Grape Harvest Festival in Montmartre

Every year in the first or second weekend of October, Montmartre celebrates the harvest season and if you are having a soft spot for wine and delicious French food, you should not miss this event!

The Clos Montmartre is the oldest vineyard in Paris and the location is historic. In Roman times, the north was covered with vineyards, up to the slopes of the Montmartre hill. The Romans planted miles of vines and built a temple to Bacchus, the god of wine, right in the centre of what is now modern Paris.

In the early 20th century the land became wasteland and under the control of the City of Paris, the vineyards were recreated in 1933, still located in the heart of Montmartre, right behind the Sacré Coeur. Montmartre boasts the only vineyards in Paris.

Since 1934, the residents of Montmartre have celebrated the grape harvest of Paris. Considering the urban setting between roads and houses, the vineyard is rather productive: Up to 1000 bottles of Clos Montmartre Wine are produced each year! It is hard to get your hands on one of those, though. They are auctioned off for high prices and the benefits are going to local charities.

Even though you most likely won’t be able to sample the Montmartre wine, you can still celebrate it! Traditionally, the harvest season ends with a big wine harvest fest in October.
Lots of bands and traditional folk groups also perform at this event.

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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: memorable events.