What the festival actually is
The Fête des Vendanges marks the yearly harvest of the Clos Montmartre, the small vineyard tucked behind Sacré-Coeur on the Butte. It’s the neighbourhood’s biggest annual event, and the 2026 edition was set for October 7-11, 2026. The programme announced five days of wine tastings, concerts, street theatre, artisan food stalls and a costumed grand parade through the hilltop streets.
The vineyard itself dates back to the 1930s and produces only a token amount of wine each year. The harvest is largely ceremonial, an excuse for the whole quartier to throw a party. A fireworks display typically closes out the festivities. The event spills across Montmartre’s steep lanes rather than sitting in one enclosed venue.
Where it happens
The action centres on Rue des Saules and Rue Saint-Vincent, where the Clos Montmartre vineyard sits. It is a short walk from Sacré-Coeur basilica and Place du Tertre. Stalls, tasting tents and stages typically spread through the surrounding streets of the 18th arrondissement.
- Nearest metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt (Line 12) or Abbesses (Line 12)
- Alternative: Anvers (Line 2), then walk up through the streets below Sacré-Coeur
- The grand parade route usually winds through the historic core of the Butte
The festival is spread across a hillside neighbourhood rather than a single fenced site, so there is no single ticket gate. Stage schedules, tasting fees and parade timing are set independently each year.
Getting the timing right
Montmartre’s cobbled streets are narrow and already busy with regular tourist traffic. Festival days add costumed marchers, stalls and crowds on top of that. The grand parade and evening concerts usually draw the thickest crowds. Daytime hours earlier in the five-day run are typically calmer for seeing the vineyard or browsing stalls than the final weekend.
Sacré-Coeur’s steps and Place du Tertre are busy with regular sightseers regardless of the festival. The climb up the Butte, on foot or by the funicular from Square Louise Michel, takes longer on busy days.
Tasting, buying and moving through the crowd
Wine tastings at the festival usually involve a token fee for a glass or tasting card, paid on the spot at the relevant stand. Card acceptance varies from stall to stall at a street event like this, and cash is the most widely accepted.
- Street food and wine stalls: pay per item, cash is safest
- Concerts and parade viewing: generally free and open along the public street
- Any ticketed tastings or special events: priced separately, with no fixed cost
Locals treat this as a neighbourhood fair, not a formal ticketed festival. The streets mean walking on slopes and cobblestones, and there is more standing room than seating. Exact daily schedules and any ticketed elements change year to year.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre?
The 2026 festival was scheduled for October 7-11, 2026, over five days. Daily schedules for the festival often shift from year to year.
Do I need tickets?
No ticket was needed to walk through and watch the street festival. Some tastings or special events usually carry a separate fee.
How do I get to the festival?
Take Metro Line 12 to Lamarck-Caulaincourt or Abbesses, or Line 2 to Anvers and walk up. The Clos Montmartre vineyard on Rue des Saules is the focal point.
When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
Daytime hours early in the five-day run are usually calmer. The grand parade and evening concerts typically draw the largest crowds.
What's nearby worth combining with the festival?
Sacré-Coeur basilica, Place du Tertre and the artists' quarter of Montmartre are all within a short walk of the festival streets.
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