Centuries ago, France was known for three great wine regions: Burgundy, Bordeaux and... Paris. Yes, the capital was a benchmark for wine, especially at a time when wine was of poor quality and consumed on a par with water (sometimes even by children).
In those days, the capital was home to a number of vineyards, which have now disappeared: we now have more than a dozen, the best known of which is the vineyard of Montmartre, for its annual Vendanges festival. But they can also be found all over the capital: in the 19th arrondissement, on the Butte Bergeyre; in the 12th, in the heart of the Parc de Bercy; in the 15th, in the Parc Georges Brassens; and in Belleville, in the eponymous park.
If these vines are planted in the heart of our Parisian parks, it's because they're not the remnants of the capital's former winegrowing operations, but rather these "new" vines were planted a posteriori, in the 20th century, in the historic districts of Parisian vineyards. In some years, the Mairie de Paris (which manages the city's vineyards) even offers to harvest gra pes in the capital's vineyards. All the vineyards are very accessible, at least from a visual point of view, as guided tours are only offered in the Montmartre vineyards.
So, while you're out and about in one of your favorite neighborhoods (Butte Bergeyre, Bercy, Montmartre, Vaugirard, Belleville), take the opportunity to discover our capital's vineyards!
Paris vineyards: (non-exhaustive list)
Discover Clos des Morillons, the vineyards of Parc Georges Brassens, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris
Parc Georges Brassens, one of the most bucolic parks in Paris, boasts many vines. And it's no coincidence that the Vaugirard district has a long history of winegrowing! Discover the history of Clos des Morillons, the only vineyard in the 15th arrondissement. [Read more]
A stroll through the Clos Montmartre vineyard, the oldest vines in Paris
Just a few minutes' walk from Sacré-Coeur, near the Lapin Agile cabaret, stands a vineyard on a rather steep slope below the Montmartre hill. This is the Clos de Montmartre, the vineyard of the eponymous district and, above all, a major witness to the district's winegrowing past. [Read more]
Discover Clos des Chaufourniers, the little secret vineyard perched on the Butte Bergeyre (19th district)
They're certainly the most discreet of the capital's five vineyards: the small Butte Bergeyre vineyard is relatively unknown to Parisians, and for good reason: it's perched on a bucolic knoll in the heart of the 19th arrondissement. [Read more]
A walk to discover Bercy's small vineyard
In the 12th arrondissement, in the heart of the Jardin Yithzak Rabin, right in the middle of Parc de Bercy, lies a small vineyard, planted here in memory of the neighborhood's winegrowing past. Take a stroll through the Parc de Bercy and discover it for yourself! [Read more]
Explore the Belleville vineyard, the capital's thousand-year-old vines
On the 20th arrondissement side, in the Parc de Belleville, you'll find vines that are harvested every year in September or October. Open to visitors from time to time, it's a great opportunity to discover these magnificent vines, unique in the 20th arrondissement! [Read more]
All the harvest festivals and other vine-related news:
