Pockets of tourist traps aside, Montmartre has retained a village-like quality since it was annexed into Paris. One endearing remnant of the district's agricultural past is its humble vineyard: measuring just over 1,500 m2/around 5,000 square feet, the tiny, hilly plot at 14-18 rue des Saules produces 27 varieties of grapes, including Gamay, Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot and just under 2,000 bottles of wine every year. It's perhaps more symbolic than anything (the wine doesn't have much cachet), but is nonetheless a tribute to the area's vintnering roots. That's why every year since 1934, the formerly bucolic Montmartre has held its own wine harvest festival, or "Vendanges", in what has become a highly coveted autumn tradition. This year's Vendanges de Montmartre kicks off on Wednesday, October 10th and runs through Sunday, October 14th, so if you're in Paris next month, be sure to reserve some time for wine tasting, sampling French regional specialties at the food stands, free music and dance and other Dionysian festivities.
Read More: Complete Guide to the 2012 Montmartre Wine Harvest Festival (Vendanges de Montmartre)
Related Articles:
- Montmartre in Pictures
- Pictures of Autumn in Paris
- October Events in Paris
- Top Paris Wine Bars
- Off the Tourist Track: Paris Wine Museum (Musée du Vin)
- Readers' Best Culinary Pictures of Paris
Image credit: Cyril LG/Some rights reserved under the Creative Commons License.
Great fireworks against cloudless sky. Unseasonably warm evening. Gread food village but absolutely no crowd control.
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for boulevard rochechouart