At a Glance
Introduction
Paris is known for having some of the world’s best and most popular wine. If you’re a wine snob, we’d be surprised if Paris wasn’t somewhere on your itinerary.
You can find just about every type of wine in Paris, as well as some of the world’s best quality.
First, here are some things you should know about French wine:
While standard wine wasn’t invented in France, this country is known to have some of the best quality vineyards and soil in the world. In fact, soil determines the quality of the wine, along with climate. Whether it’s white or red wine, usually, the darker the wine is, the warmer the climate is where its grapes were grown.
If you want to learn a little bit about the wine different regions of France, check out our guide to wine tastings in Paris.
Have you toasted Champagne lately? Well, that was actually invented in France. A French monk in the 17th century experimented and finally discovered it, saying to his fellow monks, “Come quickly, I’m drinking stars.”
Back then and even today, French monasteries have led Europe’s wine and Champagne industries.
When drinking wine in France, many pair it with cheese, meat, and bread, depending on the wine variety and level of dryness.
After a long day of shopping, site-seeing, and strolling along the French capital, you’ll likely want to relax somewhere for a glass of wine. Some perfectly-paired snacks won’t hurt, either.
The capital is full of places to do just that, but we’ve narrowed down a list of the very best wine bars in Paris.
L’Avant Comptoir: Latin Quarter
3 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006 Latin Quarter
(No telephone or online menu)
If you’re looking for a casual, fun atmosphere, then L’Avant Comptoir du Marché is a popular Parisian spot.
In fact, you’ll find many local Parisians in this hidden gem in the 6th arrondissement. All days of the week, you’ll find them chatting and telling stories over champagne and sausages from noon to 11pm here.
Here are some highlights of L’Avant Comptoir du Marché:
- Close to the Latin Quarter, in the 6th arrondissement
- Over 60 small-plates by renowned chef
- Friendly, non-intimidating space
- Wide range of prices, from budget-friendly to luxury
- Small, with limited space
This spot isn’t necessarily ideal for a formal occasion; rather, it’s more for a laid back gathering. You’ll be sitting on stools and not in some fanciful dining room.
L’Avant Comptoir du Marché prides itself on its simplicity. For this reason, it may be less intimidating for a newcomer to Paris than a more formal setting.
In other words, it’s a good starting off point if you’re wanting a knowledgeable staff who’ll help you pair it to some tasty food.
Metro / RER Lines
Metro: 10, 4 / RER: B
Septime la Cave: Bastille
3 Rue Basfroi, 75011, Bastille
+33 1 43 67 14 87
For something still intimate but slightly more upscale, we’re recommending Septime la Cave. This cozy spot has a sophisticated selection of wines and central location in the 11th arrondissement.
If you’re cruising or strolling around the Oberstampfe or Bastille neighborhoods, you can easily get to Septime la Cave.
Here are some highlights of L’Avant Comptoir du Marché:
- In the 11th arrondissement
- Adjacent to its main, highly popular restaurant
- Rustic, intimate vibe
- Small, specialized menu with expert wine pairing recommendations
- Limited hours, from 4:00pm—11:00pm
Based on customer reviews, it’s helpful if you can learn some basic French phrases. This spot is dominated by locals and French speakers.
For that reason, several reviewers online have suggested that knowing how to order in French is a huge advantage for better service.
The snacks are simple, but quite upscale as far as snacks go. Since it’s low-lit and cozy, Septime la Cave is ideal for a meeting, date, or get-together that’s on the special side.
Metro / RER Lines
Metro: 9
Barav: Le Marais
10 rue de la corderie, 75003, Le Marais
+33 1 48 04 57 59
In Paris’s 3rd Arrondissement, Barav is a special place. As a guest, you have the option of sitting in the bar area or even in its rustic wine cellar.
Besides wine, Barav serves classic French cuisine. The authenticity only gets better when you realize all the locals and the community feel of the place.
Upon ordering food or inquiring about wine suggestions, the server will actually escort you to the wine cellar next door. There in the wine cellar, you can select from hundreds of bottles of all varieties and price ranges of wine and champagne.
Although you do have a good selection of wine by the glass, the venture of going down into the wine cellar is recommended. It’s part of the main appeal to this place and why so many Parisians and travelers keep coming back.
Here are some of the highlights of Barav:
- Renowned, extensive wine cellar
- High ratings by New York Times, The Guardian, and more.
- Authentic French cuisine and charcuterie boards
- Bring-your-own-bottle-of-wine available (5 euro corking fee)
- No bookings available— so come early
A popular place comes with one downside— less availability. Unless you come before peak times, there’s a high chance you won’t find a table.
However, if you come by 5:00 pm (opening time), you’re more likely to snag a spot.
Metro / RER Lines
Metro: 11, 3, 8, 9
La Cave du Paul Bert: Bastille
16 rue Paul Bert, 75011, Bastille
01 58 53 50 92
(No online menu available)
If you want to visit the grand City of Lights but experience some small-town delight, La Cave du Paul Bert has promise.
Walking into La Cave du Paul Bert, you’ll notice that this place doesn’t have pretension or formality. It’s definitely one of the smallest places on this list, and its menu is typically sketched on some chalkboard in the morning.
Besides wine, this wine bar and restaurant features simple small plate dishes that are elevated with fresh ingredients and modern twists of the classics.
One thing that may surprise you— the cuisine is Spanish style. It’s not to say that there isn’t French influence in it, but the small kitchen produces some colorful, flavorful, and eye-catching tapas.
Here are some highlights and features of La Cave du Paul Bert:
- Spanish-style tapas, with fresh meats, herbs and seafood
- Wine selection including natural wines
- No frills— focused on the food and wine
- Longer hours of operation than average
While many of the other wine bars have more narrow times they’re open, this one is typically open from 12:00 pm—3:00 am all throughout the week.
Plus, you’ll want to stay and try their food. La Cave du Paul Bert is popular for their meats and fish.
Locals and travelers tend to order the carpaccio, the haddock, monkfish, and grilled courgette, but their menu is non-fixed. If you visit La Cave du Paul Bert, the signatures, as well as some surprising fusions await.
Metro / RER Lines
Metro: 8, 9
Frenchie Bar à Vins: Sentier
5 Rue du Nil, 75002, Sentier
+33 1 40 39 96 19
Its sister restaurant holds a Michelin rating and 2021 Traveler’s Choice status. Frenchie Bar à Vis is still humble, however.
The Bar à Vins is the younger, smaller extension to the restaurant, but it definitely mirrors the larger establishment’s quality and reputation.
According to Chef Greg Marchand, Frenchie’s selections are meant to reflect the ingredients and products available. You can’t count on always seeing the same selection of dishes when you return; however, its small menu tends to rotate the choices with the seasons.
Hence the name, Frenchie keeps its food more on the French side, with some fusion and experimental dishes occasionally.
At the wine bar, you’ll have selections from France, as well as international wines. The creators thought to embrace the cosmopolitan spirit of wine and the capital, while still keeping a finger on tradition.
Here are some highlights and feature of Frenchie Bar à Vis:
- Cozy, relaxed atmosphere
- Fresh, seasonal food, with multi-course lunch and dinner options
- Extensive wine and alcohol menu
- Reasonably priced food and drink (15 euros average)
- Narrow hours of business, typically 6:30pm—11pm
Frenchie Bar à Vins has a relaxing use of decor to create an atmosphere. You’ll notice its forest green walls and accents against masonry and wood.
We’d say that the physical atmosphere mirrors the overall concept of this restaurant— natural but sophisticated.
Metro / RER Lines
Metro: 3, 4
RER: A, B
Le Petit Sommelier: Montparnasse
49, avenue du Maine, 75014, Montparnasse
+33 1 43 20 95 66
Lastly, if you’re looking for a wine bar with the traditional Parisian experience, Le Petit Sommelier is a hidden gem in the Montparnasse Quarter.
It’s more formal than the average wine bar these days, as it has clothed tables, full silverware, mirrors, and wine-colored accents.
Don’t worry, however— there’s no dress code. Le Petit Sommelier is still open to casual guests.
Here are some highlights and features of Le Petit Sommelier:
- Formal-style restaurant and wine bar
- Extensive drink menu
- Bookings and reservations available
- Large sized dining hall / high capacity
- Terrance
- Long service hours (8:00am—11:00pm)
Le Petit Sommelier is proud of its French heritage. You won’t find much fusion in its cuisine, but instead very traditional French food.
This wine bar also has an abundance of warm lighting, mirrors, and bottles everywhere. With this, it sets up a romantic atmosphere.
This wine bar might be a good pick for those who want the classic Parisian experience. It’s not exactly a hip quick stop.
The best news, with its long hours, high capacity, booking option, you’ll have a place secured.
However, its high press coverage and popularity means it does get rather packed— so it’s not ideal for passersby wanting to pop in and out in 10 minutes.
Metro / RER
Metro: 12, 13, 4, 6
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kind of wine is popular in France?
France is a haven for wine lovers, since it produces so many varieties of wines, from natural wines, to factory wine, to biodynamic wines, and more.
If you ask a French person what wine is most popular, they’ll likely tell you dry red. You can explain this preference with French dining culture.
In French dining culture, you drink wine with dinner. The traditional wine of the French dinner table is a bottle of red, dry wine.
However, that’s not to say that the French don’t produce and drink other types of wine, such as semi-sweet.
The French are just known for embracing their bottles of red, dry wine more often than other types.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is a type of wine that is organic-style, or without additives. This organic-style, or natural, wine is created by traditional methods.
We say organic-style since the term natural doesn’t necessarily equate to “Certified Organic.”
Another name for natural wine is biodynamic wine.
There are two things to keep in mind about natural wines— inconsistency and shelf life.
Many wine lovers praise natural wines for their lack of additives, chemicals, and preservatives; however, these natural wines can have shorter shelf lives once opened.
That is, they may spoil fast after opening.
Also, two bottles of the same natural wine may taste very different. By making the wine “raw,” the taste loses some consistency.
It’s best to approach a bottle of natural wines the same way you would approach organic foods.