Best Wine Bars in Paris – A Local’s Guide (Septime, Le Baron Rouge, & More)

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Paris has an almost overwhelming number of wine bars (trust me when I tell you that you can turn down nearly any street in the city and you will find one). The hard part is not finding a wine bar in Paris, it is figuring out which ones are actually worth your time and which ones are just fine. I have spent a lot of time picking through the great, the good, and the completely forgettable, and this guide is the result. Every wine bar below is one I have personally been to and would happily go back to, organized by arrondissement so you can build them naturally into wherever you are already exploring. As the French say, “Santé”!

How to Use This Guide

This guide is organized exactly like my restaurant guide – by arrondissement, with each one a personal favorite. Paris wine bar culture is a little different from what you might be used to, and there are a few things worth knowing before you start. Most of these places do not have a traditional wine list. Instead, you tell the staff what you like, or just trust them completely, and they bring you something they think you will love. Many of the best wine bars do not take reservations, which means the move is to show up early or be ready to wait. This is a living guide and I will keep adding to it as I keep drinking my way through Paris.

1st Arrondissement

Le Garde Robe

Tucked into a quiet street near the Louvre, Le Garde Robe is part wine cave, part tiny restaurant, and one of my favorite wine bars in Paris. They have more than 140 natural wines that line the walls, and the menu changes by the week. It is the kind of place that does not take itself too seriously while taking the wine very seriously indeed – brick walls, an old wooden floor, and a vaulted 17th-century cellar downstairs if you want something a little more intimate. Go for the cheese and charcuterie, and of course… stay for the wine.

3rd Arrondissement

Le Barav

In the heart of the Marais, Le Barav has been pouring glasses since 2007 and it still feels exactly as it should – warm, convivial, and unfussy. It works as both a wine bar and a proper cave, so you can sit down with a glass from their rotating by-the-glass selection or pick a bottle from the 250 references on the wall to drink on the spot or take home. The food is simple and done well with generous boards and a small (but good) menu.

Le Pinardier

Le Pinardier has built a real reputation in the 3rd, and it is easy to see why the moment you walk in. There is no wine list – you tell them what you are in the mood for and they pour you something from the 350-plus bottles in the cellar. The tapas-style plates are excellent, the energy is lively, and it gets packed toward the end of the week, so book ahead if you can.

6th Arrondissement

Chez Nous

There is no menu at Chez Nous. It’s another one of those wine bars where you sit down, the staff asks a few questions about what you like, and a glass suddenly appears. It’s a tiny, narrow space with exposed stone walls near the Seine, and despite sitting in one of the most touristy parts of the Left Bank, it manages to feel completely unlike a tourist spot. Chez Nous is walk-in only, so arrive early or be ready to squeeze in at the bar.

9th Arrondissement

BIBOU

BIBOUS is the kind of wine bar that makes a regular Tuesday night feel like an occasion (seriously, I’ve been MANY Tuesday nights). Set in a beautiful little corner of the 9th, it has the warmth of a proper French bistro paired with a wine selection that goes well beyond the basics. The atmosphere is lively and I’m sure it’ll quickly be a favorite of yours too. (I do want to note, the food here is not the best so I’d plan to eat before or after).

11th Arrondissement

Folderol

Folderol is one of my favorite places in Paris. On paper, it’s an ice cream shop. In practice, it is one of the most fun wine bars in the 11th. They serve natural wine, served alongside seasonal, slightly unexpected ice cream flavors that change daily. You do not need to order dessert to enjoy the wine, but I recommend it.

Septime la Cave

Getting a table at Septime itself is notoriously difficult. Septime La Cave, its tiny wine bar spin-off a few doors down, is the very good consolation prize (although it still gets incredibly busy). Pick a bottle from the wall or choose from their rotating by-the-glass list. The small plates are simple (but excellent) and the space is almost always full, which should tell you about how good it is.

12th Arrondissement

Le Baron Rouge

Le Baron Rouge is old-school Paris wine culture at its best – loud, casual, and completely full of character. Just steps from the Marché d’Aligre, it is famous for the barrels stacked along the walls and the oysters shucked fresh on the sidewalk (in season). The wine list is extensive and the prices are some of the best in the city.

18th Arrondissement

Poney Club

Tucked into a quiet corner of Montmartre between Lamarck and Jules Joffrin, Poney Club is the kind of place locals try to keep to themselves. The owner curates a natural wine selection that leans heavily into skin-contact and orange wines, and the by-the-glass pours change throughout the night depending on what gets opened. The small plates are great and the whole space has a vintage, lived-in charm that makes it easy to stay far longer than planned.

A Note On This Guide…

These are the wine bars I personally go back to and recommend without hesitation. Paris has an almost endless number of excellent ones, and I will keep adding to this list as I keep discovering more. If you want help building a wine bar crawl into your Paris itinerary, I would love to help.

There is no shortage of wine bars in Paris, and there never will be. But the ones on this list have earned their place through repeat visits… not just a good first impression. Pick one near wherever you are staying, trust the staff when they ask what you are in the mood for, and let the evening go longer than you planned. That is how it is supposed to go here in Paris.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, don’t miss…

• 15+ Bucket List Things to Do in Paris
• Best Luxury Hotels in Paris – Where to Stay in the City of Lights
• Where to Stay in Paris – A Local’s Guide to the Best Arrondissements

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