Paris Vines
"List some French wine-making regions"
"The Loire. Rhone. Bordeaux. Burgundy. Alsace. Jura. Paris."
"...Paris?"
DID YOU KNOW?
...That Paris has her very own vineyard, perched high on the slopes of Montmartre, the area known by tourists thanks to the Sacre Coeur and its dazzling view over the city below? It's called Le Clos Montmartre.
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| The stunning view that most people go to the area for |
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| A tourist magnet, the Sacre Coeur |
Hardly
acres of vines stretching as far as the eye can see, but rather a
little vineyard, clinging onto the banks of the hill, this 1500m² site
is a lovely surprise to stumble across. Although there might be a
thousand cameras clicking away on the south-facing slopes, the
Lamarck-Caulaincourt northern side is quieter, more residential, and far
more authentic...
You can find the vineyard up the rue Saint-Vincent and the rue des Saules, rubbing noses with two other famous places in Montmartre, the Lapin Agile caberet and the Musée de Montmartre (Renoir's former studio).
HISTORY LESSON
The vineyard dates from 1932, although vines have been growing up the banks of Montmartre since the Romans brought them to Gaul.
After General Haussmann forced many of the poor out of the city to make way for Paris' 19th century facelift and the long sweeping boulevards we know so well, Montmartre became a popular drinking hole: bars sprung up outside of the city walls, exempt from Paris' alcohol taxes.
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| http://mimi40.centerblog.net |
It was the illustrator Poulbot who, with a group of friends, campaigned to protect the small piece of land, as the area quickly urbanised in the years that followed. They decided to cultivate a little vineyard...and the rest is history.
NOWADAYS...
The grapes are now pressed and vinified in the cellars of the Town Hall of the 18th arrondissement, after which the wine is sold at auction and profits go towards social projects/deserving causes in the immediate area. Bottles go for around 45 euros. Although it's not known to be of an outstanding quality, the wine produced in Paris has notes of nostalgia and a bouquet of community spirit.
Sadly (or not, to preserve the plants), the Clos is strictly out of bounds, but you can peek through the fences surrounding it.
SINGALONG
« C'est du vin de Montmartre
Qui en boit pinte en pisse quarte. »
Be practical now
Address:
14-18 rue des Saules 75018 PARIS
Metro:
Lamarck-Caulaincourt, line 12
LINKS
To your health!
MustardLabels: 75018, Drinks, France, insolite, Paris, Paris secrets, things to do in Paris, tourist, Vineyards, visit paris, wine
