Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

Montmartre has plenty of postcard sights, but this tasting offers something more useful: a seat at the table with eight French cheeses and five wines, guided by Max, a warm and funny local host. He explains each pairing in plain English, so you learn what you are tasting instead of simply eating and drinking your way through a lineup.

I like the generous portions and the relaxed small-group setting. I also like how Max connects cheese and wine to French regions, farming, and food customs, sometimes using a map to show where products come from. One thing to consider: there is a lot of cheese, and the experience is focused on tasting rather than a full meal, so arrive ready to sample slowly.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight cheeses and five wines: The tasting includes a broad range of French styles, plus one sparkling wine.
• Max is the main attraction: His humor, clear explanations, and easy conversation shape the experience.
• A useful Montmartre location: The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, in the green wooden front store.
• Generous servings: You get enough cheese and wine to make the $70 price feel reasonable, especially for a two-hour activity.
• More than a food stop: You learn about French regions, cheese making, pairing methods, and places to eat or drink in Paris.
• Plan your timing: It works especially well near the beginning of your Paris stay, when Max’s city suggestions can help shape the rest of your trip.

Why this Montmartre tasting works so well

The best part of this activity is its simplicity. You sit in an intimate Parisian space with stone walls, a selection of cheese in front of you, and several glasses to taste. Max takes you through the lineup one step at a time, explaining why each cheese tastes the way it does and why a particular wine works beside it.

That format matters. French cheese can seem confusing when you face a counter filled with unfamiliar names, textures, and smells. Here, you get a guided introduction without needing prior experience. Max’s explanations are detailed but easy to follow, and he encourages questions rather than turning the session into a formal lecture.

The setting also helps. This is not a large dining room or a hurried stop between sightseeing visits. The small-group format gives the host time to speak with people individually, answer questions, and keep the conversation moving at a comfortable pace. In one especially small session, two people had a nearly private experience with Max. Group size can vary, but the activity is designed to feel personal.

You should allow the full two hours. The tasting does not appear to be a quick succession of samples. Max takes time with the background of the cheese and wine, and the relaxed pace is part of the appeal.

Meeting Max at 98 Rue Marcadet

The address is 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, in Montmartre. Look for the green wooden front store. That detail is worth remembering because a clear landmark can save you a last-minute search on a busy Paris street.

The tasting is conducted in English, which makes it a practical choice if you want to understand the details rather than simply recognize a few French food words. Max’s style is lively and conversational. He uses humor, stories, and questions to keep the room involved.

Several aspects of his hosting receive repeated praise: he explains complicated subjects clearly, makes mixed groups feel comfortable, and keeps the mood friendly without losing the educational side. Even if you are not a serious food person, you should find the format approachable.

Max also shares suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other things to do in Paris. That makes booking early in your stay a smart move. You can use his local advice for the remaining days of your visit instead of waiting until the last evening.

The first pours: learning how to taste

The experience begins with an introduction to the cheese and wine selection. You are not handed a plate and left to work it out alone. Max describes what is being served and sets up the basic idea behind the pairings.

That guidance is helpful because wine and cheese do not always behave as expected. One useful lesson from the session is that red wine is not automatically the best partner for cheese. The right match may depend on sweetness, acidity, salt, texture, and intensity.

You might notice a cheese changing as you taste it with wine. Some pairings make a cheese seem creamier, sweeter, sharper, or more balanced. Max explains these changes in a direct way, helping you understand the experience with your own palate rather than asking you to accept a set of rules.

The opening wines also give you a sense of the range ahead. The activity includes five French wines, with one sparkling wine among them. Some past tastings have described the wine service as four glasses, so the exact serving format may vary, but the advertised selection is five wines. The pours are described as generous, which is another reason to take your time.

Fresh water is provided. Use it between samples, particularly if you are not used to tasting several wines in one sitting.

Eight French cheeses, from familiar to surprising

The cheese selection is the heart of the activity. You taste eight French cheeses, each chosen for its own flavor and paired with wine to bring out a particular quality.

The point is not just to identify names. Max discusses where the cheeses come from and explains elements of French cheese making. Regional location, production methods, texture, aging, and flavor all become part of the story.

The selection may include cheeses that feel immediately familiar, along with stronger or more unusual examples. One past participant noted that some of the cheese stories were enough to make the room react, so you should expect a few surprises. That is part of the fun, but it also means this is not the ideal activity for someone who only likes mild, predictable cheese.

You do not need to be an expert. Max is used to explaining the subject to people with different levels of interest, and the session includes enough variety for you to discover your own preferences. If a particular cheese is not your favorite, you can still learn why it tastes that way and see how the wine changes it.

There is also plenty of food. Multiple people describe the cheese portions as generous, and one person felt there was a great deal of cheese. I would treat this as a substantial tasting rather than a tiny pre-dinner sample. If you want crackers or biscuits with your cheese, bring that expectation down: they are not listed among the inclusions.

Five French wines and the pairing lesson

The wine component is not an afterthought. Each wine is selected to work with the cheese, and Max explains the reason for the match. You are encouraged to taste the cheese first, then the wine, and notice what changes.

The pairings may challenge simple assumptions. A red wine is not always the best choice for a firm or aged cheese, and a sweeter or sparkling wine can sometimes create a more pleasing balance. The sparkling wine adds a different texture and gives the tasting a change of pace.

A few people particularly enjoyed the natural wine selection. Natural wine can be less predictable in flavor, but that uncertainty makes it a useful teaching tool. Max presents the wines in a way that lets you form your own opinion rather than insisting that every glass must suit every palate.

You should not expect a sommelier exam. The tone is friendly, and the explanations are meant for ordinary visitors who want to understand more. If you are already experienced with wine, you may appreciate the chance to ask more specific questions. If you are new to it, you can simply focus on what you like.

The portions are described as generous, so this is not a tasting where you only wet your lips. Pace yourself. The experience can leave you pleasantly tipsy, especially if you arrive without eating first.

What the two hours feel like

The schedule is not presented as a rigid list of timed stops. Instead, the two hours flow through the cheeses and wines, with Max adding background, pairing advice, and stories as you go.

That relaxed approach is a strength. You have time to ask why a cheese has a particular texture, how a region affects flavor, or what kind of wine you might buy later. The group can also chat with one another, which helps turn a collection of strangers into a shared table.

The pace does mean you should not plan another tightly timed attraction immediately afterward. Montmartre is a good area for a slower afternoon, and you can continue walking nearby once the tasting ends. Give yourself room to browse, take in the neighborhood, or stop for another drink if you still have energy.

This is also a social activity. It suits couples, families with adult children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over food. The host works to include everyone, even those who are unsure about cheese or wine.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value depends on how you use the experience. You receive eight cheeses, five French wines, water, two hours of instruction, and a small-group setting. With generous portions and a host who adds regional and cultural context, the price is fair for Paris.

You are paying for more than the food. A shop visit might let you buy excellent cheese and wine, but it would not give you the same guidance about how to taste them together. A standard meal might cost a similar amount, but it would not explain the production methods or regional differences.

The price is less appealing if you want a full dinner or dislike structured tastings. Cheese lovers should find plenty to eat, but this is still a tasting experience, not a multi-course restaurant meal. You may want a light meal before or after, depending on your appetite.

The generous servings improve the value. You are not paying for a decorative plate with tiny fragments. At the same time, generous wine pours make pacing important. Fresh water is included, but you should avoid treating the session like a race through the glasses.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you fit one of these descriptions:

• You want a food activity that teaches you something about France.
• You like cheese but want to understand regional styles and pairings.
• You are curious about French wine without wanting a formal or intimidating class.
• You prefer a small-group activity to a large sightseeing tour.
• You are visiting Paris early in your stay and would use local suggestions from Max.
• You enjoy hosts who tell stories, make jokes, and invite conversation.

It also works for people who do not know much about cheese or wine. Max explains the subject in accessible language, and the mood is relaxed rather than solemn.

I would think twice if you dislike strong cheese, do not drink alcohol, or want a large meal. The listing does not specify nonalcoholic substitutions, so you should ask before booking if that matters to you. Wheelchair access is listed, and English is the stated language.

Practical tips for a better afternoon

Book this near the start of your Paris visit if possible. Max shares ideas for restaurants, bars, and other activities, and those suggestions are more useful when you still have several days ahead.

Eat lightly beforehand. The cheese portions are generous, and the wine pours can add up. Arrive ready to taste at a slow pace, and drink the fresh water provided.

Write down the names of the cheeses and wines you enjoy most. One participant bought wine afterward at a reasonable price, so you may find yourself wanting to take a bottle home. Having the name or style written down will make that easier.

If you are exploring Montmartre on the same day, plan the tasting as the center of your afternoon rather than squeezing it between two timed attractions. The address is near one of Paris’s most enjoyable neighborhoods for wandering, but the activity itself deserves your full two hours.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Paris schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Montmartre cheese and wine tasting?

Yes, if you want a friendly, educational food experience rather than a quick sampling stop. The combination of eight cheeses, five wines, useful pairing advice, generous portions, and Max’s engaging hosting makes this a strong use of two hours in Paris.

The main caution is simple: there is a lot of cheese and a fair amount of wine. If that sounds like a good afternoon, book it. If you prefer a formal gourmet meal, a quiet museum visit, or a tasting with only mild cheeses, choose something else.

For most visitors, I would schedule it early in the trip, arrive hungry but not empty-stomached, and let the rest of the day unfold around Montmartre.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $70 per person.

How many cheeses are included?

You taste eight French cheeses.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes five French wines, including one sparkling wine.

Is water provided?

Yes. Fresh water is included.

What language is the tasting conducted in?

The instructor and tasting are in English.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair accessibility is listed for this activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying on the day of reservation.