Why a Tea Festival in Paris ?

When the City of Light Blends Tradition and Innovation Over a Cup of Tea

Paris. A name that evokes art, taste, and cultural encounters. And what if we told you that the French capital is set to become, for one weekend, the beating heart of the tea world? That is precisely the ambition of the Paris Tea Festival, whose first edition will take place on June 14 and 15, 2025, a rare and refined event in which AVPA is proud to participate.

Paris, the European Capital of Tea?

It may come as a surprise. But on closer inspection, it seems only natural. For several decades now, Paris has established itself as a major crossroads of taste—a fertile ground for discovery and excellence. Its love for the culinary arts, its passion for hospitality, and its openness to all traditions make it an ultimate destination for exceptional experiences, including those centered around tea.

Historic salons, prestigious houses, new French tea plantations, tea schools, tea sommeliers: the Parisian scene is brimming with expertise, talent, and stories waiting to be steeped.

Two Days of Sensory Immersion

Saturday, June 14 – The “OFF” Festival

The “OFF” day invites the public to embark on a free and sensory journey through iconic tea locations in Paris. On the program:

• Tea tours through the most beautiful Parisian tea houses

• Tea and food pairings

• Mixology workshops

• Discovery of Asian and European tea rituals

• Visit to the L’Orée du Bois plantation, located in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne

• Open doors at the École du Thé by Palais des Thés

An inspiring itinerary that showcases the diversity and vitality of tea culture in France, especially the emerging French tea industry, which AVPA is proudly supporting.

Sunday, June 15 – The Main Event

The main event will take place in a prestigious and symbolic venue: the Maison Internationale at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. An elegant and leafy setting—home to over 150 nationalities—this location embodies the spirit of openness and dialogue that defines the world of tea.

From 10 AM to 6 PM, visitors will be able to:

• Freely taste teas offered by more than 50 exhibitors from 15 countries

• Attend conferences and talks led by leading tea figures (Jeff Fuchs, Lydia Gautier, Eduardo Molina Anfossi, Hasan Onder, Katrin Rougeventre…)

• Explore thematic workshops (tea and fragrance, rituals, tea and incense, the importance of water…)

• Introduce children to Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony

• Engage directly with producers and tea artisans, ambassadors of a unique expertise

  
  

A Word from the Founder

In an editorial filled with sensitivity, María Kockmann, founder of the Paris Tea Festival, shares her vision:

“Turning utopia into reality is part of the DNA of the Maison Internationale, and mine as well, because tea allows people from different backgrounds, cultures, and rituals to come together over a shared cup.”

This festival was born from a deep desire: to shine a light on high-quality tea expertise, to build bridges between worlds, and to offer a suspended moment, full of discovery, emotion, and transmission.

Shared Values with AVPA

The Paris Tea Festival embraces a philosophy that echoes that of the AVPA:

• Cultural transmission: speakers from around the world share their heritage

• Quality & traceability: terroir teas, often direct-trade

• Sustainability: porcelain cup offered (by Moychay NL), water filtration (Brita), waste reduction

• Openness: inclusive, multilingual, and accessible event

  
  

AVPA and Teas of the World

As part of the OFF Festival, AVPA is pleased to host a tasting of Korean teas, especially those awarded at the “Teas of the World AVPA 2024” Competition. This special moment, scheduled for June 14 at the association's headquarters, will also welcome a Korean delegation and showcase the richness of a tea terroir still relatively unknown in Europe.

Registrations for this tasting can be made via the festival’s official website: Home | Paris Tea Festival