The Vineyard of Montmartre
Paris’s Secret Vineyard in Montmartre
Every year in the second week of October, Paris turns its eyes to the winding cobblestone streets of the 18th arrondissement for one of the city’s most beloved traditions: the Fete de Vendanges de Montmartre. This October 7โ11, 2026, the harvest festival returns for its landmark 93rd edition under the vibrant theme โLe 18แต donne le rythmeโ (The 18th sets the rhythm), celebrating the neighborhood’s deep musical roots alongside its rich winemaking history. What follows is five days of jubilant festivities from street performances, concerts, and giant picnics to costume parades, artisanal food tastings, and, of course, plenty of wine drinking.
But did you know that Montmartre is home to the last working vineyard in Paris? What a remarkable tribute to a world capital that has it all yet continues to honor a centuries-old rural ritual within a bustling urban landscape. Long before Paris became the sprawling metropolis it is today, the region was dominated by farmland, and Montmartre was a picturesque hilltop village dotted with countryside windmills.
A Little History of Montmartre’s Vineyard
Royal Beginnings & Royal Vines
Dating back to the 12th century, King Louis IV built the Abbey of Montmartre for his wife, Adelaide of Savoie, and the nuns were in charge of cultivating the vines. The wine became very popular due to the fact that Montmartre was a “commun libre” and free of tax. The wine in those days was named after the saintly fields where it was grown, such as ‘La Sauvresse’ and ‘l’Eglise’.
Destruction and the Defiance of Local Artists
By 1850, the Great French Wine Blight had struck the vines in France, and unfortunately, the Montmartre vineyards were destroyed. 1905 marked the last harvest of Montmartre wine before the land became overgrown. In 1860, under Napoleon, Montmartre was annexed to the city of Paris, and in 1930, the Town Hall of Paris decided to take over the land for a housing project.
Met by the defiance of Poulbot, a famous illustrator, and local artists, they negotiated to plant vines with the help of Bordeaux and Alsatian communities. They acquired over 27 types of grapes to rebuild the vineyard. Luckily, under French law, nothing can be built on a vineyard, so the “Clos de Montmartre” was reborn.
The First Harvest & A Happy Mistake
In 1933, the vines were planted and the land secured, so they decided in 1934 to invite the President of the Republic, Albert Lebrun, to the harvest. However, little did they know it takes 3 years for new vines to yield grapes!
Well, sometimes a mistake comes disguised as an opportunity and with the help of surrounding vineyards, they order in 40 tonnes of grapes and turn it into a Grand Fete what is today the: Fete de Vendanges de Montmartre!
Today the wine is harvested and vinified by the Townhall of Paris. Bottled in neat 50cl bottles, this table wine is sold to help social charities in the 18th.
The vineyard of Montmartre embraces organic farming not using chemical products on the vines and under organic regulation for wine production. To find out more about where to go in Paris for natural wines, check out this list of the best natural wine shops in Paris.
As the Mayor of the 18th district of Montmartre, Eric LEJOINDRE says in his address:
“La poรฉsie est au coeur mรชme de notre arrondissement ร la fois romantique, vivant et populaire, elle est dans nos murs, elle est dans nos jardins… Et dans nos vignes!”
Poetry is in the heart of our district equally romantic, vibrant, and popular, it’s in our walls, in our gardens, in our vines!
Drinking the wine of Montmartre straight from the vineyard will teach you exactly how important it is to understand culture through food.
2026 Event Line-Up!
The 93rd edition of the Fรชte des Vendanges de Montmartre takes place from October 7 to 11, 2026, under this year’s official theme: โLe 18แต donne le rythmeโ (The 18th sets the rhythm), celebrating the musical heritage, vibrant rhythm, and creative energy of the 18th arrondissement.
Launch Night
October 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM โ Mairie of the 18th Arrondissement
Start the festivities at the official launch night with local performers, choirs, and a celebratory opening dedicated to this yearโs theme โLe 18แต donne le rythmeโ (The 18th sets the rhythm). Entry is free, but space is limited.
Children’s Dance Party โ La Boum des Bambins
October 7, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM โ Gymnase Bertrand Dauvin
Bringing together 400 children from leisure centers across the 18th arrondissement for an afternoon of dancing, music, and festive fun to open the festival week.
Vineyard Tours โ Visites des Vignes
October 7, 8, 9, and 11, 2026 โ Clos Montmartre Vineyards
Take a rare guided tour of Parisโs last working vineyard led by historian Jean-Manuel Gabert. Discover the secrets and centuries of history hidden within the vines of Clos Montmartre.
(Tours run Oct 7 at 11 AM; Oct 8 at 2 PM; Oct 9 at 2 PM & 4 PM; Oct 11 at 11 AM, 2 PM & 3 PM. Online booking opens mid-September).
Childrenโs Grand Choir
October 8, 2026 (11:00 AM, 1:50 PM, and 3:10 PM) โ Square Louise Michel
Schoolchildren from across the 18th arrondissement, guided by City of Paris music teachers, fill Square Louise Michel beneath Sacrรฉ-Cลur with choral music celebrating youth and rhythm.
The Night Race โ Course Nocturne
October 8, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM โ Departure from Square Louise Michel
When night falls, Montmartre shifts into allegro tempo! The popular 5 km Course Nocturne des Vendanges returns, where runners light up the historic cobblestones and steep staircases in a high-energy night race through the 18th arrondissement. Registration required.
The Taste Journey โ Parcours du Goรปt
October 9โ11, 2026 โ Around Sacrรฉ-Cลur
(Oct 9 & 10 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Oct 11 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
Over 100 regional artisanal producers and winegrowers gather at the foot of Sacrรฉ-Cลur for three days of tastings featuring regional wines, cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet specialties.
The Harvest Harvest Proclamation โ Le Ban des Vendanges
October 10, 2026 from 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM โ Clos Montmartre Vineyards
The official opening of the grape harvest inside the vineyard walls, paying tribute to Paris’s winemaking tradition alongside brotherhoods and folk groups.
The Grand Parade
October 10, 2026 from 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM โ Departure from Clos Montmartre
March with wine brotherhoods, regional groups, colorful floats, and brass bands winding through the streets of Montmartre in this iconic, joy-filled tradition.
No-Marriage Ceremony โ Cรฉrรฉmonie des Non-Demandes en Mariage
October 11, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM โ Place des Abbesses
Inspired by Georges Brassens (“J’ai l’honneur de ne pas demander ta main”), couples humorously vow not to marry in front of the mayor of the 18th arrondissement. Playful, theatrical, and uniquely Montmartre.
Closing Ball โ Le Bal de Clรดture
October 11, 2026 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM โ Square Louise Michel
To wrap up five days of celebration, an open-air DJ set and dancing take over Square Louise Michel at the foot of Sacrรฉ-Cลur for a final musical farewell.
Browse through the activities and make sure to sign up before the crowds for certain events like the visit of the vineyard which is usually closed to the public! You can check out the full programme on the official fete des vendanges website.