Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

Cheese can explain a lot about France. This two-hour tasting in Montmartre brings you into an intimate stone-walled space for eight French cheeses and five French wines, including a sparkling pour. I especially like the personal hosting from Max and the generous portions described by many attendees. I also like that the session links food to French regions, farming, and tradition instead of treating the tasting as a string of unexplained bites.

The main consideration is simple: this is a lot of cheese and wine in two hours. One person noted that there was a lot of cheese, and another warned you may get tipsy from the generous pours. If you want a light snack or dislike group tasting activities, plan accordingly.

Key points to know before booking

• Max is the heart of the experience: He teaches with humor, warmth, stories, maps, and plenty of time for questions.
• Eight cheeses make this a serious tasting: Portions are described as generous, so arrive hungry but not stuffed.
• Five French wines provide broad variety: The selection includes one sparkling wine, with pairings designed to show how flavors change together.
• The setting feels local and intimate: Look for the green wooden front at 98 Rue Marcadet in the 18th arrondissement.
• It works well early in your Paris stay: Max is known for sharing suggestions about places to eat, drink, and visit around the city.
• The price is $70 per person: For two hours of guided tasting, this is good value if you enjoy both cheese and wine.

Arriving at 98 Rue Marcadet in Montmartre

The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. The most useful arrival clue is the storefront itself: the front is green and made of wood. Keep that detail handy, since it is more useful than simply searching for a generic wine bar in the area.

You are meeting in Montmartre, a part of Paris known for its steep streets, artists, cafés, and village-like corners. The tasting is not described as a walking tour, so do not expect a guided circuit of Sacré-Coeur or the surrounding streets. Instead, it gives you a comfortable indoor break that fits nicely into a day spent exploring the neighborhood.

I would schedule this activity in the middle of your Montmartre day or early in your Paris visit. You can walk through the area before or after, and Max may give you useful ideas for the rest of your trip. Several attendees specifically appreciated his recommendations for restaurants, bars, and other things to do.

The room has stone walls, giving the session an intimate, distinctly Parisian feel. That setting matters. A cheese lesson in a quiet room lets you focus on aroma, texture, and conversation without the rush of a busy restaurant meal.

The opening: a warm welcome from Max

Max is the main reason this tasting feels different from a standard food sampling. His style is funny, outgoing, and relaxed, but the teaching remains clear. He explains French cheese and wine in a way that works even if you know very little about either subject.

The strongest praise centers on his ability to keep the room involved. He uses stories, answers questions, and builds an easy rapport among people who may have arrived as strangers. One small group of eight reportedly left feeling like friends, while another couple had a private-feeling session because they were the only two attendees at that time.

That does not mean every session will be tiny. The experience is advertised as small-group, but the exact number of people can vary. You should expect a social tasting rather than a private lesson unless your booking confirms otherwise.

Max also uses a map to show French regions and explain where cheeses and wines come from. This is a valuable touch. Instead of remembering a list of difficult names, you begin to connect each product with its place, climate, farming practices, and local customs.

Eight French cheeses, from familiar to surprising

The tasting includes eight French cheeses, each chosen for a different flavor. The exact menu is not listed in advance, and that is normal for a cheese session where the selection may change. You might find a mix of textures, ages, milk types, and regional styles, but you should not assume any particular cheese will be served.

The point is variety. Eight samples let you compare soft and firm textures, mild and strong flavors, and cheeses that are easy introductions alongside more challenging bites. One attendee described the cheeses as some of the best they had tasted, while another noted that even the backstories behind certain cheeses could make you gag. That is a good warning for cautious eaters: French cheese can be wonderfully complex, but not every style will suit every palate.

Max explains how cheese is made and why it tastes the way it does. You learn about the production process, the place each cheese comes from, and the traditions linked to it. The details are presented in plain English, so you do not need a food background to follow along.

The portions appear to be more than token samples. Multiple accounts describe generous servings, and one person advised arriving ready for a substantial amount of cheese. Crackers or biscuits may not be included, so do not count on them as part of the spread. Fresh water is included, which is important during a tasting of this size.

Take small bites. Let the cheese sit on your tongue for a moment before reaching for the wine. You will get more from the session if you treat each sample as a comparison rather than racing toward the next one.

Five French wines and the pairing lesson

The wine portion includes five French wines, with one sparkling selection. The wines are chosen to pair with the cheeses and to show how the right combination can change your impression of both.

The published format lists five wines, while one attendee described four glasses during the pairings. Pour sizes and the way wines are grouped may vary, so confirm the current serving format if the exact count matters to you. Either way, this is more than a single glass with a cheese board.

The lesson is not just about deciding if a wine tastes good. Max explains why a particular wine works with a particular cheese. You may notice a cheese become softer, sweeter, sharper, or more balanced after a sip. One attendee said some pairings transformed the cheese, which is exactly the useful takeaway from a tasting like this.

You also get a chance to try wines from different French regions and styles. One person especially enjoyed a natural wine selection, with Max explaining that natural wines can be unpredictable. That kind of honesty is helpful. You are not being told every bottle will appeal to everyone. You are being shown how to pay attention and form your own view.

A sparkling wine gives the tasting a change of pace. It also helps keep the experience from becoming a long run of still wines and heavy cheeses. Fresh water is included, and you should use it between samples.

If you are not a wine drinker, this may still work for you, but alcohol remains central to the activity. The tasting is not designed as a nonalcoholic cheese class. If you avoid alcohol, ask about arrangements before booking.

What the two-hour flow feels like

The session lasts two hours, which is enough time to explain the food and wine without turning the class into a lecture. The exact order is not specified, but the experience is built around a guided progression through the cheese and wine selections.

You can expect Max to introduce the products, explain their origins and production, and then guide you through the pairings. He encourages questions and keeps the tone social. The time can pass quickly because you are listening, tasting, comparing, and chatting at the same time.

The balance between information and fun is one of the best features here. Max is described as entertaining and funny, but the humor does not replace substance. People also praise his clear explanations, regional context, and ability to make complicated ideas easy to understand.

Do not expect a formal sommelier examination or a rigid classroom. This is a friendly food experience. You will learn practical ideas that you can use later in a French shop or restaurant, such as paying attention to texture, intensity, regional pairing traditions, and the way a wine changes a cheese.

The session can also work well for mixed groups. Some attendees arrived with people who were not big fans of cheese or wine and still found the atmosphere enjoyable. That said, the best match is someone who is open to sampling unfamiliar flavors and spending two hours around food and conversation.

Value at $70 per person

At $70 per person, the value depends on how much you want from the experience. You receive a guided lesson, eight cheeses, five French wines, sparkling wine, water, and two hours with a host who does more than pour samples.

Compared with buying eight cheeses and several French wines yourself, the price also covers selection, pairing, instruction, and the chance to ask questions. You avoid guessing which bottle belongs beside which cheese. You also get context that a supermarket label cannot provide.

The portions matter. Several people describe both the wine pours and cheese servings as generous. If those portions remain consistent, this can function as a substantial afternoon activity rather than a quick pre-dinner snack.

There are limits. You are not paying for a full meal, and crackers or biscuits may not be included. You also should not book it if you want a quiet private tasting with no social element. The experience is small-group and conversational, which is part of its appeal but may not suit every mood.

For couples, families with adult children, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, the price looks fair. It is particularly good value for anyone who wants to learn the basics of French cheese and wine without committing to a longer culinary course.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

I would recommend this for:

• First-time visitors who want a friendly introduction to French food
• Cheese lovers who want more than a standard restaurant cheese plate
• Wine drinkers curious about regional French bottles
• Couples looking for a relaxed shared activity
• Small groups who enjoy conversation and humor
• Solo visitors who are comfortable joining a group
• People planning a Montmartre day

You do not need prior knowledge. The explanations are aimed at ordinary visitors, not food professionals. Max’s teaching style makes room for beginners, while the range of cheese and wine should still give experienced tasters something new to consider.

I would be more cautious if you have strict dietary needs, avoid alcohol, or strongly dislike pungent cheese. The available information does not list substitutions or a special nonalcoholic version. Ask before booking rather than hoping the menu can be changed on the spot.

Practical tips for a better afternoon

Book this near the beginning of your Paris stay if you can. Max often shares recommendations for restaurants, bars, and sightseeing, so his local suggestions may help shape the rest of your visit.

Have a light meal earlier, but leave room. Eight cheeses and several wine pours can add up quickly. One attendee advised you to be ready to get tipsy, so avoid treating this as a warm-up before a demanding afternoon of sightseeing.

Wear something comfortable and allow enough time to find the green wooden storefront at 98 Rue Marcadet. You do not want to arrive flustered and miss the welcome or first explanation.

Most importantly, stay curious. A cheese that smells strong may taste gentler than expected. A wine you would not choose from a shelf may work beautifully with the right bite. The value of the tasting is not simply deciding what you like. It is learning why the pairing works.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. The activity is offered in English and is listed as wheelchair accessible. Starting times depend on availability.

Should you book Cheese and Wine Tasting in Montmartre?

Yes, if you want a generous, social, and genuinely useful introduction to French cheese and wine. The strongest reason to book is Max, whose humor, warmth, regional explanations, and easy teaching style turn a simple tasting into a memorable part of your Paris stay.

The food and wine selection also earns its place. Eight cheeses and five wines provide enough variety to make the $70 price reasonable, especially when you value guidance and pairing advice. Just remember that this is a substantial tasting, alcohol is part of the experience, and crackers or biscuits may not be included.

Book it early in your trip, arrive hungry, and plan a gentle walk around Montmartre afterward. If you enjoy French food and want to understand it better, this is an excellent use of two hours.

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 experience last?

The tasting lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many cheeses are included?

You receive a selection of eight French cheeses, each chosen for its distinct flavor.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes five French wines, including one sparkling wine. Some descriptions of the tasting refer to four glasses during the pairings, so serving formats may vary.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The listed language for the instructor and activity is English.

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.