Where to partake in what should be France’s national pastime: drinking great wine.
From the over-the-top opening ceremony on July 26 featuring competitors ferried up the Seine by boat to the last medal draped around a victorious athlete’s neck on August 11, Paris is going to be a hive of activity during the 2024 Summer Olympics. While locals are clearly divided into two camps—get out of town as soon as possible or just settle in and enjoy the show—visitors from around the world are flocking to the City of Lights to take in the spectacle and enjoy all that the French capital has to offer. If you are among the lucky few who have managed to secure tickets and a hotel room during Paris’ busiest summer ever, we’ve already shared some of the hottest restaurants to dine at, now enjoy our are our picks for spots to enjoy one of France’s most popular pastimes, drinking incredible wine.
Legrand Filles et Fils
Lucien Legrand was known in 1880 as one of the first wine merchants to sell wine by the bottle rather than in bulk. His great, great, great granddaughter Francine took over the family business in 1986 and she continues to source hard to find wines from small growers with whom she fostered strong business relationships over many years. Today Legrand Filles et Fils serves wine by the bottle or by the glass, small bites or full meals, and bottles to take back to your hotel from the retail store. You can also purchase wines from Bordeaux en primeur and have them shipped to you months later when they’re bottled and ready. We think this is one of the best possible souvenirs from your time at the 2024 Olympics.
The Ritz Paris
A true Parisian legend since 1898, the Ritz Paris has been the place to see and be seen for artists, politicians, actors, authors, models, wine lovers, and gourmands for over 125 years. Located at 15 Place Vendôme, it’s situated in one of Paris’ swankiest neighborhoods. Whether you choose to have a glass of wine in the decidedly Parisian Bar Vendôme, the Grand Jardin, or the Bar Hemingway with its private club feel, you won’t be disappointed. The wine cellar has over 2,300 labels to choose from and offers impressive verticals such as Château Angelus from 2000 to 2013 and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from 2007 to 2015. We recommend doing as we have done for years, visit the Ritz often and try a new bar each time. When were in Paris two weeks ago, we visited the Bar Vendôme and were very happy the barman steered us to a glass of Cigalas Blanc made by Gerard Bertrand, an old friend making excellent wine in the Languedoc since 1975.
Le Mazenay
Named for a small village in Burgundy close to the birthplace of chef and owner Denis Groison, Le Mazenay offers a concise menu of time-honored dishes such as foie gras, pork terrine, duck breast, and tuna steak with a touch of Vietnamese fusion, all using organic or sustainably farmed ingredients. Arranged by French regions, the six-page wine list features almost 300 bottles from well known producers such as J.M. Vincent, Raveneau, Thibault Liger-Belair, Château du Beaucastel, and Château Lafleur alongside under-the-radar gems. And whatever you order, don’t miss the spectacular pommes dauphines, rumored to be the best in the city.
Le Fumoir
Step back in time in this art deco bar and restaurant by sliding into an overstuffed leather armchair with a view of the Louvre. At Le Fumoir you’ll find a well-dressed but relaxed Parisian crowd and a few in-the-know travelers. The wine list has over 100 selections with a focus on organic, biodynamic, and naturally produced bottles personally chosen by the owner. If you’re in the mood for something to eat, request a table in the wood-toned dining room to experience chef Henrik Andersson’s innovative, Scandinavian based cuisine. We can personally vouch for his ceviche and grilled octopus paired with a crisp, clean Chablis served by the glass and his traditional steak frites paired with a delicious bottle of Cos d’Estournel 2014.
Juveniles Wine Bar
A combination of a wine shop, wine bar, and casual bistro, Juveniles was founded by Tim Johnston in 1987 with a focus on “off the beaten track” wine. Unlike most spots in Paris, at Juveniles you can find bottles and glasses from Spain, Italy, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and the United States as well as those from Beaujolais, Provence, Languedoc, and the Rhone Valley. Tim’s daughter Margaux now runs the bistro, and her husband Romain is behind the stove churning out his spin on the classics. Cool down with with pepper, tomato, and cucumber salad and a side of watermelon gazpacho or dig into large plates such as leg of lamb, beef entrecôte, or pork shoulder. This is another great spot to pick up a bottled reminder of your time in Paris.
Chez Fernand Christine
We didn’t expect much on our first visit to Chez Fernand Christine; with its stone and brick walls, red and white checked tablecloths, and chalkboard menu, it looks exactly like hundreds of other far less memorable bistros. That was before the friend who had invited us handed over the 1,300-reference leather bound wine list and suggested we choose a bottle. While that took a while, it wasn’t hard to zero in on our main dish, as the cote de boeuf for two was clearly calling our names. Ultimately, we settled on a Meursault from Pierre Boisson to go with onion soup gratinée and a Nuit-Saint-George Premier Cru from Domaine Henri Gouges for our steak. In addition to the other 1,298 bottles on the menu, you should also consider at least a sip of after-dinner Chartreuse from the large selection on offer.
Caves Pétrissans
Established as a wine shop by Marcel Pétrissans in 1895 and now run by the fourth and fifth generations of his family, Caves Pétrissans added a wine-focused restaurant in 1989. Still family owned, it is a tourist-free spot where locals gather to enjoy an aperitif at the bar before enjoying French classics on the airy terrace or in the traditional bistro-style dining room. Over 1,000 bottles from all over France and a by-the-glass list that changes monthly offer a plethora of options to accompany plates such as eggs in mayonnaise, smoked salmon, steak tartare, and Charolais beef filet mignon.
