5 Best Winery Tours from Paris

5 Best Winery Tours from Paris

Paris lies near and dear to France’s esteemed wine country, where one has the opportunity to sample some of the best names in winemaking the world has ever known. 

These are the winery tours that are easily accessible from Paris, and in my humble opinion, doing at least one or two is an unmissable experience. Curious? Here’s everything that you need to know. 

Best Wine Tasting Tours in Paris

1. Burgundy Tour from Paris

Approximate distance by train: 1 hour 30 min

Burgundy is a wine region that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get to Dijon city by train from Paris’ Gare de Lyon station, and the travel time is well worth a day trip for the purpose of visiting the areas wineries. 

The wine vineyards are close enough from Dijon city that one can simply rent a bicycle on arrival, and use it to get to the farms. If you are making the trip into Burgundy, be sure not to miss a chance at seeing the 13th century wine presses set up by the Dukes of Burgundy. Its situated in the little suburb of Chenove, also fully accessible by bike!

Dijon, France – by Miwok – Wikimedia Commons

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The best way to book winery tours in Burgundy is to visit the tourism office upon arrival in Dijon. They will be able to advise you on the best possible routes, whether you’re looking for a guided tour with professionals, or a self-guided experience. 

It’s not a bad idea to consider booking a cheap hotel room for the night in Dijon. The old city actually has a lot to offer come nightfall, with bars and cellars coming to life, and some pretty wonderful places to eat amongst them. 

2. Champagne Region Tour from Paris

Approximate distance by train: 1 hour

These torus are common and easy enough to book, as there are currently hundreds of tour operators taking people in and out of Champagne from Paris daily. Reims is the best place to start any visit to Champagne, as it offers over 250 kilometers of underground wine tunnels. Some of the biggest names in wine making are situated here. Namely: Mumm, Veuve Cliquot, Lanson and Taittinger. 

Champgane is a gorgeous countryside, with rocky ridges and an abundance of forests. This is the closest winery region to Paris, which makes it the most traffic filled year round. 

Reims – by Tomas er – Wikimedia Commons

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The good news is there is enough to go around, and its very uncommon to find that tours or wine tastings are fully booked and out of reach for the common traveler. It’s really quite something to make it out here and see, first hand, where and how good old champagne is produced. You’ll find that the entire process truly is an art, right down to the shape of the bottle necks and the barrels that are chosen for the aging process. 

The best way to book tours in Champagne is to sift around online until a specific tour package catches your attention. It’s not the easiest region to navigate on ones own, so it’s great to have a guide who can transport you to all of the farms. 

3. Epernay Tour from Paris

Approximate distance by train: 1 hour 30 mins

If Reims doesn’t get you all that excited, the alternate capital of Champagne is Epernay, and is only a further 30 minutes ride away. 

At the Mercier farm, one can visit the barrel that holds the equivalent of 250,000 bottles of champagne. The attraction actually competed with the Eiffel Tower during the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900. Moet and Chandon’s facilities can also be toured in Epernay. 

Epernay – by Enobytes Wine Online – Wikimedia Commons

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These big names aside, Epernay actually has a lot to offer when it comes to lesser known wine makers. If the names Michel Gonet or Venoge don’t ring a bell, I recommend you become swiftly acquainted with both. These wineries are housed in fascinating 19th century mansions on the renowned Avenue de Champagne, with a laid-back feel that the big touristic cellars simply can’t compete with. Add a unique element to your visit with these two vineyards! 

4. Clos Montmartre in Paris

Approximate distance by train: 15 min

Staying closer to home, I would be remiss if I didnt recommend this small-time winery right in the heart of the beloved city. Clos Montmartre is a vineyard on the slopes of Montmartre Hill, just below the Sacre Coeur Basilica. 

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Those who don’t know about this wonderful winery would walk right past it without looking twice, as its location is simply so unexpected that one may assume its simply someone’s personal backyard project or nothing too serious. 

Clos Montmartre vineyard by Son of Groucho – Wikimedia Commons

Planted back in 1932, the vineyard is very much a serious matter in the wine making world. It offers close to 2000 vines of Pinot and Garnay, with a number of other varieties in between. 

The vine harvest takes place in early October and it is celebrated with a local festival. Days are packed with song, dance and feasting amongst local communities who come together to sample the year’s yield. The event is called the Vendanges de Montmartre and, for anyone in Paris at the time, it’s not to be missed!

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5. Les Vignerons Parisiens in Paris

This list would be incomplete if I didn’t introduce each reader to what are becoming known as ‘micro-wineries’ in Paris’ city center. Offering a fresh, alternative take on city-based wine making, these wineries are quickly becoming the hottest spot to taste local craft. 

Les Vignerons Parisiens in Paris – by Les Vignerons Parisiens – Uploaded by them

Les Vignerons Parisiens is my personal favorite micro winery at this time. The winery purchases grapes from southern regions outside of the city; all of which are both organic and biodynamic. 

The winery then takes on the task of turning the grapes to city-made wines, which can be explored via a 45 minute all inclusive tour where you’ll see their untraditional, meticulous process. 

The Best Wine Tasting Places in Paris