Introduction : “Welcome to the Wine museumâ€
Close by the Eiffel Tower, the Wine Museum of Paris is located in the former cellars of the 15th Century Passy Abbey. It is a unique, unusual place in which to find many items and tools of yesteryear. A place of character lighted up by waxwork.
A Venue:  With 4 communicating vaulted rooms to organise your events. an expert reveals the secrets of blind wine tasting. Our cellars are ideal for organising dinners, press conferences, seminars, group lunches…during the day or in the evening, and they can all be entirely personalised
A Restaurant: Opened Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 3 pm.
History of the Museum
The winding tunnels that now are home to the Wine Museum of Paris have an extensive history. Once ancient quarries excavated from Calcaire Grossier (coarse limestone,) the site was then converted into cellars by the Minime brothers for the Passy Monastery. The quarries were dug out between the 13 th and 18 th century to serve as a source of stones for the construction of the French capital.
The tunnels were carved out from the Lutetian layer of the earth, which measures 37.80 meters above sea level. The word Lutetian is derived from the Latin name for Paris, Lutece . The underground passageways were dug using a technique to create pillars that would support the ceiling. During the 19 th century, cement and brick walls were erected to bring the tunnels together.
A well at the museum’s entrance bears witness to the presence of natural water sources from long ago. Between the 17 th and mid 18 th century, various fresh water sources were discovered in the Passy neighbourhood (from which the name rue des Eaux ,“street of the waters,†is derived). The Passy waters were determined rich in iron although possibly diuretic. However, because of their mineral richness, the well off Parisian society used the waters to heal themselves. Those who frequented the Passy waters during the 18 th century were for the most part intellectuals and artists. The waters were exploited up until the Second Empire.
The cellars were refurbished in 1950 and served at a certain point as the wine cellar for the Eiffel Tour’s restaurant. It then developed into the Wine Museum that you see today, belonging to France’s Conseil des Echansons since 1984. This association was founded in 1954 and seeks to protect and promote the best appellations of French terroir. In order to realize this mission, the Conseil des Echansons convenes in France, abroad, and even here in the sixteenth arrondissement at the Wine Museum of Paris. The association brings together amateurs and professionals alike from across the globe who wish to preserve the savoir-faire, the quality, and the universal renown of French wines
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Wine brotherhood "Conseil des Echansons de France"
The Conseil des Echansons de France , owner of the Wine Museum of Paris, was created in 1954 for the advocacy and promotion of the best wines coming from French soil. Among the founders of the Conseil figured famous art restorers and Parisian wine merchants. Today the Conseil numbers over a thousand. Its members include professionals and amateurs alike who represent the brotherhood across the globe.
According to an ancient tradition, the echanson , or cupbearer, is he who pours the beverage. At the king court, this the position of echanson was deemed one of the highest honours from very early on. This position was reserved only for trustworthy men of the nobility. The Grand Echanson de France , or simply, Echanson de France , served the king personally at four annual celebrations: Spring, Whitsunday, All Saints’ Day, and Christmas. With the help of his assistants, the grand echanson managed the king’s wine cellars in addition to overseeing more ordinary services. Caretakers of the tradition, the members of the Conseil des Echansons embody the knowledge and experience of their illustrious predecessors. Its mission is to maintain a certain savoir-faire and to preserve the quality that accounts for the universal renown of French wines
Wine tasting at the Paris Wine Museum
The Wine Museum of Paris offers wine tasting classes intended to guide amateurs through the beginnings of understanding wine. Our courses seek to provide our students with the ability to describe wines and recognize grape varieties.
All classes are conducted in French unless otherwise noted
The classes taught in English are usually introductions to wine tasting; although other classes, such as "tasting champagnes" are possible
Classes take place at the Wine Museum on Saturdays either from 10am-12pm or from 2:30pm-4:30pm
5 wines are tasted throughout the course of a class and comprise wine theory as well as practical wine tasting – (Participants are strongly encouraged not to wear perfume or after-shave)
Pratcical informations
Useful information
Adress Musée du Vin
Rue des Eaux / 5 Square C. Dickens
75016 Paris
Opening hours
The Wine Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Wine Museum is closed on Chrismas and New Year's Eve weekend
Access
How you can get to the Wine Museum:
By Metro – take line 6 to Passy station
By bus – take the no. 72
By car – via Avenue Kennedy
Nearest car park : Garage Le Moderne : 19 rue de PASSY 75016
To reach the" Le Moderne" car park from the ring road:
Exit Porte de Passy, straight on to Place de la Porte de Passy, straight on to avenue Ingres, straight on to Chaussée de la Muette, straight on to rue de Passy.
The garage is opposite the Le Majestic cinema.
To reach the "Musée du Vin" from the Le Moderne car park:
Walk out of the car park and go down rue de Passy to the roundabout (50 metres)
Go down rue de l’Alboni to the PASSY underground station (between LCL and the pharmacy)
Go down all the steps of the underground (a hundred) and take the 1st right into rue des Eaux; the Museum is at the top of the street.
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