When it comes to a wine holiday in France, the capital is an exciting place to begin your journey. A cultured city decorated with divine architecture and embellished with elegant wine bars, Paris is the ultimate starting point for any wine tasting experience. But there’s so much more to this mesmerizing metropolis than its grape connections. With its dazzling lights, incredible shopping avenues, thriving restaurant scene and distinctive neighborhoods, there’s so much to see and do. For luxury seekers, there’s opulence around every corner. And for those who have a penchant for art, there are famous works such as the Mona Lisa or paintings by Eugène Delacroix that can only be seen here.
Join Wine Paths on an indulgent voyage of great food and even better wine. With us, you can begin your discovery in the romantic capital, exploring culinary gems and fine gastronomy, and enjoying customized trips to the famous wine regions of France. Whether you have your heart set on the sparkling varieties of Champagne or the rich red wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux, we can create a tour for you.
The French capital’s proximity to Reims and Epernay make it one of the best cities in the world to experience high end French Champagne. The luxurious sparkling wine region of Champagne is less than 2 hours away from Paris, and many other regions are easily accessible too.
While the French are known for enjoying wine with meals, one of the most popular activities in the city is wine tasting tours. These are designed to help you understand the different varietals of French wine from the surrounding regions. From guided wine tours and combined wine and walking experiences to going deep into the hidden corners of the city’s exclusive Champagne cellars, there are so many wonderful ways you can get to know French wine.
Parisians, like the rest of France, certainly take oenology seriously, but they also have the knack of making beginners feel welcome. The great thing about our Paris wine tours is that you’ll learn a lot about grape varieties and growing conditions, the key regional differences, and the best way to taste and sample your wine.
In addition to the spectacular wine-tasting adventures, Paris is also home to some of the best food in the world. To enjoy wine the Parisian way, you must also consider the perfect food and wine pairings. The city is home to over 100 Michelin stars and is renowned for its upscale restaurants and wine bars, so you’ll never be short of choice and selection.
For art enthusiasts, the Louvre is a must. And other iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe or the Catacombes can also be visited during your stay. Beyond the beautiful wine cellars and private tasting venues, Paris has plenty to offer the cultural tourist.
Indulge in French coffee and pastries, explore arty neighborhoods like Montmartre, take a walk down the glamorous Avenue des Champs-Elysées, or go shopping down Coco Chanel’s favorite street Rue Saint-Honoré.
Just an hour and a half away is Reims, which is the elegant capital of the Champagne region, and just slightly south of that is the little commune of Epernay with its high-end eponymous wine label. If you stay in Reims, be sure to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame, the 17th Century Palais du Tau or the UNESCO Basilique Saint-Remi. In this region, you’ll get to taste the finest sparkling wine right from its source.
Two hours south of Paris, we can also take our guests to the wonderful Loire Valley, the land of charming châteaux and rolling vineyards. In the Loire, you’ll get to experience incredible Sauvignon Blanc in the upper sections as well as Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc wines.
Further down on our journey south, we can take you to beautiful Bordeaux, where Michelin-star dining and premium wine go hand in hand. This famous region boasts over 6,000 wine-making châteaux and famous Grands Crus Classés (Great Classified Growths) – and the red varietals are considered to be quintessentially French in flavor. From here, the nearby UNESCO village of Saint Émilion is also worth exploring if you enjoy art and culture.
Other wine tours from Paris include trips to Burgundy, Provence or the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the far south, and the island of Corsica.
The city of Paris is perfect at any time of year. Summer has a definite buzz in the capital, attracting tourists from around the world. This is when wine tours can be busy in the city, but for winery and vineyard visits outside of Paris, you can expect the busy season to extend into autumn.
September and October bring the magical grape harvest, and the weather is wonderfully mild for walking tours. In January and February, vineyards are at their most quiet and atmospheric – this can also be a great time for wine tours as winemakers have more time to spend with their guests.
If you’re interested in First Growth tastings, we advise that you book your trip in advance and even plan seasons ahead to avoid disappointment.
Home to over a hundred Michelin-star restaurants and many other fine dining venues, there’s no shortage of quality food in Paris. The city also does well in offering unique wine and food experiences, such as wine and cheese tastings or wine and chocolate tastings for visitors.
For tours traveling out of the capital, there will be some incredible opportunities to discover regional French cuisine. Burgundian food and drink hold the crown for being the finest region for gastronomy, thanks to its capital Dijon. A great recommendation would be Le Relais Bernard Loiseau, a restaurant with a cellar that has more than 15,000 bottles and 900 labels.
Other excellent regions include Champagne, where seasonal delights such as Le Bellevue Restaurant make a common appearance, or Bordeaux, home to many Michelin dining spots like Le Saint James Restaurant.
Wine Paths aims to help serious wine enthusiasts and gastronomy fans design their dream tour of France. Find out more about creating a tailor-made French wine holiday with our local expert Sylvain.
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