A particularly good restaurant a stone’s throw away is La Cuisine de Philippe, a 2013 Michelin Bib Gourmand. (25 rue Servandoni, lunch and dinner, cl Sun and Mon, 01.43.29.76.37). Philippe specializes in souffles, both savory and sweet, and his lobster bisque souffle as an appetizer is worth the trip alone.

For true budget travelers, there is a McDonalds across from the park (65 blvd St Michel), and half of the French young people in the park will be eating from a “McDo” bag. Alternatively, there is a Monop’ at 35 (4 minutes) and a full blown Monoprix at 24 (6 minutes, small takeout shop on the ground floor, full supermarket in the basement.)