Before I planned my latest adventure to Paris, I just knew my sisters and I had to have the perfect picnic by the Eiffel Tower that I had always dreamed about. I mean, who doesn’t want to picnic in front of one of the world’s most famous monuments?

We had made our plans that morning, thinking it would be a breeze to find the perfect Patisserie or Boulangerie with delicious paninis, macaroons, and new treats we hadn’t tried before. It felt like we had seen them at just about every turn the two days before. For some crazy reason, it was just our luck that we wandered around the streets for over an hour looking for just the right place to satisfy all of our food cravings! (Maybe we were just a little picky… but how many times do you get to picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower?! It had to be just right!)

So, in order for you to have that ultimate picnic experience, follow these eight steps from me. I know they’ll come in handy!

Step One:

You know you’ve been eyeing that giant macaroon that you didn’t know existed since you first arrived in Paris. Buy it. Trust me, the bigger the better. No picnic is complete without a Parisian macaroon! I recommend stopping at Gerard Mulot. Their vanilla flavor is a must try!

Step Two:

When you find a shop that looks promising, go for it. Get your panini and treats to go and hop on the nearest Metro! It’s easy to get lost on the metro, so make sure to get off on the Champ de Mars stop.

Step Three:

No matter how many times I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower, it never ceases to take my breath away. Journey your way to the lawn on the left side of the Eiffel Tower where you’ll find both locals and tourists alike enjoying their afternoon with friends, munching on the yummy bites that Paris has to offer.

Step Four:

Picnic time is no time to worry about your diet. My sisters and I didn’t plan on getting as much food as we did…The lady insisted we try more of her desserts, and of course, we just couldn’t say no!

Step Five:

Here I am enjoying quite possibly one of the best sandwiches of my life. And yes—there was butter in it. You heard me correctly: IN it. Not on the outside but on the inside. Instead of mayonnaise or mustard, they just use butter, and by all means, that is definitely alright with me.

Step Six:

Bring the selfie stick. You might look “slightly” touristy, but hey the photo opp is way more important, isn’t it? My sisters and I wouldn’t have been able to get some of my all-time favorite photos like we did without it.

Step Seven:

Sprawl out with the perfect company and soak up the fact that you’re eating a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower! Don’t let the moment go to waste because looking back on my trip, this really does make the top of my list for favorite memories.

Step Eight:

And lastly, stick around the area and come back at night on the hour so you can catch the Eiffel Tower light up at night! There are so many great stores and shops to explore just steps away from the Eiffel Tower that can fill up your afternoon. It truly is one of the most magical things I’ve seen to this day. (Don’t be late…It only twinkles for the first five minutes of every hour!)

Kisses,

Abigail