Arts and architecture may steal the limelight, but Paris wouldn’t be the city of light without great wine and good times. Which is what you’ll find in the capital’s finest wine bars.
Whether you share a passion for the grape or delight in animated evenings with a glass or two in a snug bolthole, there is a cellar for you. So, why not crack open a bottle and pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple as we wend our way through the hottest wine bars distilling the essence of l’esprit Parisien.
Ma Cave Fleury
Diversity is the tagline on the local wine scene, with biodynamic and natural wines muscling in on the old order. Ma Cave Fleury exemplifies this, boasting a cellar stacked with ecologically sourced wines, including champagne from family vineyards.
Matching the offbeat wine menu is the shabby chic setting. Old-world charm meets new-world glamour, with a distinctly French personality. Lying just off the beaten path in Arts-et-Métiers, Ma Cave Fleury is a place to leave pretension at the door and raise a glass to the Fleury family, viticulture pioneers for several generations. The entire operation is clearly a labour of love.
Look out for live music sessions, the ultimate pairing with good wine.
Ma Cave Fleury: 177 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002
https://macavefleury.wordpress.com/
Diversity is the tagline on the local wine scene, with biodynamic and natural wines muscling in on the old order. Ma Cave Fleury exemplifies this, boasting a cellar stacked with ecologically sourced wines, including champagne from family vineyards.
bustling yet always welcoming Le Barav stands out from a bewildering array of buzzing haunts in vibrant Le Marais. A touch of cool fills the air, yet the corner café-bar retains an utterly Parisian character. Choose a glass or bottle from the serried racks of regional French wines (takeout is available), or tease your palate with the daily mystery wine. Then grab a planche de fromage from a tempting small plate menu, squeeze onto the tightly
Le Barav
The bustling yet always welcoming Le Barav stands out from a bewildering array of buzzing haunts in vibrant Le Marais. A touch of cool fills the air, yet the corner café-bar retains an utterly Parisian character. Choose a glass or bottle from the serried racks of regional French wines (takeout is available), or tease your palate with the daily mystery wine. Then grab a planche de fromage from a tempting small plate menu, squeeze onto the tightly-packed terrace, and recharge after a day pounding the district’s museum-packed streets.
Le Barav: 6 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003
https://www.lebarav.fr/
Willi’s Wine Bar
A hop and skip from the elegant Jardin du Palais Royal sits Willi’s Wine Bar, a Parisian institution. Hard to imagine now, but there was a time when cafés were the only place to snatch a casual bite to eat washed down with a glass of wine. Willi’s was at the vanguard of an 80’s cave à manger trend that never faded. A passion for Rhône wines guides the attentively curated cellar, while an inventive food menu changes daily. Quirky art enriches the intimate space, the vibe is set to easygoing, and the love of once unfashionable appellations is palpable.
Willi’s Wine Bar: 13 Rue des Petits Champs, 75001
https://www.willisbwinebar.com/
Magnum La Cave
Rocking a breezy vibe and diverse wine menu that dares to make room for vins étrangers (foreign wines), Magnum La Cave is a sparkling Le Marais gem still just about flying under the radar. Tucked away near historic Place de Vosges, the outward appearance is unassuming. A tiny terrace hints at more; inside a warm and deceptively spacious interior is tailor-made for couples to share a glass from a sublime selection of natural and biodynamic wines.
Small plates keep the conversation flowing while the friendly staff happily engage
curious minds keen to know more about wine.
Magnum La Cave: 26 Rue Beautreillis, 75004
AccueilBar Etna
Balancing sophistication with informality, Bar Etna is the place to hit if you want to pick the brains of wine experts. Packed around the canoe-shaped bar, patrons can ask for a glass to match their tastes. Or let their eyes wander around the eclectic collection of natural and French regional wines on display until one tickles their interest.
Sitting in chic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, sometimes it’s standing room only. otherwise, the space is ideal for a chilled moment away from the overcrowded cafés nearby.
Bar Etna: 33 Rue Mazarine, 75006
https://www.instagram.com/etna_baravin/
Le Vin au Vert
Down-to-earth wine bars are found in unlikely places. Positioned between boho Montmartre and the bright lights of Pigalle is a traditional venue that merits a detour. Unstuffy and priced like the owners forgot they’re in Paris, Le Vin au Vert puts natural wines front and centre. Locals love it here, yet visitors are welcomed with open arms and helpful tips. Chirpy staff help tourists pick through a selection of take-home vintages you can’t find in the supermarket.
The menu might be limited, but wine is king. And it’s a far more relaxing place to unwind than the brash bars of the nearby red-light district.
Le Vin au Vert: 70 Rue de Dunkerque, 75009
https://www.facebook.com/levinauvertparis/?fref=ts
Le 11e Domaine
An archetypal cave à manger, Le 11e Domaine is well-positioned to recharge batteries after visiting the atmospheric Père Lachaise Cemetery. The time-worn wooden bar speaks to the enduring popularity of a neighbourhood joint renowned for its inexpensive stockpile lining the walls. Affable staff will
happily guide you to the right glass or bottle to take away. Lingering over a plate of fruity fromage is encouraged, while background jazz keeps the mood bubbling.
If you’re looking for an authentic Parisian wine bar with heart, this Montparnasse hangout is the place to be.
Le 11e Domaine: 14 Rue des Trois Bornes, 7501
https://www.11emedomaine.fr/
Le Baron Rouge
Our final glass is raised in the 12th arrondissement’s beloved Baron Rouge. It’s a compelling stop after a romantic walk along the scenic Coulée Verte RenéDumont.
Signature wines are tapped from the barrel, keeping prices low. While a vigorous choice of natural wines caters to discerning fans. The setting and menu are quintessentially French, unlike the legendary Red Baron.
Fresh oysters draw weekend crowds that spill over the slender terrace. Although not an original choice, if you had to pick just one wine bar in Paris to while away an evening, Le Baron Rouge checks all the boxes for oenophiles and tourists looking for a good time. A fitting place to close out our flying tour of Parisian wine bars.
Le Baron Rouge: 1 Rue Théophile Roussel, 75012
http://lebaronrouge.net/
Title Article Image: Magnum La Cave via Instagram, Bar Etna via Instagram
