Exploring Montmartre

Oh, I was there for this! We were unaware that this event was going on. It just seemed really busy, so we took the funicular up and it was just a teeming mass of people. Avoid it all costs. It was an absolute crushing madhouse. It actually felt dangerous. The train, which is always crowded around there, was packed like a sardine can and I literally had a hand reach in my pocket. The rest of Montmartre wasn’t much better. Never saw anything like it. I enjoy it up there usually, but no thanks.

As I suspected - massive crowds - not our thing.

That being said - my daughter is interested in visting a vineyard - I was charmed by the history of this little vineyard in Montmartre.

Apparently, access to the vineyard only occurs during this festival - I made contact with a guide at Tours by Locals - she is going to try and see if we can have a tour - next year. And, of course, we wanted to explore - but if there are masses of people and Covid issues - then we will have to rethink this spot.

I did read that the vineyard can be seen from the garden attached to The Montmartre Musee - perhaps a better choice on a day that is doesn't coincide with the wine festival.

I did consider Reims - but the tours are quite expensive and none of us really drink...

Amy wants to see a vineyard - so i will keep searching - lots of time to do so..

Thanks for your help!

the vendage used to be a delight -- now it is fenced in for security which means that you are jammed like a sardine and it is unremittingly unpleasant. Sadly so. WE last were there before COVID of course, but it was such a disappointment after so many fun evenings in the past sharing wine and street food and music.

For a great Montmartre walk during the day. Start at Lamarck Caulaincourt and walk up to Caulaincourt (up the stairs or go right and up the gradual incline to the street and turn right on Caulaincourt. Then cross over to Avenue Junot a couple blocks up Caulaincourt and wander up this gradual incline past interesting architecture to the square where the man is walking through the wall. Then go downhill to the left to the vineyard and turn right and approach the Basilica from the back -- or continue up to Place du Tertre.

Thank you for your feedback - I will copy and paste the information into my trip plan …

The vineyard can be seen walking past it on the street.

here's a Jay Swanson vlog, he was just there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV_a3iDTtGY

Thank you for forwarding this link to me!

I just watched it!

If you want to know anything about Montmartre, this vlog is a nothing more than an advertisement for restaurants and US style coffee shops. No history, no shots of local life such as the boules courts, no explanations of buildings where painters and writers lived, , just restaurants and coffee shops with a few glimpses of streets between stuffing his face.

Yes, he appeared to really enjoy coffee..

I have read the history of Montmartre - a good thing..

I think if we go to the Montmartre Musee- first - we can tour this wonderful museum and see the vineyards and the garden and then begin our wander day.. it will be fine - we will NOT visit during the wine festival …

'Visiting' the vineyard is overkill -- it is tiny tiny and there is nothing to be gained from entering it that you can't get from just observing from the sidewalk.

This is why the feedback on this list is so helpful!

Many thanks!

I agree it's not a great vlog, it's just a vlog based on what Jay cares about. But it shows the area.