Meeting Point

2 rue Linne, 75005

Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes is the second oldest park in Europe and has been a centre for scientific research since the 1600s. Originally the King's medicinal and vegetable gardens, it evolved into one of the world's greatest centres for the study of the natural sciences. In addition to trees that are hundreds of years old, a botanical collection that extends to 28,000 plant species, a zoo, a natural history museum, art nouveau greenhouses, and beautiful tree-lined avenues, it also has one of Paris' hidden vineyards.

Les Arenes de Lutece

Paris' Roman Arena has a history that is 2000 years old. The Clos des Arenes, another hidden vineyard, revives the memory of the vineyard that was here in the middle ages. Here we discover the Roman history of Paris, while blind tasting a sparkling wine, and learning about viticulture.

Place de la Contrescarpe

The Latin Quarter is the oldest quarter of Paris and has been a centre for learning since the Middle Ages. Most of the city's universities and colleges are found here, and its literary illuminati are legion. This neighbourhood has been the focus of a lively bar scene since the Middle Ages, and has hosted countless writers, poets and artists including Rabelais, François Villon, Hemingway, Descartes, Blaise Pascal, James Joyce, George Orwell and George Sand, to name a few.

Rue Mouffetard, Philippe Auguste Wall, Pantheon

The rue Mouffetard is a famous market street that evokes the 'old' Paris. Vestiges of the 12th and 13th century Philippe Auguste wall can be seen on the rue Clovis. Passing through a medieval alley by the Eglise St Etienne du Mont, we recount the history of the Pantheon. Originally a church, it became a mausoleum for the 'Great Men of France', five of whom are women. It was also here that Foucault proved the rotation of the earth with his pendulum.

Wine Tasting

Our final destination is the private tasting room of a winebar. Here we will continue our exploration of Paris' wine history, and wine itself, with a blind wine tasting accompanied by exquisite cheeses and rustic fermented bread. The tasting is blind to encourage a better appreciation of what is in the glass. A background to wine production, an in-depth overview of viticulture and wine production, is complemented by anecdotes about wine in general.

Ending Point

The tour ends in a winebar for a blind tasting of two wines, accompanied by exquisite cheeses and rustic fermented bread.