Imagine Paris centuries ago. It was not just a city of lights but also a land of vineyards. Today we are at Passage des Vignes. It echoes a time when wine production thrived here.
Paris once rivaled Burgundy and Bordeaux in wine fame. Wine was consumed like water even by children due to poor water quality. Numerous vineyards dotted the Parisian landscape. Most have disappeared. However, a few remain as a reminder of this past.
These vineyards are not remnants of old estates. Instead, they were planted in the 20th century. They mark historic wine-growing areas. The city of Paris manages these vines. Sometimes they even offer harvesting opportunities.
Passage des Vignes reminds us of the city’s wine history. Several “clos” or walled vineyards existed here. These were common in the Middle Ages.
On the Right Bank, Clos Georgeau once flourished. It was near the Butte Saint Roch. Today, Avenue de l’Opéra stands in its place. Clos du Hallier was located by Rue Bergère.
The Marais district also had vineyards like Clos Margot. It was behind Place des Vosges. This was before the Hôtel des Tournelles was built.
Wine production thrived near the University on the Left Bank. Clos de Saint Symphorien was near the Collège des Cholets. Clos Bruneau was close to Rue des Carmes.
Across from Saint Germain des Prés was Clos des Vignes. It stretched along Rue des Saints Pères. Clos de Saint Etienne des Grès was beside the church of the same name.
On Montagne Sainte Geneviève, Clos du Roi was near the king’s wine press. Clos Vignorai and Clos des Chartreux were in today’s Jardin du Luxembourg. Finally, Clos Garlaude, Clos Saint Victor and Clos des Arènes were in the Saint Victor area.
These historic vineyards are mostly gone. Only a few remain in areas like Montmartre and Butte Bergeyre. Passage des Vignes evokes these lost vineyards. It provides a connection to Paris’s wine-making past. So, take a moment. Remember the time when wine flowed freely in Paris.