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In previous posts, we have presented you small vineyards that have survived, or are resurrected, in the “intra-muros” Paris (inner-city), such as the Clos de Montmartre.
We have the pleasure to present you a new creation, a small Clos of 200 vines plants planted at the site of one of the oldest vestiges of the very old Paris, its 2000-year-old Roman arena.
A few years after the planting of vines in the heart of the “Lutèce” (Roman name of Paris) arena in 2021, it will soon be possible to taste a few sips of this wine produced in the heart of the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
Nestled in the heart of one of the emblems of the very old Paris, the Lutèce Arenas, the eponymous Clos consists of some 200 vines. Here, viticulture goes hand in hand with history. Indeed, according to the president of the association that manages the small vineyard, it is the oldest vestige of Paris still in existence. These arenas were built in the district by the Romans in the 1st century, some 20 centuries ago.
Above the lion’s cages that can still be seen, the vines have been planted on the site where the stands used to be when the site was used as an amphitheatre. In total, the vineyard, planted in 2021, includes three small hilly plots.
This bold idea is that of Philippe Rolin, a bookseller in the arrondissement (district) who was initially completely outside the wine world. « We were having a pétanque tournament here, in the arena with the mayor of the 5th arrondissement. It just so happened that the parts of the arena where the vines can be seen today were fallow land. She told us, like that, that it would be good to put vines instead. I took her literally », says Philippe Rolin, founder of the “Association du Clos des Arènes”.
Resurrecting the wine-growing soul of Paris
A few years later, the vineyard was created thanks to a team of about 100 volunteers who maintain it, from pruning to harvesting. The untreated vines include Floréal, Vidoc or Artaban varieties, “resistant to mildew and oidium, developed by INRA (the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment),” explains Philippe Rolin.
Through this project, he also had the idea of reviving the wine-growing roots of Paris. “In the 11th century, there were vineyards all over Paris because the city needed wine for its inhabitants. But from the 19th century onwards, the demand became too great. Production became less qualitative and eventually collapsed’, explains Philippe Rolin.
After three years of adaptation and harvest damaged by an adverse climate, 10 kg of grapes were finally harvested in the 2024 harvest. Although the hornets have passed through there and have amputated part of the harvest, the vinification is underway in the restaurant “En face de la petite Périgourdine”, located a few steps from the Lutèce arenas.
Here, no Château nearby. Who says vineyards in Paris intra-muros, says limited resources to produce wine. But thanks to the help of Sylviane Leplatre, the oenologist of the Clos de Montmartre (see our post on this Clos), the whole process could be carried out here: destemming, pressing, maceration. Today, the 7.5 small litres of wine are stored in a Dame Jeanne in the restaurant, awaiting a bottling date. This one should take place in the town hall of the 5tharrondissement, as indicated by Philippe Rolin.
In view of the small harvest, he is planning to produce 50cl bottles, which he would like to sell through sponsorship. « The company, or whoever buys a bottle, will have its name at the beginning of a row of vines. You’ll have to consider these bottles as rare, symbolic objects. If we end up making a profit, it will be donated to the 5th arrondissement Student Charity Grocery shop. »
The wine-loving bookseller remains confident about the future of the vineyard. He is betting on a harvest of 80 to 100 kg of grapes next year. « According to the experts, it takes between three and five years for the vines to take root and start producing. I have no doubt that one day this place will become like the Clos de Montmartre», concludes Philippe Rolin.
If you would like to sponsor a row of vines, have your name at the beginning of a row of vines and drink a bottle of it one day, you can contact us by e-mail – owc@bacchusglobal.co.th -, we will put you in touch with Mr. Philippe Rolin, the President of the association that manages the small vineyard. (Dr FX)