Vendanges de Montmartre

By Courtney Traub, About.com Guide

Harking back to a time when the Paris region produced wine in respectable quantities, the annual Vendanges de Montmartre (Montmartre Harvest) is today a mostly symbolic event-- but that doesn't make it any less fun. Initiated in 1934, when the region's importance as a wine-maker had already largely dwindled but the desire to maintain the traditional harvest remained, the Vendanges takes place every year in the heights of the hilly Montmartre neighborhood, where you can still see a small vineyard producing a modest 1,500 bottles of Pinot Noir and Gamay. The tiny plot, located at 14-18 rue des Saules (Metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt), reminds us of the area's once bucolic nature-- the village of Montmartre was formerly covered in vineyards.

It may not be a harvest prized by hardcore wine fans, given that the vintages are nothing extraordinary, but the Vendanges de Montmartre nonetheless provide great opportunities for locals and visitors to take part in a centuries-old tradition of tasting, reveling, sampling local foods and enjoying street music, dancing and other performances. Take some time out on an October trip to Paris for this iconic event.

Vendanges de Montmartre 2012: Main Events and Practical Information

The 2012 edition of the Vendanges de Montmartre takes places from Wednesday, October 10th through Sunday, October 14th. This year's festival focuses on "gourmandises", or the pairing of food with wines from around France, allowing visitors to sample delicacies and vintages from different regions. A gourmet experience awaits...
Locations: The harvest takes place all around the 18th arrondissement, with information available for tourists at the Anvers Tourist Office (Facing 72 Boulevard Rochechouart, Metro Anvers/ +33 (0)8 92 68 30 00 ).
See a complete list and map of event locations for this year's Vendanges here.
Metro: You can get off at Metro stations Jules Joffrin, Lamarck Caulaincourt, Pigalle or Abbesses (Line 12), as well as Blanche and Anvers (line 2).

Fireworks and Music in Montmartre

On Saturday, October 13th at 9:45 pm, fireworks and music will take over Montmartre for the occasion of the Vendanges.
Square Louise Michel (Metro Abbesses or Chateau-Rouge)

How to Enjoy the Vendanges de Montmartre

As with many other festivals in Paris, I recommend walking around and taking in the scenery and ambiance. Get off at the metro stop of your choice, perhaps visit the Tourist Office for an information book, and amble around the stands, sampling the wine, local delicacies and taking in a few performances.

Read More: History of the Vendanges de Montmartre

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• Annual Wine Harvest in Paris: Overview and Info for 2012
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