The first picnic

The first picnic appeared in Les Charmans effects des barricades (1649), a burlesque satire on the perceived hypocrisy of the Fronde.

The main character, ‘Pique-Nique,’ is a glutton just like his friends, which stands in contrast to the food shortages caused by the rebellion. His name probably referred to an excessively large meal, enjoyed at other people's expense.