Situated on a perpetually shaded nook just paces from the Panthéon, Les Caves du Panthéon’s boxy wooden room is wedged floor-to-ceiling with the cream of contemporary French natural winemaking, supplemented with a healthy stock of allocated classics from the Rhône, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. Current owner Olivier Roblin began working at the historic wine shop (founded in 1944) in 2001, before purchasing the business in 2009. He’s known for his longtime support of natural vinification, and his close relationships with many cult winemakers are evident in Les Caves du Panthéon’s 1000+ references. When, say, Jura winemaker Jean-François Ganevat makes a one-off cuvée for the French natural wine website Glougueule, here is where you’ll find it. Les Caves du Panthéon, along with nearby historic natural wine hotspot Café de la Nouvelle Mairie, make this flush, studenty corner of the 5ème an unlikely destination for anyone interested in the vanguard of French wine.
Practical information
Address: 174 rue Saint Jacques, 75005
Nearest transport: Cluny-La Sorbonne (10), Luxembourg (RER B)
Hours: Closed Sunday
Telephone: 01 46 33 90 35
Reviews of interest
Du Morgon Dans Les Veines (2011) “Voici donc l’une des caves parisiennes les mieux fournies question vin naturel : les Caves du Panthéon (75 005) rivalisent avec les Caves de l’Insolite, la Cave des Papilles et les Caves Augé. Parisiens, nous avons beaucoup de chance.”
Dr. Vino (2007) “…would be ‘worth a journey’ if Michelin rated wine shops…”
Wine Terroirs (2007) “…this caviste gathers more artisan wines than you’ll probably need. Very good selection, including some upcoming winemakers…”