Help with Paris -- Wine Buying
 

I am definately going to experience Wine to its fullest in Paris. Do they have stores that mostly just sell wine? Is the wine reasonably priced? Do they sell wine in stores on sunday? I ask these questions because I am from Pennsylvania. Our stores aren't open Sundays and we have a limited supply of wines available. The stores also mark up the price substantially. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

Yes, there's plenty of wine to be had in Paris.

Yes, there are wine stores. There's a chain called Nicolas that's ubiquitous, as well as many independent wine stores, and the grocery stores like LeClerc and LeaderPrice and Monoprix sell wine. So do the little alimentaires, usually.

You can pay anywhere from 2 euros to 2,000 euros for a bottle of wine, but generally speaking there are very drinkable wines priced very reasonably.

I don't recall any restrictions on selling wine on Sundays, but I'm not positive about that. You can certainly drink wine in cafés and restaurants 7 days a week.

Chez Nicolas is a wine and liquor store that has locations all over france. I bought a bottle there this past week in Marseilles. As St. Circ ssaid there are many independants all over the city. I usually go to chez because I am lazy and they are usually convienient. They usually have a few different better wines on sale. There are many places to buy wine any time in Paris.

Thanks Jay & StCirq

What about the various produce and food markets? Do any venders sell wine?

There were several wine stores on Rue Mouffetard. Is that what you mean by a market?

Oh I wish I was there right now.

Do you mean the outdoor markets? Yes, I think those would likely have a wine vendor or two, in all likelihood, though I can't say for sure as I'm not usually looking for wine at outdoor markets - at least not in Paris.

Nicolas has very attentive staff. It seems like the grocery stores sold good,inexpensive wines too.

I usually just buy table wine at the grocery store, where it is very reasonably priced for the quality -- I can get a 3-5 euro bottle of French wine there that would probably cost at least US$20 or so if I could find it here (which I can't). There is a very big wine shop, Lavinia, at 3 place Madeleine.

Most large grocery stores aren't open on Sundays in Paris. Small corner shops may be, though, or specialty shops. I imagine they sell wine if they are open. France does regulate the hours stores can be open, but I don't think they regulate the hours wine can be sold in stores, unlike some places in the US. If you plan ahead, you shouldn't need to buy wine on Sunday.

um, what about "Lavinia"..?

3 BOULEVARD DE LA MADELEINE 75001 PARIS

http://www.lavinia.fr/LaviniaFR/
http://www.paris-eating.com/812.htm

I recall seeing wine everywhere in Paris, from grocery stores to the big department stores to little wine shops on the many market streets (just look for a display window full of bottles). Don't worry, bean, you'll find wine!

There is a Nicolas in Rue Clement - just off Blvd.St.Germain (Metro Mabillon) where they have tables on the covered patio portion of the indoor market. Here you can order lovely wine by the glass. I paid just a little more than 4 euros for a glass of Chateau-Neuf-du-Pape.