• Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris - Embark on an insightful journey through Medieval and Roman Paris, exploring the role of wine in shaping the city and the emergence of gothic architecture. Starting at the heart of the city on the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame, delve into the origins of the gothic style and the influence of wine in the construction and restoration of Notre Dame. Although we do not enter Notre Dame, it serves as the starting point for our exploration of Roman and Medieval Paris.
• Square Rene Viviani - Discover the oldest tree in Paris located in this square. Here, we also share the intriguing tale of Saint Julien le Pauvre, who, despite committing the grave act of murdering his parents, was canonized as a saint.
• Eglise Saint Julien Le Pauvre - While we do not enter this Byzantine-style church, we take a moment to appreciate its exterior beauty.
• Eglise Saint-Severin - This church was a popular place of worship for students of the Sorbonne University.
• Musee De Cluny - On the Saint Michel side of the Cluny Museum, visitors can view the remnants of the Roman baths. The museum itself boasts one of the world’s most extensive collections of Medieval artifacts, including the renowned tapestry series ‘The Lady and the Unicorn’.
• La Sorbonne - We pause at the statue of Michel de Montaigne, the inventor of the essay, to recount the rich history of La Sorbonne University.
• Eglise De Saint-etienne-du-mont - As we pass by the statue of Dante Alighieri, the College de France, the Clos Bruneau, the Placette Jacqueline de Romilly, the Ecole Polytechnique, and the Montagne Saint-Genevieve, we arrive at the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont to discuss its stained glass and the film ‘Midnight in Paris’.
• Pantheon - Originally a church, the Pantheon was transformed into a mausoleum for ‘the great men of France’, including seven women. It is also the site where Foucault demonstrated the Earth’s rotation using a pendulum.
• Wall of Philip II Augustus - A remnant of the 12th-century wall of Philippe August can be seen on rue Clovis. Nearby, we find the Scottish College on rue Cardinal Lemoine and the location where James Joyce completed ‘Ulysses’. Further along the street, we also see where Ernest Hemingway resided.
• Place de la Contrescarpe - Once encircled by vineyards, this square has been a vibrant meeting and drinking spot since the Middle Ages. Its lively atmosphere remains unchanged. It is also where La Pleiade, a group of French writers, chose to abandon Latin in favor of popularizing French writing.
• Arenes de Lutece - On the pedestrian rue Rollin, we honor Rene Descartes, who famously declared, ‘Dubito, cogito, ergo sum’. We continue to Paris’ Roman Arena, nearly 2000 years old. A vineyard known as the Clos des Arenes existed here in the Middle Ages and has been revived, with vines now planted on three slopes of the gradients that once hosted thousands of spectators for gladiatorial combat and nautical jousting matches.

• A glass of sparkling wine, or juice for the abstemious or under age.

• Private transportation

This engaging walking tour starts in the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité, beneath the iconic Notre Dame, where participants explore the beginnings of Gothic architecture and the role of wine in the cathedral’s history and restoration.

As the tour meanders through secluded side streets, the narratives shared bring the essence of Paris to life, linking visitors to its historical past. From the Roman Baths at the Hôtel de Cluny to medieval educational hubs like La Sorbonne and the Collège de France, each location enhances the sense of historical continuity.

History comes alive at St-Étienne-du-Mont, the Panthéon, and the remains of the Philippe Auguste Wall. The rue Mouffetard, once a bustling medieval market path, still vibrates with energy, reflecting its historical significance.

The tour concludes at Paris’ Roman Arena and a secluded vineyard once owned by the 12th-century Abbaye St-Victor—where Roman heritage and medieval customs quietly persist. Participants will celebrate this living history with a glass of organic sparkling wine, fostering a deep connection to the spirit of Paris.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.