Montmartre: Fête des Vendanges 2012
#1
Original Poster
Montmartre: Fête des Vendanges 2012
There are quite a few off-peak season travellers here, and I'm sure you know that quite a few major events happen in Paris out of the summer months.
One of the biggest draws in the city is the Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre in the first half of October. All of the other "wine harvest" festivals are in the regions that actually produce wine, but long ago Paris decided that it needed a wine festival as well since it probably consumes the greatest quantity of wine in the country.
Technically, there is a harvest at the very last real vineyard in Paris on rue Saint Vincent, and a few pitiful bottles of wine are produced every year. Not a problem -- all of the wine producers of France are invited to Montmartre and they set up their tasting stands all around Sacré Coeur. And for a whole week, let the party begin!
Unfortunately for latecomers, this year's edition just ended yesterday, but I did make a photo report about it: http://tinyurl.com/c9fxxrm
Rendez-vous l'année prochaine!
One of the biggest draws in the city is the Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre in the first half of October. All of the other "wine harvest" festivals are in the regions that actually produce wine, but long ago Paris decided that it needed a wine festival as well since it probably consumes the greatest quantity of wine in the country.
Technically, there is a harvest at the very last real vineyard in Paris on rue Saint Vincent, and a few pitiful bottles of wine are produced every year. Not a problem -- all of the wine producers of France are invited to Montmartre and they set up their tasting stands all around Sacré Coeur. And for a whole week, let the party begin!
Unfortunately for latecomers, this year's edition just ended yesterday, but I did make a photo report about it: http://tinyurl.com/c9fxxrm
Rendez-vous l'année prochaine!
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
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An interesting mix, that parade. Are those Brazilian baterias? The relaxed, modern, movement-oriented groups are a contrast to the traditional confrerie groups.
I find it a little surprising that there are still people willing to dress up in those confreries outfits. Guess I shouldn't be.
I find it a little surprising that there are still people willing to dress up in those confreries outfits. Guess I shouldn't be.
#7
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As I mentioned in my report, many of the public parks have vineyards for display -- for example the Parc de Belleville and the Parc de la Villette.
No, these are not "real" vineyards, because they produce nothing except a visual experience for visitors.
No, these are not "real" vineyards, because they produce nothing except a visual experience for visitors.
#8
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Fabulous! And mouthwatering too. It must say something about Parisienne life that a wine not worth drinking motivates such a worthwhile celebration. Foreign visitors overlook the way Paris takes to its streets, forgetting about them, whether for political manifestations or for the many events you have photographed where dressing up like doctors of philosophy or oom-pahhing in a band makes life's wine even more savoury.
#11
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Kerouac,
Another example of why Paris is self sustaining. It really is for the people, and the people are for Paris. Imagine walking on stilts over wet cobbles for hours. Here we would have mechanized vehicles with a few people waving.
Another example of why Paris is self sustaining. It really is for the people, and the people are for Paris. Imagine walking on stilts over wet cobbles for hours. Here we would have mechanized vehicles with a few people waving.
#17
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Thank you, once again! I am drooling over grilled mushrooms, fromage du tete, oysters, and all those regional specialties.
We have a similar but much smaller parade for Halloween in our tiny town, a real costumed community party. Perhaps we will anoint ourselves representatives of the Republic of Nantucket and walk in the parade in Montmartre next year.
We have a similar but much smaller parade for Halloween in our tiny town, a real costumed community party. Perhaps we will anoint ourselves representatives of the Republic of Nantucket and walk in the parade in Montmartre next year.