Paris Montmartre grape harvest festival October 8-12
Montmartre's grape harvest festival returns October 8-12 with parades, concerts, and tastings centered on Sacré-Cœur in the 18th arrondissement. Paris authorities have issued temporary traffic bans for select streets during prime events, and local transit near the Butte will run heavy. Travelers should anticipate intermittent closures, crowding around gathering points, and longer lines on Métro lines 2 and 12, which serve Anvers and Abbesses.
Key points
- Why it matters: Large parades and tastings will close streets near Sacré-Cœur and slow last-mile transfers.
- Travel impact: Expect packed platforms on Métro 2 and 12, localized bus detours, and walking transfers.
- What's next: A police decree restricts traffic on October 9 during evening festivities; more spot closures are possible.
- Use earlier arrival windows for tastings and stage events to clear security and crowds.
- Check real-time RATP updates before you depart, then recheck after major parades.
Snapshot
The Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre is scheduled October 8-12, with the city and district confirming the 92nd edition across Montmartre. Core venues cluster around the Parvis du Sacré-Cœur, with tasting kiosks, concerts, and the processional corso drawing dense crowds. A Préfecture de Police order restricts motor traffic on specified streets on October 9 from 600 p.m. to 1100 p.m., aligning with headline festivities. Parking and through-traffic on or near the Butte will be constrained, and ad-hoc pedestrian holds are likely at pinch points such as Rue Azais and Place du Tertre. Budget extra time for last-mile connections and favor walking transfers via Anvers or Abbesses rather than ride-hail or taxis on parade evenings.
Background
Launched in 1934, the Montmartre grape harvest festival celebrates the Clos Montmartre vineyard and neighborhood culture with auctions, tastings, and performances across the 18th arrondissement. The official program highlights tastings around Sacré-Cœur, free concerts under the Décibels Vendanges banner, and a weekend "Parcours du Goût." Authorities strongly discourage driving on the Butte during the festival window; previous editions have also restricted parking on approach streets to manage processions and emergency access. For visitors, the easiest approach is by Métro 2 to Anvers or Métro 12 to Abbesses, then a short uphill walk or funicular ride, understanding that queues lengthen near showtime and immediately after parades.
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Latest developments
Street closures and busy Métro lines during Montmartre grape harvest festival
Paris Police published an order restricting motor traffic on parts of the 18th arrondissement on Thursday, October 9, from 600 p.m. to 1100 p.m., covering streets along the evening corso route. The Mairie du 18e and the festival's own guidance underline the advice to avoid driving on the Butte throughout the festival, noting prior parking bans on approach roads during the event window. Expect bus detours and intermittent stop closures adjacent to Sacré-Cœur during lineup and dispersal. RATP does not list systemic shutdowns for Métro lines 2 or 12, but crowding is likely at Anvers and Abbesses before and after concerts and tastings; plan for platform queues and possible one-way pedestrian flows at station stairwells. Build a 20- to 30-minute buffer for venue entry and consider walking between Line 2 and 12 to bypass surface delays.
Analysis
For travelers, the primary risks are last-mile delays and crowd saturation rather than citywide transit disruption. Because the festival is hyper-local to the Butte, concentrated waves of foot traffic will create choke points at Sacré-Cœur's forecourt, Rue Azais, and the stairs rising from Anvers and Abbesses. On October 9, the formal traffic ban along the parade route adds friction for taxis and ride-hail, and it pushes more visitors onto the Métro and funicular. The smart play is to approach from the periphery: ride Line 2 to Anvers, exit early, and walk up via quieter side streets; or ride Line 12 to Abbesses and ascend gradually, stopping short of the main bottlenecks. Time tastings earlier in the day to reduce wait times, and prioritize exits before the final headliners end. If you are connecting to late trains or flights elsewhere in the city, build in at least 60 minutes of extra buffer from Montmartre to your onward hub, especially on October 9 when surface traffic controls peak.
Final thoughts
Montmartre's grape harvest festival is one of Paris's most atmospheric autumn events. With parades, tastings, and concerts centered on Sacré-Cœur, the area will be festive and congested. Skip driving, add buffer on Métro 2 and 12, and use walking transfers to thread the crowds. Arrive early for headline tastings, and keep your route flexible on October 9 during evening traffic bans. With a little planning, you can enjoy the performances, wine stalls, and views without missing connections during the Montmartre grape harvest festival.