What to buy for a French picnic

A French picnic needs more than baguettes, cheese and wine. Plan the food, serving equipment and outdoor setup around your final guest count, then allow enough time to chill drinks and prepare salads, quiches, fruit and desserts. This list covers the items that are easy to overlook, including coolers, bottle openers, serving trays, reusable tableware, shade and waste bins. Add portions only after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 3
Parasolqty 4
Tableclothqty 9

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 60
Reusable coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 50
Napkin holderqty 6

Kitchen

Serving traysqty 8
Salad bowlsqty 6
Bread basketsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Portable speaker
Extension cordqty 2

Decorations

French buntingqty 4
Flower vasesqty 6
Table décorqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2
Storage cratesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Whole wheat baguettes - 4 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Camembert - 1.2 kilo
- Comté - 1,2 kilo
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Blue cheese - 600 grams
- Jambon de Paris - 1,5 kilograms
- Serrano ham - 1 kilo
- Salami - 800 gram
- Vegetarian pâté - 600 grams
- Quiche Lorraine - 4 pieces
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Mixed green lettuce - 1.5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Cornichons - 4 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Pears - 15 pieces
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Macarons - 80 pieces
- Madeleines - 60 pieces
- Lemon tart - 3 pieces
- Chocolate mousse - 40 servings
- Almonds - 600 grams
- Walnuts - 600 grams
- Honey - 2 jars
- Fig jam - 3 jars
- Dijon mustard - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Red wine vinegar - 1 bottle
- Provençal herbs - 2 jars
- Sea salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Still water - 30 bottles
- Sparkling water - 20 bottles
- Lemonade - 10 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Grape juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Plan one baguette for every two to three people, then add extra if bread is the main accompaniment. Buy cheese and cold cuts in separate quantities so you can record portions before shopping.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, plus water throughout the picnic. Chill bottles before leaving and pack at least one cooler for drinks and another for food that must stay cold.
Take one reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least five extra complete settings. Pack reusable coffee cups separately so they are still clean when dessert or coffee is served.
Pack one serving tray or bowl for each prepared food category, along with serving spoons, tongs and bread baskets. Bring at least two cutting boards and two sharp kitchen knives for bread, fruit and cheese.
Plan seating and shade before loading the car: provide one picnic blanket space per two people, one folding chair per seated guest, and a parasol if the park has no reliable shade. Add waste bins and tablecloths before the final checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a French picnic?: For a meal-style picnic, plan roughly 250–350 g of savoury food per adult, including quiche, salads, cheese, cold cuts and bread. Add 100–150 g of fruit or dessert per person, then adjust for children and dietary requirements.
How many drinks should I buy for a French picnic?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water separately, and chill the drinks at least 4–6 hours before leaving if possible.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a picnic?: Pack one reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus five extra sets for dropped or dirty items. Bring one reusable coffee cup per coffee drinker and keep a few extras available.
What should I pack to keep picnic food cold?: Use at least one cooler for drinks and one for quiches, salads, cheese, cold cuts and cut fruit when the guest list is more than 10 people. Load chilled food just before departure and keep coolers closed until serving.

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