Parisians will be celebrating their very own grape harvest from October 8 to 11. "The 'Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre' is a very Parisian occasion," says Sylvie Canal, the artistic director. "It is very 'bon enfant' (relaxed and friendly) despite attracting so many people."
The event, organised by the mairie of the 18th arrondissement, has been running since 1934. Before urbanisation saw the vines disappear in 1928, the Butte (mound or small hill) de Montmartre had always been covered with vines. A small area was replanted in 1933 to prevent further urban development and the following year's harvest was celebrated in style. Since 2008 the scope of the fête has been expanded to cover the whole of the arrondissement instead of just the area around the vineyard, on the corner of rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent. Attracting around 400,000 people every year, it is the third most popular event in Paris after 'Paris Plage' and 'Nuit Blanche'.
There is plenty of entertainment for all the familyJérém Photos
"The first day, Wednesday, is given over to activities for children," says Sylvie Canal. "There will be a giant disco and a show, and in the evening there will be a soirée at the mairie with local choir 'Envie de Chanter', which is well-known for getting everyone to join in. This will be followed by a participative dance. The aim is to encourage people to join in and have fun rather than just watch.
"On Thursday the primary schools in the 18th will be singing five songs on the theme of youth. They have been rehearsing with their teachers, and will be performing around Sacré Coeur, and in the afternoon there will be a documentary screening and a conference. This is followed by a 5km fun-run from Sacré Coeur to Montmartre. Before the runners set off there is a musical warm-up. There is only space for 500 runners, who sign up online. It would be too complicated to organise and supervise any more entrants than that. It's really friendly, there are no winners. The atmosphere is great, many runners wear fancy dress, and it always attracts lots of spectators,” she added.
"On Friday afternoon there is a big dance show on the Esplanade Nathlie-Sarraute, with lots of dancers on stage. It will be very spectacular. All the events organised by the mairie are free but of course there will also be a full programme of events ‘off’, and those are paying." The 18th arrondissement is blessed with numerous cafés, bars and restaurants, and during the fête there will also be pop-ups, stands and food trucks galore.
An official ceremony among the vines of MontmartreFête des Vendanges de Montmartre
"All week there will also be guided visits to the vineyard, which is normally closed to the public. You have to sign-up in advance online, but it is free. There are also a dozen concerts given in the evenings all over the 18th."
Saturday is the big day. In the morning the Confrérie of the 18th perform the traditional ceremony, the 'Bain des Vendanges'. There will be people in medieval costumes, and speeches in the vines, and then a parade from the vineyard to the mairie with music and street entertainment. This always attracts huge crowds. In the afternoon there will be a performance of Brazilian dance and then a ball.
Local associations will present their texts on this year's theme, 'Le 18e éternellement jeune' (The Eternally Young 18th).
The traditional 'Cérémonie de Non-Mariage', unofficial weddingErwan Floc'h
On Sunday morning in the Place des Abbesses there will be the traditional 'Cérémonie de Non-Mariage' performed by the mairie of the 18th for couples who want to 'se fiancer pour éternité’ (get engaged for eternity). Then there is an introduction to wheelchair basketball and to finish, a massive ball on the esplanade below Sacré Coeur.
