Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

French cheese and wine make a fine Paris lesson, but this tasting adds something better: a host who keeps the subject lively. Max guides you through eight French cheeses and five wines, including a sparkling wine, in a small, stone-walled space near Montmartre. The pairings are selected to show how a sip can change the taste of a bite.

I like the generous portions and the clear, funny teaching. I also like that Max uses maps, regional stories, and practical Paris tips, so this feels like more than a plate of samples. The one caution is simple: there is a lot of cheese, and the wine pours are generous enough that you should plan the rest of your day with care.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight cheeses, five French wines: The tasting covers a broad range of flavors, with one sparkling wine included.
• Max makes the class personal: Expect stories, questions, humor, and plain explanations rather than a stiff lecture.
• Montmartre location: The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, at the green wooden front store.
• Two hours with generous servings: This is closer to a substantial snack or light meal than a tiny sample session.
• A useful early-trip activity: Max shares Paris dining and nightlife suggestions, which can help shape the rest of your stay.
• Accessible and flexible booking: The experience is wheelchair accessible, conducted in English, and allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

A two-hour lesson in French taste

This experience works because it treats cheese and wine as food, culture, and conversation all at once. You are not simply handed a plate and left to guess what you are eating. Max explains what makes each cheese different, where it comes from, and why a particular wine works beside it.

The format is relaxed. You sit in an intimate Parisian room with stone walls, taste at a comfortable pace, and have time to ask questions. The setting sounds less like a formal schoolroom and more like a friendly food shop with a very talkative host.

That relaxed tone matters. Cheese and wine can feel intimidating if you do not know the vocabulary. Max explains the basics in English and keeps the information easy to follow. You can ask why a cheese smells strong, how a wine changes its flavor, or what makes one pairing work better than another.

The full tasting lasts two hours. That gives the session enough time to cover eight cheeses and five wines without turning every bite into a rushed technical exercise. It also means you should not book it immediately before an important dinner unless you are happy with a very full appetite.

Meeting Max at 98 Rue Marcadet

The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. Look for the green wooden front store. That detail is useful because a small food venue can be easy to miss when you are walking through an unfamiliar Paris neighborhood.

The address puts you in Montmartre, a good part of Paris for combining food with a walk. You can make the tasting one piece of a Montmartre day, but keep your schedule sensible. Two hours of cheese and wine is the main event here, not a quick stop between sights.

Max is the central ingredient. His style comes through clearly in the feedback: funny, warm, outgoing, and happy to answer questions. He has hosted more than 3,000 people over two years and carries a five-star rating from 470 reviews, but the more useful point is how consistently people describe the atmosphere. The class is engaging rather than solemn.

You might expect a wine tasting to be quiet and formal. This one is more social. Max creates a connection among the group, and several people describe leaving with new friends. That makes the experience a good fit for couples, families, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over food.

Eight cheeses with distinct personalities

The cheese selection is the heart of the tasting. Eight varieties give you enough range to compare texture, strength, age, and style. The exact names are not provided in the booking details, so you should not expect a fixed published menu. That can be a plus if you enjoy discovery, though anyone with strict food preferences may want to ask about the selection before booking.

Max gives each cheese context. You learn about the region it comes from, the way it is made, and the details that shape its flavor. One person described using a map to show the size and location of French regions, which is a useful touch. France can look small on a map, but its cheese traditions vary greatly from one area to another.

This regional focus gives the food meaning. A cheese is not just soft, hard, mild, or pungent. It is tied to farming, local methods, and French food customs. You begin to see why a cheese from one part of the country behaves differently from one made elsewhere.

The portions are generous. Several people specifically noted that there was plenty of cheese, and one person joked that there was a lot of it. Come hungry, but do not assume the tasting is built around crackers or biscuits. They are not listed among the inclusions, and one comment specifically suggested adding them.

That is not a serious flaw, but it is worth knowing. The emphasis is on the cheese itself and its pairing with wine, not on building elaborate little bites with bread, fruit, and condiments.

Five wines, including a sparkling pour

Five French wines accompany the cheese, with one sparkling wine included. The point is not to sample five unrelated glasses. Each wine is chosen to bring out a different side of the cheese.

A good pairing can make a cheese seem creamier, sharper, sweeter, or more balanced. The tasting gives you a chance to notice that change rather than simply accepting a host’s claim. Some people described the wine and cheese as transforming each other, which is exactly the lesson a pairing class should deliver.

The wine selection may include a natural wine. One participant singled out a natural wine as a favorite while noting that this style can be unpredictable. If you already enjoy wines made with a less polished or less standard character, that could be a highlight. If you prefer familiar, highly consistent wines, approach that part with an open mind.

The pours are described as generous. That helps explain why the experience feels like good value at $70 per person, but it also means alcohol is a real part of the afternoon. Fresh water is included, and you should use it. You should also avoid planning a demanding activity immediately afterward.

The pairings may challenge habits you thought were fixed. One person left with the lesson that red wine should not automatically be the first choice for cheese. You do not need to accept every rule as absolute, but the class should help you understand why a certain wine may work better than the obvious choice.

What Max teaches about French cheesemaking

The educational side is strong without requiring prior knowledge. Max explains how French cheese is made and shares the small details that affect taste. His approach is practical, not packed with technical terms for their own sake.

You learn how to pay attention. Look at the texture. Notice the smell before tasting. Take a small bite, then try it with the wine. See what changes. Those simple steps can make you more confident in a cheese shop or restaurant later in your trip.

The regional explanations also connect food with French culture. The session introduces farming traditions, local identity, and the importance of food in everyday life. That is why this works well as a first or second day activity. You gain useful context before visiting markets, ordering a cheese plate, or shopping for food to take home.

Max also gives advice about places to eat and drink in Paris. That is not a formal part of the food lesson, but it adds practical value. If you schedule the tasting early in your stay, you can use those suggestions for the rest of your visit.

Why the small-group format helps

The small-group setup is one of the best parts of the experience. You have room to ask questions, and Max can respond to different tastes and comfort levels. The session does not depend on everyone knowing the same amount about wine.

This also helps if someone in your group is uncertain about cheese or wine. One participant said even people who did not like either had a good time. That does not mean every sample will suit every palate, but Max’s humor and approach keep the class welcoming.

The group can be as small as two people in some sessions, according to one account. That creates a personal feel, though the exact group size can vary. If you want a private class, do not assume it is private unless the booking details specifically say so.

The social side is worth considering. If you want a quiet, self-guided tasting, this may feel too interactive. If you like conversation and a host who keeps the room moving, the format should suit you well.

Value at $70 per person

At $70, this is not the cheapest way to eat cheese in Paris. You can buy bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine for less. But that comparison misses the teaching, the five wine pairings, the eight cheeses, and the time with a specialist host.

The value is strongest if you want to learn as you taste. You are paying for a guided experience, not just ingredients. The generous servings make the price more appealing, especially if the tasting replaces a light meal.

The value is also practical. A good host can help you avoid guesswork later. You may leave with a better sense of what to order, how to compare regions, and which wines to pair with different cheeses. The added Paris dining tips can save you from choosing dinner at random.

I would not book it solely for a cheap snack. I would book it for an entertaining lesson with enough food and drink to feel substantial. That distinction helps set the right expectation.

Who should book this tasting

This is a strong choice for first-time visitors who want a friendly introduction to French food. It also suits repeat visitors who have seen the major sights and want a more local, table-based activity.

Couples and small groups will find it easy to enjoy together. Solo visitors should also feel comfortable because the social setup gives you a natural way to meet people. Families can consider it too, but remember that the activity includes five wines and is built around adult tasting.

You do not need to be a wine expert. In fact, beginners may get the most from Max’s clear explanations. People who already know a great deal about French wine may still enjoy the regional stories and unusual pairings, but the teaching is designed to be accessible.

You should think twice if you dislike strong cheese, want a full meal with several courses, or do not drink alcohol. The experience is generous, but it cannot be customized from the information provided.

Timing, access, and booking details

The tasting lasts two hours and is offered at set starting times, so check availability before planning your Montmartre walk. It is conducted in English, and the experience is wheelchair accessible.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Paris schedule is still changing. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but do not wait until the last minute during a busy visit.

The most useful planning tip is to book it near the beginning of your Paris stay. Max’s suggestions for restaurants and bars can shape your later choices, and the cheese lesson will make markets and menus easier to understand.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want more than a standard food stop. The strongest reasons are Max’s warm teaching style, the generous selection, and the way the pairings show French food as something to understand rather than simply consume.

The main drawback is the amount of cheese and wine. This is not a quick nibble, and the lack of listed crackers or biscuits may disappoint anyone expecting a heavily decorated tasting board. Still, at $70, the two-hour format, eight cheeses, five wines, and personal guidance make it a solid value for most food-loving visitors.

Book it early in your Paris stay, arrive ready to taste, and leave room in your schedule afterward. If you want an entertaining introduction to French cheese, wine, and everyday food culture in Montmartre, this is a very sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts two hours.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste eight French cheeses.

How many wines are included?

Five French wines are included, including one sparkling wine.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The instructor and tasting are in English.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What is included besides the cheese and wine?

A local expert leads the tasting, and fresh water is provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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