Fall in Paris: Grape Harvest Festival in Montmartre

Did you know that Paris used to be covered with grapevines? Now the sole surviving city vineyard is in Montmartre, and it’s a source of great local pride for the residents of the butte. The annual Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre (grape harvest festival)—which has been celebrated since 1934—is a joyous occasion, honoring the new cuvée and the neighbourhood’s viticultural tradition.

Visitors can indulge in Bacchus-style merriment, while getting a dose of local culture, art, music, and gastronomy. This year’s theme is “poets,” and the festivities kick off on Wednesday, October 8 and continue through the weekend.

Food lovers will appreciate the “Parcours du Goût” through the winding streets of Montmartre (Friday-Sunday); tasting tents are set up on the butte’s summit and you’ll find passionate producers with an array of artisanal goods. Don’t miss Saturday’s parade, where costumed members of the Republique Montmartre don their distinctive red and black colors.

There will be a spectacular fireworks display over Sacré-Cœur on Saturday night, and Sunday, as the festival winds down, is marked by the closing concert at La Cigalle, one of Paris’s beloved venues. For more information, visit the official website: www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com