While you’re visiting Paris, don’t forget that as well as all the museums and sights to see, there are some interesting and eclectic Parisian wine bars. These range in style but offer you a glimpse of the ‘real France’ with traditional food served with interesting wines along with an authentic French atmosphere. Below are a few to try out next time you’re in town:
Mélac
Located in the eleventh arrondissement between Bastille and the Republique square, the bistro is run by Jacques Mélac whose father set it up in the 1930s. Mélac is a charismatic man with a thick hairy moustache. He doesn’t stock wine made by people he doesn’t believe have the integrity as he feels a wine reflects the image and the personality of the winemaker. He also bases his decision on the wines in his bistro on taste and price. The wines are from south of France , the Loire region and those from his vineyard in Corbières. An interesting time to come is mid-September when Jacques harvests the grapes that grow along the sides of his wine bar. He organises a party at this time and the children trample the grapes in the vats that are put in the street. Each year Mélac produces 35 bottles, one of the biggest winegrowers in Paris.
Le Baron Rouge
Le Baron Rouge is in the 12th arrondissement near the well-known “Marché d’Aligre” this wine bar not only houses racks of fine wine but large oak barrels that make for interesting decoration. It tends to be busy both during the day and in the evening, at lunch there’s the market traders and shoppers and in the evening there’s a different and younger group of people. You can also buy wine in bulk here, either bring your own containers or you can borrow an empty bottle. If you get peckish while drinking, you can order some of the French cuisine small dishes.
Caves Legrand
Found in the second arrondissment, this shop not only sells wine from all over France but also Champagne. While you’re here you can also stock up on fois gras, chocolates and truffles. At the back of the store is a wine bar which is part of Galerie Vivienne, a 19th century shopping arcade. The wine bar sells five whites and five reds by the glass and these change each week. The wine shop used to be run by the Legrand family and their descendants but it was bought in 2000 by Christian de Chateauvieux and Gerard Sibourd-Baudry who have renovated the shop while continuously focusing on stocking good quality wine. In the middle of Caves Legrand is a bar where you can order fine and light foods to accompany the wine. Should you wish to try the wines in the store along with your meal, there will be an additional €15 for the corkage.
Taverne Henri IV:
The oldest wine bar in Paris is the first arrondissment of Paris on Pont Neuf which links the Ile de la Cité with the Right and Left Bank. As well as a selection of wine that is bought direct from the vineyards (including Beaujolais, Alsace wine and Crémants) you can also choose from a wide variety of food options; sandwiches, quiches, and charcuterie plates as well as pâté and andouillette.
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