The 7 Best Wine Bars in Paris

Is any trip to France complete without a visit to some of the best wine bars in Paris? In a country that boasts some of the world’s most famous wine regions, it’s little wonder that the French capital is a haven for wine lovers.

Wine has played a starring role in many of my Paris food tours, as I’ve learned that Parisians take their wines as seriously as they do their food! All that aside, you don’t have to be a budding sommelier to appreciate some good wine bars in the City of Love and their sublime wine lists.

If you’re curious as to where you’ll find the finest wines in the city, add these Paris wine bars to your list.

Wine Therapy Bar à Vins & Bistrot Paris 9

Photo credit: Wine Therapy Bar à Vins & Bistrot Paris 9

Wine Therapy is a gorgeous wine bar in the 9th arrondissement that I only came across on my most recent visit to Paris.

Its minimalistic decor ensures all the focus stays on the wine, with stylish features like chic greyscale wallpaper, rows of wine racks, and sleek teal-colored finishes.

There were just a handful of customers here when I arrived midweek, so I got the chance to ask the owner for all his top recommendations. I explained my preferences, and he picked out numerous wines that perfectly matched my descriptions, my favorite being the Chablis.

Wines from the Chablis region are made from chardonnay grapes in cooler climates. This gave the wine a more crisp, mineral finish compared to a traditional chardonnay, and the citrus and pear notes added a subtle sweetness.

Wine Therapy Bar à Vins & Bistrot Paris 9 (€€) – 35 Rue de Montholon, 75009 Paris, France – Closed every Monday and Sunday and open every Tuesday to Saturday from 5:30 pm to 12:00 am

Divvino Marais

Photo credit: Divvino Marais

Le Marais is brimming with incredible wine bars, as you’ll know if you’ve ever joined one of my Le Marais food and wine tours. Yet, Divvino Marais always comes out on top for me.

Upstairs is the quaint wine shop, which sells conventional and natural wines, and downstairs is the cozy bar, where wine tastings are held. A group of wine-loving friends and I booked a tasting session and instantly fell in love with the red brick ceilings and soft, ambient lighting.

The team here offers several different tastings, and we opted for the basic package, which includes four wines from four distinct regions and accompanying cheeses. We ticked things off with a Premier Cru de Chamery, an exquisite champagne, which was paired with brie.

This lively wine had a delicate, almost white color, and the blend of tart hawthorn and warm hazelnut gave it a balanced flavor palette. Meanwhile, the creamy, mild brie countered the champagne’s acidity and allowed the wine to mellow out the richness of the cheese.

Divvino Marais (€€) – 16 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris, France – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Le Barav

Photo credit: Le Barav

Le Barav has been considered one of the best wine bars in Paris for years, and it’s rare to see an empty table at this Le Marais hotspot.

I’d stopped by on a couple of occasions to pick up a bottle or two of wine but never managed to snag a space until recently. The atmosphere was always so vibrant on their outdoor patio, so I pulled up a seat at one of the rustic wooden tables.

After becoming fond of some of their rosés, I decided to purchase a bottle and pay the corkage fee to enjoy a glass or two on-site. Feeling a little peckish, I couldn’t resist sampling their charcuterie board.

As much as I love their French wines, I went for a sparkling Italian alternative and sipped on some Brachetto d’Acqui. Its aromatic cherry flavors and foamy finish complemented the rich, succulent saucisson and smoky, silky jambon de Bayonne.

Le Barav (€€) – 6 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003 Paris, France – Closed every Monday and Sunday and open every Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

La Cave des Abbesses

I happened upon La Cave des Abbesses in Montmartre a few years before I started my Montmartre food and wine tours. In fact, this was one of the spots that inspired me to create curated tours for this artistic district.

At first, it looked like your quintessential French wine shop, but as I walked toward the back, I discovered a hidden wine cellar. The low-key vibe and moody lighting were too inviting to refuse, so I decided to stop in for a glass of wine or two.

In addition to the lengthy wine list, La Cave des Abbesses offers a selection of tapas-style small plates. As I had eaten not long before visiting, I stuck to wine and ordered a glass of Domaine Marionnet premiere vendange.

Made from gamay grapes, this light-bodied vintage wine has an intense red appearance and refreshing notes of raspberry and currants. Even with its complex flavor palette, it has a lovely, clean finish.

La Cave des Abbesses (€€) – 43 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm

Les Petits Crus

Photo credit: Les Petits Crus

Les Petits Crus in the 11th arrondissement is among the top places to drink wine in Paris if you want to learn how to create the perfect wine and cheese pairings.

The dining area had a modern feel to it, but the deep purple walls and dark wooden tables kept it intimate and inviting. As much as I enjoyed the setting, it was the staff that really set this place apart.

From start to finish, the waiter explained each item in depth. All of the wines were served in quirky test tube-inspired glasses alongside a plate of mouthwatering cheeses. Of the four pairings I tried, the Brillat-Savarin cheese and Ardeche cuvee chardonnay came out on top.

While the cheese’s velvety texture and creamy flavors intensified with each bite, the wine’s almond and honey hues did the same with every sip. They both had strong undertones, yet they didn’t overpower each other.

Les Petits Crus (€€) – 13 Rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed every Sunday

Ambassade de Bourgogne

Photo credit: Ambassade de Bourgogne

This time, we’re heading south of the Seine River to Ambassade de Bourgogne, a top-tier wine bar along the Left Bank. If you’ve partaken in my Left Bank food and wine tours, you might have heard me mention this place before!

The arched ceilings and pale-colored stone walls provide the perfect backdrop for the shelves full of diverse French and international wines.

As the name suggests, this place had an impressive selection of burgundy wines, and I went for the Gelin coteaux bourguignons. Because the line-up of wines is so wide-ranging, it’s worth asking the staff, most of whom speak English, for some recommendations.

Featuring a blend of gamay and pinot noir grapes, this wine had a spicy, fruity aroma and felt so smooth in the mouth. Dark fruits were the overarching flavors, but there was a subtle hint of vanilla and licorice.

Ambassade de Bourgogne (€€) – 6 Rue de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France – Open every Monday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

L’Etna

Photo credit: L’Etna

As far as natural wine bars in Paris go, L’Etna is among the best in the business. Situated in the 6th arrondissement, this little gem primarily stocks products from winemakers specializing in natural wines.

L’Etna is compact, homely, and chic, with its white wood-beam ceilings, curved bar, and neutral color scheme. It’s super tiny inside, so I was stoked to spot a few remaining seats along the bar.

I visited with a friend, and we decided to split some sharing plates to go with our wine. Honestly, I couldn’t fault any dish, but the sardines took the top spot. Salty, meaty, and topped with pungent olive oil, this mild-flavored fish worked a treat with a glass of La Pentière Muscadet.

The saline-like tinge brings out the brininess of the fish, and the sharp acidity and tart citrussy tones keep this white wine tasting fresh and elegant. Although I typically prefer a slightly sweet wine, the Muscadet’s grassy and floral elements had me reaching for the second glass.

L’Etna (€€€) – 33 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 6:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Conclusion

With menus full of Loire Valley whites, sparkling Champagne wines, and Bordeaux reds, these Paris wine bars will surely please any of my fellow wine enthusiasts.

Even if you don’t know that much about wine at all, you should pop by one of these places, and the staff members working behind the bar are sure to help you out.