Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

The best part of this Montmartre experience is that it treats cheese as more than a snack. Max links each of the eight French cheeses to its place, style, and method of making, then uses five wines to show how a pairing can change the flavor in your mouth. The tasting takes place in a cozy stone-walled space, not a crowded sightseeing bus or a rushed market stop.

I like the generous portions and the friendly teaching style. I also like that the group stays small, which gives you room to ask questions and meet the people at your table. The main consideration is that this is a serious amount of cheese and wine for two hours. If you want a light nibble, or you do not drink alcohol, this may feel like too much.

Key points at a glance

• Eight cheeses, five wines: The tasting moves through a broad range of French flavors, with one sparkling wine included.
• Max leads in English: Expect clear explanations, stories, humor, and plenty of time for questions.
• A stone-walled Montmartre setting: The intimate room gives the tasting a relaxed Parisian feel.
• Generous servings: This is closer to a filling afternoon activity than a few tiny samples.
• Good early-trip choice: Max shares Paris dining and bar suggestions, so book near the start of your stay if you want to use them.
• Simple meeting point: Look for the green wooden front at 98 Rue Marcadet, Paris 75018.

Eight cheeses turn a snack into a French lesson

France has an extraordinary number of cheeses, and eight samples give you a useful first map of that world. You are not simply handed a plate and told to guess what you like. Max explains the character of each cheese and how production, region, and aging affect the result.

That matters because French cheese names alone do not tell you what to expect. One may be creamy and mild, another firm and nutty, and another may have a stronger smell or a more forceful finish. You get the chance to compare them side by side, which is far more useful than trying one cheese in isolation.

The format also helps if you are unsure about cheese. Max presents the tasting in an accessible way, and the group setting makes it easy to discuss surprising flavors without feeling self-conscious. Several of the cheeses may be new to you, and some may be challenging. That is part of the point, but you are never expected to pretend that every style is your favorite.

The portions are generous. One participant joked that there was a lot of cheese, and another specifically wished for crackers or biscuits. Since crackers are not listed as part of the included items, I would arrive ready for cheese served as the main food focus, with fresh water available between tastes.

Five French wines show why pairing matters

The wine is not an afterthought. You taste five French wines chosen to match the cheeses, including one sparkling wine. The point is not to memorize labels. It is to notice how acidity, sweetness, bubbles, body, and flavor can alter the cheese.

A suitable pairing can make a cheese taste softer, sharper, sweeter, or more balanced. Some people leave with a new sense of why a cheese that seemed ordinary on its own becomes much more interesting with the right glass. You may also encounter a natural wine, depending on the selection offered that day. One tasting included a natural wine and used it as a lesson in how distinctive and unpredictable that style can be.

The experience is also useful for correcting simple assumptions. A red wine is not automatically the best partner for every cheese. One participant left with the memorable lesson never to eat cheese with red wine, although that is too broad a rule to apply to every French table. The more useful takeaway is that pairing depends on the individual cheese and the wine, not on a fixed slogan.

The advertised amount is five wines, but serving formats can vary. One account described four glasses during the pairings, so you should think of the activity as five wine tastes rather than five full restaurant pours. The servings are still described as generous, and the alcohol adds up. Eat beforehand if you know wine affects you quickly, and do not plan to drive afterward.

Max makes the two hours feel personal

Max is the central reason this works as more than a food sampler. His style is warm, funny, and direct. He explains cheese and wine in plain English, without turning the session into a lecture packed with specialist terms.

He also uses stories and regional details to keep the group involved. A map may be used to show where French regions sit and how large they are, giving you a better sense of the country behind the food on your plate. That geographic context is especially helpful when you later see unfamiliar names in a fromagerie or wine shop.

The teaching is interactive. You can ask about a cheese, a wine, or a pairing, and Max makes room for questions rather than rushing to the next sample. His humor helps people relax, including those who are less confident around wine or who do not normally love cheese.

This is not a formal sommelier examination, and that is a strength for most people. You will learn practical ideas you can use at a French restaurant or market without needing to remember a long list of technical definitions.

The stone-walled room gives the tasting its mood

The activity takes place in an intimate Parisian space with stone walls. That setting suits the subject. You are seated indoors for the full two hours, with the food and conversation as the main event.

Do not book this expecting a tour of Montmartre’s famous hill, Sacré-Coeur, or artist squares. The attraction here is the tasting itself, though the address places you in the 18th arrondissement and makes a useful base for exploring the neighborhood before or after your session.

The front store is green and made of wood, which is the key detail to look for at 98 Rue Marcadet. Allow enough time to find the door, especially if you are coming from another part of Paris. The meeting address is specific, but no separate transport from a hotel is provided.

The room’s small-group format is important. A large class can make a food lesson feel like a presentation. Here, the setting is designed for conversation, and a group of eight has been described as becoming friendly by the end. The exact group size can vary, but the experience is intended to remain personal rather than crowded.

What the tasting feels like from first pour to last bite

The session begins with an introduction to the idea of French cheese and wine pairing. Max sets the tone, explains how the tasting will work, and starts you with the first cheese and wine combination.

From there, the activity proceeds through a sequence of eight cheeses and five wines. You learn about each cheese before tasting it, then consider how the paired wine changes the flavor. The order gives you a chance to compare mild and stronger styles rather than treating the plate as one undifferentiated course.

The sparkling wine adds a welcome change of pace. Bubbles can make a tasting feel lighter and refresh the palate between richer cheeses. The remaining wines provide contrast, allowing you to notice why one combination works better than another.

Expect stories about where foods come from, how cheese is made, and what to look for in a glass. The explanation is not limited to taste. You may also learn about French agriculture, regional identity, and the traditions behind everyday foods.

The final part is as social as it is educational. Max answers questions, shares suggestions for places to eat or drink in Paris, and lets the group enjoy the room rather than pushing everyone out the moment the last pairing is finished. The full experience lasts two hours, and many people find that the time passes quickly because the session mixes tasting, discussion, and humor.

Is $70 a fair price in Paris?

At $70 per person, this is not a bargain snack. It is, however, a reasonable price for a two-hour guided tasting that includes eight cheeses, five French wines, one sparkling wine, water, and an instructor who explains what you are tasting.

The value is strongest if you want both food and instruction. Buying eight cheeses and several bottles of wine on your own would cost money, and you would not get the same structure or explanation. You also avoid guessing which wine belongs with which cheese.

The generous servings make the price look better still. This is not a decorative plate with one crumb of each cheese. The amount is substantial enough that you should treat it as a meal substitute for an afternoon, though the lack of listed crackers or biscuits may matter if you prefer cheese with a familiar base.

The value is less clear if you only want a quick tasting, dislike most cheese, or rarely drink wine. You may still enjoy Max’s humor and food stories, but the activity is built around tasting both products. For a couple or a small group that enjoys French food, the combination of quantity, teaching, and setting makes the fee fair.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a relaxed introduction to French food. It gives you vocabulary and confidence for later visits to a market, cheese shop, or restaurant.

It also suits repeat visitors. You do not need to be new to Paris to learn something useful about regional cheese or wine. The informal format makes it a pleasant change from museums and monuments, and one local participant found it worthwhile even without being a first-time visitor.

Food-loving couples and friends are a natural fit. The generous servings and shared table create an easy social activity, and Max’s personality helps groups connect. Solo visitors can also feel comfortable here because the small setting encourages conversation.

Families need to use their judgment. The activity is available in English and is wheelchair accessible, but it includes substantial wine. The supplied information does not specify a minimum age, so check the current booking details if children or teenagers are part of your group.

You should think twice if you have strong dairy restrictions, do not drink alcohol, or want an outdoor walking tour. No dietary alternatives are described, and the activity is centered on French cheese and wine from start to finish.

When to schedule it during your Paris stay

I would book this near the beginning of your trip, not only because it is a pleasant early introduction to French food. Max also gives practical suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other things to do in Paris. You can put those ideas to use during the rest of your stay.

The two-hour length fits well into a day in Montmartre. You can explore the neighborhood before the tasting, then settle into the room for an unhurried afternoon. Or you can schedule the session first and use Max’s suggestions to shape the evening.

Do not stack it directly before a major dinner reservation unless you are comfortable eating two substantial meals close together. The cheese portions are generous, and the wine servings can leave you feeling full and slightly tipsy.

English is the listed teaching language. If you want detailed explanations and easy conversation, this is a straightforward choice.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. Look for the green wooden front store. The tasting lasts two hours, and starting times depend on availability.

The fee is $70 per person. Included are the guided tasting, eight French cheeses, five French wines including one sparkling wine, and fresh water. The activity is wheelchair accessible.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Paris schedule is still shifting.

A few simple preparations will improve the experience:

• Have a proper meal earlier if alcohol affects you easily.
• Wear something comfortable for a seated, food-focused session.
• Do not assume crackers or biscuits are included.
• Book early in your stay if Paris food recommendations will help you.
• Leave time around the two-hour session rather than rushing to another appointment.

Should you book the Montmartre cheese and wine tasting?

Book it if you want a generous, social, and educational food experience rather than a quick photo stop. The strongest reasons are Max’s engaging style, the eight-cheese range, the five wine pairings, and the chance to learn how French food connects to regions and traditions.

I would skip it if you dislike cheese, avoid alcohol, need a specialized diet, or want Montmartre sightseeing included. For everyone else, the $70 fee buys far more than samples. You get a useful introduction to French taste, a comfortable setting, and practical ideas for eating well during the rest of your Paris stay.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

It takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, in the Montmartre area. The front store is green and made of wood.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What food and drink are included?

You receive eight French cheeses, five French wines including one sparkling wine, and fresh water.

Who leads the tasting?

The tasting is led in English by Max from EATCHEESEWITHMAX.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.