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Vineyards in Paris and Ile-de-France
Several well-known wine regions near Paris are perfect for a countryside day trip. Interestingly, not so long ago, Île-de-France was also a thriving wine region. In the Middle Ages, thousands of hectares of vineyards stretched across the area, and Paris even had its own appellation!
In the mid-18th century, the Île-de-France region was the largest French wine region, with nearly 52,000 hectares of vines cultivated, more than Burgundy today! This golden age ended in the early 19th century, largely due to urbanization, the phylloxera epidemic, and later competition from other French wine regions, facilitated by the development of the railway.
In recent years, there’s been an exciting revival of viticulture in and around Paris, thanks to passionate independent growers, local communities, and even urban wineries. Today, Paris is home to about ten of the 132 vineyards in the region. Here are some of my favorite vineyards in Paris – remarkable projects that still honor the city’s rich wine-producing history.
Vineyards of Le Marais (Paris 4)
These secret vineyards are located on the rooftop of a historical building managed by the Hotel de Ville, in the heart of Le Marais.
Here, you will find Chasselas, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Fleurtai, and Soreli for white wines and Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot Khorus (since last year) for reds.
The primary purpose of these rooftop vines is to produce red and white wines, but they also provide a valuable secondary benefit: by covering the rooftop, they enhance the building’s insulation, helping to maintain thermal comfort for those working below – especially during the hottest days of summer.
You can visit these vineyards as part of a wine tour offered by UrbAgri, an association that promotes the development of urban vineyards in historic wine regions, such as Paris and Île-de-France. These wine tours are in French, and you can check the next availabilities here.
Clos de Bercy (Paris 12)
The cobblestone paths, old railway tracks, century-old trees, and the former wine and spirits storehouses of Cour Saint-Émilion all echo the area’s past as one of the world’s largest wine markets and are still a good place to enjoy a good glass of wine.
Not far from Cour Saint-Émilion, a small but symbolic vineyard has been planted in the Jardin Yitzhak Rabin, within the Parc de Bercy, keeping the legacy alive.
Covering 660 square meters, the vineyard hosts around 350 vines – primarily Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Each year, it produces about 250 liters of wine, a modest yet meaningful reminder of Bercy’s once-thriving wine trade.
Clos des Morillons (Paris 15)
Vineyards have existed in this area of the 15th Arrondissement since the late 18th century. Unfortunately, they were gradually replaced by vegetable gardens and, in 1897, by the Vaugirard slaughterhouses.
To revive the tradition, 700 vines were planted in 1983 in Clos des Morillons – four large, sun-drenched terraces in what is now Parc Georges Brassens. The main grape varieties are Pinot Noir (historically known as “Morillon”) and Pinot Meunier.
Today, Clos des Morillons harvests enough yields to produce around 300 bottles of wine annually, which are sold at charity auctions. The wine-making process takes place underground, in the town hall’s cellar.
Clos de Montmartre (Paris 18)
The Clos de Montmartre vineyard is a symbol of Paris’s viticultural history. It is located in the neighborhood of Montmartre, just in front of the famous Lapin Agile cabaret.
Clos de Montmartre produces a wine named Clos Montmartre, which is made from around 30 grape varieties. Most of this wine is auctioned off for charity, but you can also buy it during the Montmartre Harvest Festival (October).
Unfortunately, the Clos de Montmartre is open for visits only on rare occasions, such as the Montmartre Harvest Festival. But you have two beautiful views of the vineyards from Rue des Saules, Rue Saint-Vincent, and from the gardens of the Musée de Montmartre.
Clos des Chaufourniers (Paris 19)
Tucked away atop a quiet hill, the Butte Bergeyre feels more like a hidden village than a corner of Paris. Located just west of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th Arrondissement, this peaceful spot offers panoramic views over the city and is home to a 600 m² vineyard (Clos des Chaufourniers) set within a charming green space.
Each year, Clos des Chaufourniers produces around 100 liters of wine, reds and whites made primarily from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Clos de Belleville (Paris 20)
Located atop Parc de Belleville in the 20th Arrondissement, this vineyard covers approximately 500 m² and was planted in 1992, as a tribute to the area’s long-standing viticultural history, which dates back to the Carolingian era.
In medieval times, monks cultivated vines on what was then the rural plateau. The local wines, known as Guinguet and Piquette, became popular for their effervescent qualities and contributed to the name “guinguette” for riverside or forest taverns.
Today, there are 165 vines in total made up of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Minot Meunier. There’s a small rosé production (approximately 160 bottles per year) marketed as Œil de Perdrix, which is typically enjoyed during the neighborhood’s festival.
Clos du Pas de Saint Maurice – The Biggest Vineyard in Ile-de-France
Just three tram stops from Paris, the Clos du Pas de Saint Maurice vineyard in Suresnes offers a peaceful escape. Despite its modest size, it’s still the largest vineyard in the Île-de-France region – a unique place where you can stroll among the vines while enjoying a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower!
At Clos du Pas de Saint Maurice, Chardonnay is the main grape variety grown, alongside some Sauvignon Blanc vines. The winemaking is carefully done onsite by skilled experts, producing a semi-dry white wine with delicate aromas of citrus and acacia flowers, classified under the IGP Île-de-France. This wine pairs beautifully with aperitifs, charcuterie, raclette, and rich, saucy dishes.
