Fete des Vendanges..Montmarte

[Jody]

If you are going to be in Paris in October , on the 1st or 2nd week-end, you might want to make the trip up to Montmarte and take part in the Harvest festival at the only vineyard inside Paris.

Lots of music, costumes and people watching!

Don't know this year's dates but will post them when I find them.

Here we go!

12-14 October,2007

www.parisinfo.com/sortir-a-paris/les-incontournables-de-2007/sorties/689866/fete-des-vendanges-de-montmartre

[dep0515]

Demarais - I will be in Paris at that time and I think this sounds like it could be fun....however, the website is in French, and I couldn't find the equivalent in English.

Can you please tell me a little more about where it is/what times/what happens? Or if I'm missing an obvious English link (entirely possible) please let me know.

Thanks for passing this along!

[Jody]

I'm afraid there is not an English link. Maybe someone who reads French better than I do will help.

But it is all over the whole butte, you can't miss it. I did find a time schedule that might help you figure things out. It really does go on all day far into each evening.


www.fdvm.fr/


Make sure you click on le fête en image for some pictures...you'll see what I mean.

It's been several years since we've been but we did have great fun !

[Truffaut]

Here's a quick translation:

"Every year since 1934, the harvest festival has celebrated the arrival of crops grown on the hill of Montmartre. The harvest gives way to a public festival oriented around a big parade, an evening of musical entertainment, and temporary exhibitions by wine lovers, folklore groups, musicians and artists, all of whom contribute to the festive, friendly and warm atmosphere."

It goes on to say that this year's festival is in honor of singer Georges Brassens and that all the profits from sales of the wine and other products will be used to support social causes in the 18th arrondissement.

Schedule:

Friday October 12:
9:00am--Vendor stands open
10am-5:30pm--University Brassens (?)
6pm--Musical presentation at Sacre Coeur and opening of artists' exhibits
6:30pm--Regional exhibits open
7pm-8:30--Live radio broadcast/concert
7:30pm--Concert continuing until dawn
10:30--Movies and lectures about Georges Brassens

Saturday October 13:
9:00--Village Opens
10:00 am - 1:00 pm--University Brassens (?)
11:00 am--Official start of grape picking
2:45 pm--Children's chorus performance
3:00 pm--Folklore parade beginning at the Mairie, followed by concerts in the bars lining the parade route
5:00 pm--Parade ends with a children's chorus performance
6:00 pm--7:00pm--Concerts in the Metro stations and in front of Sacre Coeur
7:00pm-8:30pm--Live radio broadcast/concert
8:00pm-9:30pm--Concerts of Georges Brassens songs at local cafes
9:30pm--Fireworks at Square Louise Michel
11:00pm--Exhibits close
9:30pm--12:30pm--Concerts and readings in local bars

Sunday October 14
9:00am--Exhibits open
9:00am--8:00pm--Flea Market
10:00am-10:30am--Guided tour and lecture about the Cimetiere de Montmartre
10:30am-12:00pm--??
12:00pm--4:00--cocktails and dancing on the parvis of Sacre Coeur
4:00pm--Concert in honor of Georges Brassens

[Jody]

I see where the parade on Sat starts at the mairie...

1, place Jules Joffrin
75018 PARIS

[dep0515]

Thanks so much for your translation, Truffaut! This sounds like a lot of fun.

[Darcy]

Another reason why I think Oct is the perfect month to be in Paris!

Thanks Demarais!

[Truffaut]

This festival is patterned on those held in virtually every grape-growing region of France. I believe the official day for the "ban des vendanges" is always the 3rd Saturday in September. September isn't a good month for me to travel, but I hope my retirement years (a couple of decades away, alas) will bring me some well-deserved trips to the glorious vineyards of France!

If you do a little googling, you can find some really funny photographs and videos of assorted dignitaries scowling as they step in the mud and get their hands dirty while picking some grapes. Not our dear Delanoe, though!

[mez]

Sounds like a great event.

This time I miss out by a week - will have to plan the next trip much better

I'd love to hear about the event if anyone does end up going.

Mez

[grunblack]

Thank you for information on the festival. We arrive in Saturday 13 October at night, so will be able to make our way there in Sunday (it was going to be our wandering around day anyway and what better way to soak up a piece of Paris!). Now I'll have to brave the metro early!