Montmartre Grape Harvest festival

Since 1934, in the eclectic and hilly area of Paris which gives it name to the festival, the Montmartre Grape Harvest festival has taken place. Every October, the successful production of the local Clos Montmartre wine is heralded with a festival. Expect to find stalls with regional produce, street musicians and singers, a parade dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine, and even witness the election of the Harvest Queen.

Taking place on the first Saturday of October in a beautiful location in the hills of Paris, its a must-visit event. After all with free wine-tasting, what reason is there not to go?

What’s more, even if you cannot make the day of the festival itself, throughout October it’s possible to see the old vines which are still growing on some of the Montmartre streets.

After the day has been spent heralding the successful grape harvest, the evening is spent listening to some great music: Established and lesser-known musicians and performers will take over venues on Montmartre hill to provide a lively programme of concerts and poetry readings.

When all of this has occurred a fireworks display takes place in the gardens of Sacre-Coeur: the view from the hills of Montmartre is superb.

Montmartre is always a beautiful area of Paris to visit with its bric-a-brac shops and portrait painters. But the Grape Harvest festival gives it an extra ouevre. It gives the area an even better vibe. And this means a visit is advisable.