Cheese and wine in Montmartre, minus the tourist noise.

This 2-hour tasting is built around a simple idea: French cheese tells a bigger story when you taste it with the right wine, in the right room.

I like the intimate stone-walled setting and the way you get a real guided pairing experience, not a rushed snack stop. The standout is the host, Max, who keeps it funny while making the science and the tradition feel easy to understand.

One thing to consider: you’ll drink wine (5 pours, including sparkling) and eat a lot of cheese. If you dislike cheese and wine, this may not be your best Paris meal plan.

Key things that make this tasting worth your time

• 8 French cheeses, each with its own flavor personality, so you taste range, not repeats
• 5 French wines matched to each cheese, with one sparkling pour to reset your palate
• Max’s clear teaching style, with practical pairing tips you can actually use later
• A calm, local-feeling space in Montmartre that makes the whole experience feel personal
• Plenty of “try it, then talk” energy, with time to ask questions and learn by tasting

Finding the tasting room on Rue Marcadet in Montmartre

Your best bet is to head to 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. The front store is green and made of wood, which makes it easier to spot than you might expect in a neighborhood full of side streets.

This matters because Montmartre is famous for getting scenic and confusing at the same time. A clear meeting point helps you arrive calm, ready, and not hunting around while your stomach is already doing the countdown.

The 2-hour flow: what you’ll do, and why it works

This is a straight-up tasting session: about two hours in one place, guided the whole way. You’ll taste 8 French cheeses and pair them with 5 French wines (including one sparkling), with fresh water on hand.

What I like about this format is the pacing. Two hours is long enough to taste differences across multiple styles of cheese and then compare what the wine changes. It’s short enough that you can still enjoy the rest of your Montmartre day without turning the afternoon into a food coma.

In practice, you’ll move through the cheeses one by one while the host talks you through what you’re tasting and why the pairing works. You’re not just asked to guess. You learn a framework: how aroma, texture, and intensity behave when wine hits the same mouthful.

Who Max is (and why the hosting style matters)

This is hosted by Max, and that’s not a small detail. In this kind of tasting, the guide can either turn it into a classroom lecture or keep it moving like a great conversation with someone who loves the subject.

Max’s style shows up again and again: he’s funny, welcoming, and he answers questions while keeping the group involved. One repeated theme is that he builds rapport fast. Even if you’re not the type who reads cheese labels for fun, he makes you feel included in the tasting.

Another smart touch: he uses a map to show the locations and relative size of French cheese regions. That helps your brain connect the flavors to geography, instead of treating each cheese as an isolated “mystery bite.”

Eight cheeses in one session: how the variety teaches you faster

Tasting 8 cheeses sounds like a lot, and it is. But it’s also exactly why the experience is effective.

If you taste just one or two cheeses, it’s easy to miss what makes French cheese special: the diversity. With 8, you’re forced to notice:

• How different milk types and aging styles shift texture
• How saltiness and creaminess change with each pairing
• How strong flavors can overpower a bad match, or become smoother with the right wine

You’ll get a sense of the range within French cheese culture, not just one style. And because each cheese is paired with a specific wine, you’re training your palate on cause and effect.

A bonus: learning about cheesemaking along the way makes the tasting stick. The host shares the secrets behind the art of French cheesemaking in a way that feels accessible, so the “why” lands, not just the “what.”

Wine pairing strategy: what to watch for in each pour

The wine program here is 5 French wines, carefully paired with the cheeses, and it includes one sparkling. That sparkling detail is more than a nice-to-have. Sparkling wine often helps reset your palate, so the next cheese doesn’t taste like leftover wine from the previous round.

Here’s how to think about what you’re learning while you taste:

• Strong cheeses tend to need wines that can stand up to them.
• Lighter cheeses often benefit from wines that don’t overpower their aroma.
• When pairing works, you notice the flavors stop fighting and start cooperating.

You’ll also hear practical pairing rules, including one that came up clearly in conversations: don’t automatically assume red wine is the right match for every cheese. The fun part is that you taste the evidence, then the rule makes sense.

One more detail from the experience: there can be a natural wine selection in the mix. That’s useful to know because natural wines can taste a bit more “alive” and unpredictable than what you may be used to. In this setting, that unpredictability becomes educational, not confusing.

The room setup: stone walls, relaxed pace, and real comfort

The tasting takes place in a beautiful, intimate Parisian space with stone walls. That style of room does something practical: it keeps the vibe calm. No big echoing chaos. No constant foot traffic.

That matters because you’re tasting slowly on purpose. You need time for aroma, texture, and flavor to land. A relaxed room makes the learning feel natural instead of forced.

Add in the “small-group” feel, and you get a better chance to ask questions and stay engaged. You’re not watching, you’re participating.

Price and value: what $70 buys in Paris terms

At $70 per person, you might wonder if this is “tourist pricing” or real value. In my view, it’s closer to real value because of what’s included:

• 8 French cheeses (not one board, but a structured tasting)
• 5 French wine pours, including sparkling
• A guided host who explains cheesemaking and pairings
• Fresh water to keep you comfortable
• English instruction throughout

For Paris, the cost makes more sense when you look at it as a two-hour guided food experience with a serious amount of tasting. If you were to buy the same quantity of cheese and wine on your own, you’d quickly spend more without getting the pairing logic, the teaching, and the “try it like this” structure.

Also, the reviews consistently highlight generous portions. Even without focusing on numbers, that’s important: you want your money to turn into real food and drink, not just a sample bite.

Montmartre day planning: when to slot this into your itinerary

Since it’s based in Montmartre, it fits well early or mid-day.

My practical suggestion:

• Do it before a big dinner reservation, so you’re not trying to eat through two heavy meals back-to-back.
• If you plan to walk Montmartre afterward, you’ll be in the neighborhood already, and the tasting gives you a great reason to keep wandering instead of rushing straight to the next “must-see.”

Also, the host typically shares tips and recommendations for the rest of Paris. That’s not just small talk. If you use those suggestions, you’ll often find better value for your remaining time.

Who should book this cheese and wine tasting in Montmartre

This works best if you fit one of these:

• You want a fun, food-forward Paris experience that still teaches something real
• You love trying multiple cheeses and wines in one sitting
• You’re traveling with friends, family, or a small group and want everyone involved
• You want an activity that feels local, not like another line-and-ticket routine

It can also work for people who aren’t sure they like cheese or wine, as long as you’re open-minded about tasting and learning. The experience is designed to keep the session engaging, and Max makes sure the room stays friendly and inclusive.

If you’re the type who drinks zero alcohol, this is likely not your best match, since wine is a core part of the tasting (5 pours). If you’re sensitive to alcohol or prefer not to drink, you might find it hard to fully enjoy the pairing concept.

Should you book this wine and cheese tasting with Max?

Yes, if you want a high-value, low-stress Paris afternoon in Montmartre with real pairings and a host who turns the subject into conversation. The combination of 8 cheeses, 5 wines (sparkling included), and Max’s teaching style makes it feel worth the time and the money.

I’d skip it only if you strongly dislike cheese and wine, or if you need an alcohol-free activity. Otherwise, book it early in your Paris trip if you like having tasting-based pairing tips for the rest of your meals.

And when you show up, go with a simple attitude: taste first, ask questions, and let the pairing logic click bite by bite.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tasting?

You’ll meet at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. The front store is green and made of wood.

How long is the cheese and wine tasting?

The experience lasts 2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tasting includes a guided tasting with a local expert, 8 French cheeses, 5 French wines (including one sparkling), and fresh water.

What language is the instructor in?

The instructor speaks English.

Is this a small-group experience?

Yes. It’s described as a small-group tasting, designed to feel relaxed and personal.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. There’s a reserve now & pay later option, so you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.