Wine your way through the Marais – Ile-de-France, France

EXPERIENCE:

The ‘vineyard’ of the Parc Joseph Mignaret is emblematic of a much greater story. Though these young vines, planted only a few years ago are more decorative than productive (no wine is made from them), they provide us with a link to the viticultural history of the Marais and medieval Paris. Charles the V built his palace near here to get away from the overcrowded and noisy Ile de la Cité. The Hôtel Saint-Pol was a royal residence begun in 1361 by Charles V on the ruins of a building constructed by Louis IX. Located to the southwest of the quartier de l’Arsenal in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, the residence’s grounds stretched from the quai des Célestins to the rue Saint-Antoine, and from the rue Saint-Paul to the rue du Petit-Musc.

The history of the Marais is recounted through the perspective of the role the vine played here, as there was also a vineyard in the palace gardens of the Hotel Royal St-Pol. From the rue Saint Antoine, which was the old Roman road to the East, we meander through narrow medieval alleyways to see the largest extant section of the Philippe Auguste wall and on to the area where the Hotel St-Pol once stood. The anecdotal history of the rue Beautreillis (street of beautiful trellises, which were used for vines) includes Cézanne and Jim Morrison and on the rue Charles V there is a lurid tale of poisoning. The Hotel Fieubet on the Quai des Celestins marks the south-east corner of the Hotel St-Pol and the quays of the Seine below were once one of Paris’ main commercial ports.

Our tour continues with more historical anecdotes along the Seine to the Pont Marie and across to the Ile Saint-Louis and one of the oldest winebars before heading to our tasting in the cellar of a natural wine shop. The tasting includes 2-3 wines (tasted blind) with exquisite organic bread, carefully selected cheeses and seasonal organic vegetables. Discover the secrets of natural wines and why living soils are essential to making great wine. Understand the differences between biodynamic, organic and conventional agriculture. Learn about sulphur and why it is misunderstood. Enjoy the company of other wine enthusiasts and experience Paris at its very best!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

We begin with a hidden vineyard to discover the role the vine still plays in the urban landscape.
Stroll through the medieval alleys of the Marais, see the Philippe Auguste wall, discover where the Hotel Royal St-Pol once was and the royal vineyard
Taste natural wines in the cellar of a Parisian wine shop with exquisite bread, cheese and seasonal vegetables.
See where the world’s largest wine storage facility once stood

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