Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

The best part of this Montmartre experience is the way Max turns a plate of cheese into a tour of France. You taste eight cheeses and five wines, but you also learn how region, milk, aging, and winemaking change what lands in your glass and on your fork. The pairings are the main event, not a few token bites beside a drink.

I like the small-group feel and the generous portions. Max is funny, warm, and clear, so the session feels social without becoming a loud party. I also like that the tasting takes place in an intimate stone-walled space rather than a grand, polished dining room. You get a more personal lesson in French food.

The one thing to consider is the amount of food and alcohol. Eight cheeses and five wines over two hours is substantial, and several people found the portions generous. Eat lightly beforehand, pace yourself, and remember that this is a tasting class, not a quick aperitif.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight cheeses and five French wines: The tasting covers a broad range of flavors, with one sparkling wine included.
• Max leads the session: His approach mixes clear instruction, humor, stories, and practical advice about Paris.
• A real lesson in pairing: You compare how wine changes the taste of each cheese rather than simply sampling them separately.
• An intimate Montmartre setting: The green wooden storefront at 98 Rue Marcadet opens onto a stone-walled tasting space.
• Good value for a two-hour activity: At $70 per person, the generous servings and guided instruction make this more than a basic snack stop.
• Plan for a full tasting: The food and wine are plentiful, so this works best when you are not rushing to another meal.

Why this tasting works better than a basic cheese plate

Paris offers no shortage of places to order cheese and wine. The problem is that a restaurant plate rarely explains what you are eating. You may enjoy a soft cheese, a hard cheese, and a glass of red, but you leave without knowing why one pairing worked and another tasted flat.

Here, Max gives each item a role. You taste a cheese, try it with the selected wine, and pay attention to the change. A pairing can bring out sweetness, salt, creaminess, fruit, or acidity that you might miss on its own.

That makes the experience useful beyond the two hours. You can return to a Paris wine shop with a better idea of what you like. You can order cheese with more confidence. You may even stop assuming that red wine is always the right partner for cheese. One participant specifically came away with that lesson, and it is a worthwhile correction to a common habit.

The session also gives you a basic map of French food culture. The cheeses come from different parts of France, and Max uses regional maps and stories to explain where they are made. You are not expected to know French regions or winemaking terms in advance. His explanations are designed for ordinary people who want to understand what they are tasting.

Entering the green storefront on Rue Marcadet

The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, in the 18th arrondissement. Look for the green wooden front store. That detail matters because a tasting room can be easy to miss on a Paris street, especially if you are arriving for the first time.

The address puts the activity in Montmartre, making it easy to combine with a day in the neighborhood. You can plan the tasting before or after seeing the area, but allow enough time to arrive calmly. The activity itself lasts two hours, and arriving rushed would work against the relaxed mood.

Inside, the setting is intimate, with stone walls that give the room a traditional French feel. It is not presented as a grand museum or formal culinary school. That is part of its appeal. You sit close enough to hear the explanations and take part in the conversation.

The space is listed as wheelchair accessible. English is the teaching language, which makes the session suitable for visitors who want detailed explanations without having to translate technical food terms.

How the two-hour tasting unfolds

The session begins with an introduction to the cheeses and wines, followed by guided tasting. Exact order can vary, but the basic rhythm is clear: Max presents an item, explains its background and character, and then shows you how it works with the accompanying wine.

You taste eight French cheeses in total. That number is enough to show real contrast without turning the activity into a single repetitive plate. You might find differences in texture, strength, age, and aroma from one sample to the next. The point is not only to decide which cheese you prefer, but to notice how each one behaves with wine.

Five French wines are included, with one sparkling wine among them. The selection is designed to match the cheeses and bring out particular flavors. Several participants singled out the pairings as a strength, especially when a wine seemed to change the cheese in the mouth.

The wines are not presented as decoration. Max explains what to notice and why the match works. He also discusses the less obvious side of pairing, including cases where a familiar red wine may not be the best choice. If you normally order one red for every cheese, this class may give you a few new rules to test.

The tasting has enough room for questions. Max answers them in plain language rather than burying you in technical terms. That helps if your group includes people with different levels of interest. A serious food fan can ask detailed questions, while a beginner can simply enjoy the flavors and follow the story.

Meeting Max, the person who shapes the experience

The food matters, but Max is the reason this activity feels like a class instead of a formal presentation. He combines cheese and wine facts with jokes, stories, and recommendations for the rest of your time in Paris.

His style is energetic but not rushed. Several people appreciated that he took time with questions and made sure the entire group could follow along. He also creates conversation between people who may have arrived as strangers. One group of eight reportedly left feeling like friends, which says a lot about the social side of the session.

Max has hosted more than 3,000 people over the past two years and has an overall five-star rating from 470 reviews. Those numbers do not guarantee that every group will have the same mood, but they do point to an established host with a practiced format.

His advice can also continue after the tasting. He has shared suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other places to visit in Paris. For that reason, I would consider booking this early in your stay. You may leave with useful food and drink ideas for the rest of your trip, rather than hearing them on your final afternoon.

The cheese portions and wine pours

At $70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to have cheese in Paris. It is also not simply a light snack. The price includes eight cheeses, five wines, fresh water, and two hours of instruction in a small setting.

The portions are repeatedly described as generous. That is good news for value, but it also affects how you plan your day. Some people found there was a lot of cheese, so do not schedule a large meal immediately afterward unless you have a very strong appetite.

The amount of wine matters too. Five pours can leave you feeling tipsy, especially if you are not used to drinking during the day. Water is provided, and you should use it. Eat something beforehand, take your time, and do not treat the tasting as a race.

One practical point is worth noting: the supplied details do not promise crackers or biscuits. One person wished there had been some, while others were perfectly happy with the cheese portions as served. If you strongly prefer cheese with crackers, ask about the setup when booking rather than assuming they are included.

The experience can also appeal to people who are unsure about cheese or wine. Max keeps the mood light, and the tasting format lets you try a range of styles without committing to a full serving. Still, someone who dislikes both cheese and wine may find the two-hour focus too narrow.

What makes the pairings memorable

A good pairing does more than put two enjoyable things on the same table. It changes your perception of at least one of them. A salty cheese may seem softer with a particular wine. A sharp cheese may need freshness or sweetness beside it. A sparkling wine can bring a different energy to the opening of a tasting.

Max explains these effects as you go, so you do not need a trained palate. You can simply notice what happens before and after the sip. That direct comparison is more useful than a list of tasting notes.

The wine selection may include a natural wine, according to the details shared by one participant. Natural wine can be unpredictable, and Max apparently treats that as part of the lesson rather than hiding it. If you enjoy trying less conventional bottles, this adds interest. If you prefer familiar, polished styles every time, the selection may feel less predictable.

The cheeses also come with stories about their regions and production. Max explains the basics of French cheesemaking and the choices that shape the finished product. You learn why a cheese has its texture or aroma, not just what its name is.

Some of the backstories may be stronger than the flavors. One person enjoyed the stories but admitted that a few made them feel uneasy. That is a reminder that traditional food production can be earthy and direct. If you prefer a completely mild, sanitized introduction to cheese, this may be more frank than expected.

Who should book this Montmartre activity

I would recommend it to couples, families with adult children, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people around food. It also works well for a mixed group because you can enjoy the social side even if your cheese knowledge is limited.

It is especially useful for:

• First-time visitors who want a clear introduction to French food
• People who enjoy wine but want to understand pairings better
• Cheese lovers looking for regional variety
• Couples seeking a relaxed afternoon activity
• Anyone who wants Paris dining suggestions from a local host
• Visitors who prefer a small, conversational setting over a large tour

The activity may be less suitable if you want a walking tour of Montmartre. You meet in the neighborhood, but the main event happens indoors at the tasting space. It is also not ideal if you need a quick stop between major sights. Two hours is enough time to settle in, taste carefully, and ask questions, but not enough for a hurried visit.

The activity is in English, so it suits English-speaking visitors particularly well. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful for anyone checking access before booking.

When to fit it into your Paris plans

The best timing depends on how you like to eat. I would place it in the afternoon or early evening, with no heavy meal directly before or after. It can serve as a substantial food stop rather than an appetizer.

Booking near the start of your Paris stay has another advantage. Max often shares restaurant, bar, and neighborhood suggestions, and you can use them during the following days. You also gain a better sense of French cheese and wine before ordering elsewhere.

A Montmartre day pairs naturally with the tasting because you are already in the 18th arrondissement. Plan your walking route around the fixed two-hour start time rather than trying to squeeze the tasting into a packed sightseeing schedule.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Paris plans are still changing. Check the available start times when choosing your date.

Final verdict: is the $70 price worth it?

I think this is good value if you want instruction, conversation, and a generous tasting rather than only a glass of wine and a few bites. Eight cheeses and five wines give you enough range to make the differences clear, while Max adds the context that turns eating into learning.

Book it if you enjoy food stories, want a friendly host, or are unsure how to order French cheese and wine on your own. Book early in your trip if you want to use Max’s Paris suggestions afterward.

Skip it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike cheese, or want your Montmartre time spent entirely outdoors. For everyone else, this is a relaxed and practical way to spend two hours, with plenty to taste and several ideas to carry into 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. The front store is green and made of wood.

How long does the activity last?

The tasting lasts two hours.

How many cheeses are included?

You taste eight French cheeses.

How many wines are included?

Five French wines are included, including one sparkling wine.

Is water provided?

Yes, fresh water is included.

Who leads the tasting?

The tasting is led by Max from EATCHEESEWITHMAX.

What language is the tasting in?

The instructor and activity language are English.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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