EUR1.00 for admission to the 'Potager' or vegetable garden. Opening hours: From 1st August to 30 September: 9am to 8pm From 1st October to 31st October: 9am to 6pm From 1st November to 31st March: from 9am to 5.30pm From 1st April to 30 May: from 9am to 8.30pm From 1st June to 31 July: from 9am to 9pm

Parc de Sceaux absolutely blew me away. I can't believe such a beautiful, open park can be accessed…read morein Paris where it felt like you could really just enjoy nature at its finest. I recently attended a big event hosted in the park and was very impressed with the environment. Well maintained lawn area with fountains and shady paths during hot days... so much of the park was made for a nice walk or a few hours of lounging. I highly recommend bringing snacks and doing a picnic here. This is truly one of the best parks I've ever frequented. The park is easily accessed via train but you'll need to make sure your specific one stops at the station. It's a 15 minute walk from the station and well worth the effort.

Parks are one of the things the French do best and this one's a beaut. A half mile square of…read morecascades and statues and manicured trees. It's just lovely. There's a little cafe in the middle of the park. When the weather's nice you can enjoy your cappuccino or Orangina as you watch the runners and the kids pass by. And you can do all that in a park surrounded by one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods you'll ever see. Amazing. There's nothing quite like this in the States.

A little run down, but with its street art and Eiffel Tower views, it's a gem. There's plenty of…read moretrails and places to sit.

A lovely park where my family and I stopped for our first picnic on our first day in Paris. This…read morepark was within walking distance of our home and there were tons of grocery stores before the park so we could buy our food beforehand. From the top balcony you get a very nice view of Paris and there's even a little information plaque that tells you what you're looking at in the distance.

After writing 60 Yelp reviews about Paris from our recent vacation, I decided to share the most…read moremagical spot in the city. I had seen it in several movies usually when they pull the camera back to show how romantic Paris can be. It's the tip of Île de la Cité on the Seine and provides inviting views of the Louvre, the Left Bank, and the boats on the river. There are benches, but the prime spot to sit is the ledge at the very tip under the weeping willows. Although the park is nothing more than a small patch of greenery shaped like a teardrop, strolling around the perimeter will make you feel like Audrey Hepburn on a fashion shoot. RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/zgkvOwnB6r

It's a nice, quiet green space off the Pont Neuf. But people leave trash and spit on the ground and…read moregrass so beware where you sit! Carry a blanket or towel for a clean spot. It was busy when we visited so the benches were occupied. Don't miss the far end of it, it's a spot for photos of the Seine.

A lovely hidden gem on the east side of Paris! Parc Floral…read morede Paris is a charming spot where you can easily spend a full or half day. There are two restaurants on-site, but you're also welcome to bring your own picnic and relax in the gardens. The entrance fee is very reasonable--under 3 euros per person--and the park offers plenty of space to explore, unwind, or simply enjoy nature. It's an ideal escape for families, couples, or anyone looking for a peaceful break from the city.

This place was so pretty! Definitely pack a lunch and blanket! It's the perfect place for a picnic…read more It is also very huge, so bring good walking shoes!

This is my third favourite large parc in paris. While it used to serve as a Meat market, now it…read moreboasts a large duck pond, a merry go round, three playgrounds, and a donkey statue; all things my daughter loves. Lots of runners in this parc though, so make sure you keep an eye out. It also has nice scenery for adults and boats an old book market on Sunday mornings. I don't think it's ideal for laying out, but the locals don't seem to mind and use it for sun bathing on that one day of the year the sun comes out in Paris. Overall, I'd prefer an afternoon in montsouris, but this Park is still assure to satisfy.

An excellent park for little kids (6 and under), with three enclosed playgrounds (one with sand!),…read morea pond, merry-go-round, and plenty of room to explore. If going to a park daily is as an integral part of your life as eating breakfast and bathing, whether on vacation or not, then this park is worth seeking out. There are plenty of grocers and food places in the neighborhood for making a picnic or eating nearby.