One of my favorite spots in Paris is the little intersection of rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent, at the corner where to your left is Au Lapin Agile, behind you is La Maison Rose, and to the right are the Clos de Montmartre, or vineyards–the only vineyards within the city limits. I keep meaning to go take a tour and try the wine, but haven’t yet. Luckily, this weekend I’ll have a good opportunity: the  Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre  aims to celebrate the tradition of wine-making in Paris, and its harvest season, with this yearly autumn festival.

As with many outdoor fests in Paris, there will be concerts, dance performances and art. But this one is special because its theme is  gourmandises, which means there will be 5 days of tastings, of both wine and food (note that  la journée du chocolat  is Thursday). There’s also something called  “Cérémonie des Non-demandes en mariage”  which, if my broken French proves correct, is a ceremony that celebrates NOT demanding marriage, but instead promises to be “engaged for eternity.” A reader of mine informed me that it’s in honor of George Brassens’ idea of a non-proposal, in the hope of making a real love last as long as possible. It’s followed, naturally, by a ball of Latin dances, including the tango, samba and calypso.

Special bonus: Saturday night at 9:45 there will be a fireworks display outside the Sacré Coeur. Check the  full schedule here.

Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre

FREE
Wednesday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 14
All around Montmartre