Paris, the city of light, has always been all about culture, art and refined cuisine, even for special diets. The French capital offers wine afficionados a first-class wine experience, not least in the classy 7th arrondissement. With its famous Grands Crus, it turns out Paris is a real paradise for connoisseurs and epicurean types seeking unique experiences for their taste buds. In this article, we bring you an exclusive guide to unearthing the treasures of winemaking hidden in the heart of the capital.
7th arrondissement of Paris: a showcase for wine finds
The 7th arrondissement of Paris has an exceptional winemaking heritage. Classy wine cellars, cosy wine bars and restaurants around the neighbourhood offer visitors an exceptional array of ways to immerse themselves in the intoxicating world of Grands Crus.
A classy cellar
To start your wine adventure, nothing could be better than la Cave de Joël Robuchon. You’ll taste a selection of Grands Crus carefully chosen by expert sommeliers, and also rare, sought-after wines from the finest vineyards in France and beyond.
For Grand Cru tastings, you can choose between the Saint-Germain Workshop and the Étoile Workshop. For these experiences, it is advisable to book ahead.
As for the cellar, it is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Avail yourself of expert advice from Joël Robuchon, who is among the chefs with the most Michelin stars in the world, to choose the wine that will best enhance a meal or night in with friends.
Wine bars and a feelgood atmosphere
If you prefer to taste Grands Crus in an inviting atmosphere, the wine bars around the 7th arrondissement are sure to please. These cosy establishments offer a varied list of wines served by the glass or bottle. Take the time to chat with the wine enthusiasts, who will have you sample unusual, unpretentious tipples.
- Ambassade de Bourgogne : at rue de l’Odéon in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, it’s the perfect place to try Burgundy Grands Crus. This wine shop and bar is the only establishment outside Burgundy where you can taste a wide selection of appellation wines, from Petit Chablis to Musigny.
- Les caves Legrand : head over to the 2nd arrondissement to get to the Galerie Vivienne, where you’ll find this wine bar that has the greatest number of Grand Cru wines worldwide. Open from noon to 11 p.m. non-stop, come and check out the Selection Legrand. The wine inventory of noble vintages offers visitors the chance to try its noble wines on site. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the exquisite cuisine of Chef Benjamin Anthoni.
- Ici-même : organic wine afficionados will find what they are looking for in this wine bar in the 12th arrondissement of Paris offering wine by the glass in an artistic setting. Specialising in biodynamic and natural wines, and also grands crus from France and around the world this wine bar is open every evening from 6 p.m. Throughout your tasting you will be guided in your exploration of noble organic wines by afficionados who favour the biodynamic variety.
Food and wine: the perfect marriage
In Paris, the pleasure of eating goes hand in hand with that of drinking wine. The capital’s gourmet restaurants have established a perfect symbiosis between exquisite dishes and exceptional Grands Crus. Go with the flow of wine and food pairing skilfully orchestrated by Michelin-starred chefs.
Among the gourmet restaurants offering tastings of noble wines in Paris, you will find:
Le Jules Verne
At the top of the Eiffel Tower in this exceptional restaurant we invite you to awaken your palate through a tasting of vintage wines of unrivalled finesse. You’ll find a wine list of rare elegance, featuring a selection of French and international Grands Crus. This experience goes beyond gastronomy, offering you a breathtaking panoramic view of the City of Light.
L’atelier Étoile de Joël Robuchon
This singular culinary adventure invites you to savour the creations of the chef of the same name, one of the world’s most renowned and distinguished chefs. The wine odyssey features meticulously selected grands crus, offering exceptional food and wine pairings of rare elegance.
Le Cinq
The Le Cinq restaurant, within the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, offers an exceptional wine experience. With a wine cellar totalling over 50,000 bottles, the restaurant offers a selection of rare and prestigious wines to complement its Michelin-starred cuisine. Expert sommeliers guide diners through meticulously designed food and wine pairings, offering an unforgettable exploration for your taste buds.
Le Taillevent
The restaurant Le Taillevent, a Parisian emblem of gastronomy, is a real institution when it comes to wine. With an exceptional wine cellar, it boasts a rich and varied selection of over 2,500 wines, from classic grands crus to contemporary gems.
See also our guide to restaurants for a successful business dinner
Grand cru tastings in the private cellar of the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris
Head to one of the most secret palaces in Paris: the hôtel de Crillon at Rosewood Hotel on Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement. You’ll find a private dining room there as you enter a cosy cellar where over 2,000 prestigious bottles of wine are stowed away. Expert sommelier Xavier Thuizat will guide you through this tasting of subtle wines. A sensational and unforgettable wine odyssey !
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Le Grand Tasting in Paris : Festival des Grands Vins
The Festival des grands vins takes place at the Carrousel du Louvre in December each year. An array of exhibitors, each representing a different region, are on hand to offer tastings of their noble wines. On site, prestigious Lafite, Rothschild, Latour and Pétrus wines, as well as great Beaujolais ones, offer you the opportunity to taste every grape variety. Red, rosé, white – there’s something for everyone. Go with the flow of this unique Festival where all the regions of France come together over wine.
In summary, the 7th arrondissement de Paris is much more than just a repository of historic monuments. It’s a precious treasure trove for wine afficionados. So, whether you’re visiting or living in the City of Light, don’t hesitate to embark on this quest for Grands Crus, an intoxicating odyssey to the heart of winemaking excellence.
