Waiting Wednesday

Today begins Montmartre's much-awaited grape-harvest vendanges celebrations.

Above: members of the exclusive Clos Montmarte, symbolic vineyard of the days of wines and vines, start to gather

LA VILLAGE EN FÊTE

Fête des Vendanges 2025

Ends Sunday October 12

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Program

 

Wein Wednesday - Black Forest

 

Gemütlichkeit among the vines.

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Ahead of Montmartre's own Fête des Vendanges that begins next week - and to avoid Oktoberfest madness - as an apéritif we decided to head to Germany's Schwarzwald (Black Forest) to savor regional wines (including seasonal Federweisser*) and local dishes, hike through forests and vineyards (ran into "Schnaps fountains" on trails and organized "Schnaps hikes"!) while getting in a bit of Gemütlichkeit surrounded by flower-draped Fachwerkhäuser, half-timbered houses. - BPJ

October newsletter

 

Below: market day in Offenburg; memorable last night w/German beer, Riesling-laced Swiss fondue, local charcuteries including Black Forest ham - and the ultimate Schwarzwald experience, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in the heart of the Schwarzwald!

 

 

 

 

 

(click to enlarge) 

 

PARIS - STRASBOURG

3 hours (or less) from Paris

 

Recommended: train/drive 

Train (1-hr 45 min) + car rental at station (45-min drive into Black Forest region)

 

 

* Federweisser a.k.a. Neuer Wein are late September's lightly fermented, fizzy young wines made from freshly harvested grapes. Often served w/savory Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) or Krapfen (a jam-filled fritter), their innocent lightness can conceal an unexpected punch.

 

Festival Friday

Montmartre's annual autumn grape harvest and wine festival bursts into life Wednesday, October 8.

 LA VILLAGE EN FÊTE 

Fête des Vendanges 2025

Ends Sunday October 12

Sad sack Saturday

 

"Donnez-moi l'amour et des sacs"

(Give me love and bags)

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 - ALL WEEKEND -

 LA VILLAGE EN FÊTE 

Montmartre's annual Fête des Vendanges

October 11 - 15