Paris' Food and Wine Festival options
Paris festivals are an absolute paradise for foodies and wine connoisseurs. They showcase local rising and prominent chefs, mixologists, vignerons, and sommeliers from across the city and sometimes country.
These gastronomic fanfares offer a sample of the culinary diversity of Paris with tastings, demos, and educational opportunities for all. Large events happen most of the year with the exception of June, July, and August. Before making plans around these occasions, it’s a good idea to check the official tourism site for Paris or another travel guide. This will give you additional insight into all the activities planned, how to get there, traditions and etiquette, even how to dress for a tasting.
Taste of Paris
Happening in May. It’s probably one of the most comprehensive celebrations held at the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais is a historical site on the Champs-Élysées. It was constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair. It hosts many major national and international productions and exhibitions throughout the year. This 4 day festive party includes a chance to discover the latest trends in gastronomy with tastings of premiere chefs signature specialties.
Cooking demos and spontaneous discussions can be overheard among the attendees and artisans in every corner. Hundreds of bouteilles de vin are perfectly paired and consumed, adding to the cheerfulness of the gathering. A large variety of products and ingredients are available for purchase to enhance your own pantry as well. This is an exceptional time to visit.
Fête de la Gastronomie
In September, over 700 restaurateurs participate in this fest of cooking, drinking, and eating. Taking place throughout Paris, special lower-priced menus are available, even at exclusive restaurants. Cafes, bistros, boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, chocolatiers, wine bars, vintners, and most artisan shops open their doors for all to experience. This is the great chance to sample food from an otherwise ultra expensive restaurant at a reduced cost.
Grape Harvest Festival Montmartre
Around the second week of October, the Fête des Vendanges marks the harvest of the only vineyard in Paris. Organized since 1934, it includes parades, fireworks, garden tours, workshops for all ages, walks, exhibitions, vintner stands, food tasting trail with local produce and cheeses, music, tasting lessons, and street ball. You can learn buy in Paris.
Located on the Montmartre hill, over 500,000 people climb the hill to enjoy the festivities every year. 450 bottles of Clos Montmartre are produced by their 3,000 vines annually from a blend of three grape varieties, Siebel 54-55, Gamay and Pineau. The picturesque area includes the Sacre-Coeur Basilica which boasts one of the best views of Paris. The cathedral is beautiful inside and out. This artist town was the home of and inspiration to Van Gogh, Renoir, Utrillo, Dufy, and Utter at times. It’s no wonder so many make the trek up the hillside to let their creativity flow with the local French vignerons, fromagers, and other foodies.
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