Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

Eight cheeses, five French wines, and a host who can turn a tasting into a lively lesson: this Montmartre experience makes French food culture easy to enjoy, even if you are new to cheese. Max leads the session in English, pairing each cheese with wine and explaining what makes the combination work.

I like two things in particular: the generous range of tastes, which gives you a better sense of France’s regional variety, and Max’s warm, funny teaching style, which keeps the facts clear without making the event feel like a lecture. The stone-walled room and small-group format also make this a welcome change of pace from Paris’s busier sights.

One consideration: five wines over two hours can add up, and the exact pour sizes are not specified. If you drink lightly, ask about portions before booking, and remember that fresh water is included.

At a glance

• Eight French cheeses give you a broad tasting rather than a token nibble or two.
• Five wines, including a sparkling wine, are selected to pair with the cheeses.
• Max leads in English, sharing the basics of cheesemaking and the logic behind pairing.
• A small-group setting encourages questions and conversation, though the maximum group size is not stated.
• The two-hour session costs $70 per person and takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet in Montmartre.

A stone-walled room in Montmartre

The tasting takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet, in Paris’s 18th arrondissement. Look for the green wooden storefront. The room is described as an intimate Parisian space with stone walls, a setting that suits a slow tasting better than a noisy, crowded bar.

This is an indoor food experience, not a walking tour. You will spend the two hours tasting and listening, with the focus on the cheeses, wines, and stories behind them. That makes it a useful choice for a rainy afternoon, a relaxed break between sightseeing, or a shared activity when your group wants to sit down for a while.

The address is specific, but it is still worth checking your route before you set out. Montmartre’s streets can make a simple walk feel less direct than it looks on a map. The experience itself is listed as wheelchair accessible, a helpful detail for planning.

How the tasting unfolds

The core of the session is straightforward: Max guides you through eight French cheeses and five French wines, including one sparkling wine. He explains the cheeses and the pairings as you taste, so you are not left guessing why one wine works better with a particular cheese than another.

The tasting is designed to be both social and educational. Max talks about the art of French cheesemaking and the different regions represented in the food and wine. A map has been used to show where regions sit and how their size and location relate to what is being served. That bit of geography gives the tasting context: French cheese is not one single style, and place matters.

The experience is not described as a formal technical course. Expect clear explanations and room for questions rather than a long lecture on production methods. If you want to know why a cheese tastes stronger, how a wine’s character changes alongside it, or what makes a pairing click, this is a good setting to ask.

Eight cheeses, each with its own character

Eight cheeses is a substantial lineup for a two-hour tasting. You get to compare distinct flavors and textures rather than sampling one famous French cheese and calling it a day. The selection is personal to Max, and the pairings are chosen to bring out the character of each cheese.

That variety is useful even if you already know what you like. A cheese you might pass over on a shop counter can make more sense when you hear where it comes from and taste it alongside a wine selected for it. Some pairings can change the way a cheese tastes, which is part of the fun: the wine is not simply something to sip between bites.

Portions are described as generous, so do not treat the session as a quick appetizer. One practical note: crackers or biscuits are not listed among the included items. If you prefer to have something with the cheese beyond the tasting itself, ask the host about this before you go.

Five wines and the art of pairing

The five French wines include one sparkling selection. The point is not just to drink five different wines, but to understand how a pairing can either support or clash with a cheese. Max explains the choices in plain terms, making the lesson useful even if wine vocabulary is new to you.

The tasting also offers a chance to reconsider familiar assumptions. For example, one useful lesson from the session is that red wine is not automatically the best partner for cheese. The right match depends on the cheese and wine in front of you, not on a simple rule that all reds belong with all cheeses.

The precise wines can vary, and no fixed list of bottles or regions is provided. That leaves room for a changing selection, but it also means you should not book expecting a particular grape or label. Go for the guided comparison and the chance to taste different styles, not a promise of one named bottle.

Five wines over two hours may feel like a fair amount, especially alongside generous cheese portions. Fresh water is included. If you are not used to tasting several wines in one sitting, take your time and ask Max about pour sizes; the amounts are not specified.

Max makes the lesson feel like a conversation

The host is a major part of this experience. Max is repeatedly described as funny, welcoming, and able to explain cheese and wine in a way that is easy to follow. His style matters because a tasting can become a string of names and facts if the guide does not make the subject engaging.

Here, the teaching is meant to stay accessible. Max shares stories about the cheeses and wines, answers questions, and helps set a friendly tone among the group. The result is less like a classroom and more like a guided afternoon with someone who enjoys talking about what is on the table.

That personal approach is especially valuable if you are traveling with people who have different levels of interest. A wine enthusiast can ask detailed questions, while a curious beginner can focus on the basic flavors and pairings. The session is in English, so you do not need French to follow along.

Max has said he has hosted more than 3,000 people over two years. That experience is reflected in the central promise of the activity: a relaxed, organized tasting where the host is comfortable sharing both useful information and a little humor.

Is two hours the right amount of time?

Two hours gives you space to taste eight cheeses and five wines without having to rush through every sample. It is also long enough for questions and conversation, which is part of what makes the experience more than a quick food stop.

The trade-off is that this is a focused activity. If you would rather spend the afternoon wandering Montmartre, shopping, or visiting sights, a seated tasting takes time away from that. I would plan it as the main event for a relaxed part of the day rather than try to squeeze it between two timed attractions.

Because the session includes several wines, it is also worth considering when it fits your plans. If you want to remain sharp for a museum visit or a long walk afterward, you may prefer to book at a time when you can take things slowly. There is no need to turn the tasting into a race; savoring the pairings is the point.

Is $70 good value?

At $70 per person, the price buys more than a few bites and sips. You get eight cheeses, five French wines, a sparkling wine among them, fresh water, and a guided explanation over two hours. The value comes from the selection and the host’s teaching as much as from the quantity.

This is a stronger choice for someone who wants to understand what they are tasting than for someone simply looking for the cheapest way to have a glass of wine. You are paying for a structured experience with an expert guide, and the small-group format can make it easier to ask questions than at a large event.

The price may feel less attractive if you do not enjoy cheese or wine, or if you are expecting a full meal. The activity is a tasting, not a dinner, and portion sizes are not formally detailed. Still, with eight cheeses and five wines, it is more substantial than a brief sample flight.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would recommend it to curious eaters, wine lovers, and anyone who wants a sociable way to learn about French food. It also works well for couples, friends, and families who are comfortable with wine tasting. The personal, conversational format makes it a good pick if you prefer learning from a local host rather than reading labels on your own.

You do not need to arrive with prior knowledge. The explanations are intended to be clear and accessible, and the host’s humor helps keep the session light. Even if you are unsure about some cheeses, the range gives you a chance to discover what you enjoy.

If you dislike cheese or avoid alcohol, this may not be the right use of two hours. The experience centers on both, and no non-alcoholic wine alternative is specified. People with dietary restrictions should contact the host ahead of time rather than assume substitutions are available.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a friendly, hands-on introduction to French cheese and wine, with enough variety to make the pairings interesting and enough explanation to remember what you learned. Max’s hosting style is a key reason to choose this over a basic tasting flight.

Skip it if you are looking for a full meal, a walking tour, or an activity with little or no alcohol. For most curious eaters, though, $70 buys a well-filled two hours in Montmartre, with a useful lesson in how French food tastes when you slow down and pay attention.

FAQ

Where does the tasting take place?

It takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. Look for the green wooden storefront.

How long is the experience?

The tasting lasts two hours.

How many cheeses and wines are included?

You taste eight French cheeses and five French wines, including one sparkling wine. Fresh water is also included.

What language is the tasting in?

The instructor leads the tasting in English.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $70 per person.

Can I cancel or reserve without paying right away?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also offered, so you do not have to pay at the time of booking.