Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

The best thing about this Montmartre tasting is that it treats cheese and wine as a story, not just a snack. In a cozy stone-walled room at 98 Rue Marcadet, Max guides you through eight French cheeses and five paired wines, including a sparkling wine, with the easy humor of a host who clearly loves his subject. You taste, compare, ask questions, and learn why one wine works with a cheese while another can make it taste flat or harsh.

I like the small-group setting, which gives the session a relaxed, personal feel rather than a factory-line tasting. I also like the generous portions and Max’s practical Paris advice, which can help you choose restaurants, wine bars, and other places to visit after the class. The main caution is simple: there is a lot of cheese and enough wine to make the afternoon pleasantly potent, so this is not the best pick if you dislike dairy, avoid alcohol, or want a light activity.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight French cheeses: Expect a broad tasting rather than one narrow style, with different textures, strengths, and regional character.
• Five French wines: The selection includes a sparkling wine and is chosen to show how pairings change the taste of the cheese.
• Max leads the session: He explains cheesemaking and wine in plain English, with humor, stories, and time for questions.
• A real Montmartre address: The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, marked by a green wooden front store.
• Two hours, with generous servings: The pace is unhurried, but the portions can add up quickly.
• Good value for food lovers: At $70 per person, you receive a guided tasting, eight cheeses, five wines, water, and personal instruction.

Entering the green-fronted shop on Rue Marcadet

You meet at 98 Rue Marcadet in the 18th arrondissement. The useful landmark is the green wooden front store, so keep your eyes open rather than relying only on a street number.

This is not a grand palace room or a formal culinary school. The tasting takes place in an intimate Parisian space with stone walls. That setting matters. It gives the experience a local, unfussy character, and it keeps the focus on the food, the wine, and the conversation.

The address works well as part of a Montmartre day. You can place the tasting before or after a walk through the neighborhood, but remember that the session itself lasts two hours. If you are planning Sacré-Cœur, the Moulin Rouge, or a full hilltop tour on the same afternoon, leave yourself enough breathing room.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the instruction is in English. Since the information provided does not give a precise group limit, you should check the date and booking details if group size is especially important to you. The experience is described as small-group, and the personal atmosphere is one of its main attractions.

How the two-hour tasting unfolds

The session begins with an introduction to French cheese and wine. Max explains what you are tasting and sets up a simple way to approach each pairing. You do not need a trained palate or any previous wine experience. The teaching is designed to be clear and approachable.

You then work through the cheeses and wines in stages. The point is not merely to identify flavors. Max explains how the cheese is made, where it comes from, and what makes its taste or texture different from the next sample. A map may be used to show the location and size of French regions, giving the tasting a stronger sense of place.

That regional context is useful. French cheese can seem like a blur of unfamiliar names in a shop window. Once you connect a cheese to a particular part of the country and a particular method of production, it becomes easier to remember and choose later.

The wine pairings give the class its practical edge. You taste the cheese with the recommended wine and notice how the combination works. A pairing can soften a salty bite, bring out a creamy texture, or change the balance of a strong cheese. The lesson is more useful than a list of rigid rules because you learn to pay attention to your own taste.

One especially helpful point is that red wine is not automatically the right partner for cheese. A tasting like this can show why some cheeses work better with white wine, sparkling wine, or another style. You leave with ideas you can use at a Paris restaurant, a market, or a wine shop.

Eight cheeses, from familiar to challenging

The exact cheese menu is not fixed in the supplied details, so you should not book this expecting a published list of names. What is clear is that you receive eight French cheeses selected to show variety.

That number is generous for a two-hour session. You should expect different textures and levels of intensity, rather than eight versions of the same soft cheese. The selection is intended to make the wine pairings meaningful, so some cheeses may be gentle and creamy while others are more assertive.

This is where the experience can be more rewarding than simply ordering a cheese plate. On a restaurant menu, you may taste a cheese without knowing how to place it. Here, Max gives you the background and encourages you to compare one sample with another.

Some of the backstories can be earthy. One account joked that certain explanations were enough to make the stomach turn. That is part of the fun, but it also gives you a fair warning: French cheese is not all mild Brie and familiar chèvre. If you enjoy strong flavors, this variety will likely be a plus. If you are cautious with pungent cheese, keep an open mind and use the water provided between tastes.

Several people found the servings generous, and one person noted that there was a lot of cheese. I would plan this as a substantial food experience, not as a quick appetizer before dinner. You may want to keep your evening meal simple, especially if you tend to feel full after dairy.

Five wines and the logic behind each pairing

The wine portion includes five French wines, one of them sparkling. That gives you a useful range of styles and makes the tasting feel like a guided lesson rather than a single wine with a few bites of cheese.

The wines are selected to support the cheese, not to compete with it. Max explains the reasons behind the pairings and points out when a wine changes the flavor of the cheese. This is the sort of detail that helps you order with more confidence later.

The sparkling wine is a welcome addition because it breaks up the still wines and adds a different texture to the tasting. It also gives you a chance to see how bubbles affect creamy or salty food. The experience information lists five wines, while one account described four glasses during the pairing. The safest expectation is five wine selections, not five large, separate glasses.

Pours are described as generous. That is good value, but it means you should pace yourself. Fresh water is included, and you should use it. If you are sensitive to alcohol, have a proper meal earlier in the day and do not schedule a demanding activity immediately afterward.

A natural wine may appear in the selection. One tasting included a natural wine and made a point of explaining that this style can be unpredictable. That is a useful, honest lesson. Natural wine is not always as polished or familiar as conventional wine, and part of the experience is deciding what you like rather than being told what you should like.

Max makes the lesson feel social

The strongest feature here is Max himself. He teaches with stories, humor, and plenty of interaction. His explanations are detailed but easy to follow, and he makes an effort to include everyone at the table.

That balance is important. A wine class can become a lecture, while a casual tasting can leave you with little useful information. Max appears to land between the two. You get facts about cheese, wine, agriculture, and French culture, but the mood remains friendly and relaxed.

He also answers questions rather than rushing through a preset speech. If you want to know why a cheese smells a certain way, how regions differ, or what to order elsewhere in Paris, this format gives you room to ask.

The social side is a real part of the value. A mixed group can begin as strangers and end up chatting like old friends. The small setting suits couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over food. It also works for a private-feeling afternoon without the cost of booking a fully private class.

Max often shares suggestions for dining, bars, and other Paris activities. Those tips are not the main product, but they can be useful early in your stay. For that reason, I would place this experience near the beginning of a Paris visit if your schedule allows. You can use the food and drink advice for the rest of the trip.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, this is not a bargain snack. It is a two-hour food and wine class with eight cheeses, five French wines, water, and a host who provides instruction and conversation.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want to sample cheese, a market or shop will cost less. If you want to understand what you are tasting, compare pairings, and enjoy a hosted social activity, the price is more reasonable.

The generous servings make the calculation better. This is enough food that you may not need a large meal right afterward. You are also paying for selection and explanation, not only for the ingredients. A good cheesemonger can save you from buying an expensive cheese or wine that does not suit your taste.

The experience has a five-star rating based on 470 reviews, with repeated praise for the host, the quality of the food and wine, the portions, and the amount learned. The praise is unusually consistent, but you should still consider the format honestly. If you prefer a quiet tasting with little conversation, Max’s lively approach may feel like too much. If you enjoy a funny, outgoing teacher, it is likely to be a strong fit.

Practical tips for a smoother tasting

Arrive at the green wooden storefront at 98 Rue Marcadet and allow yourself time to find the address. The supplied information does not provide a separate transport plan or exact start times, so check availability when choosing your date.

Eat lightly beforehand, but do not arrive hungry. The combination of eight cheeses and several wine pours is substantial, and a small meal earlier will help you enjoy the tasting without feeling overwhelmed.

Use the water between samples. Take your time with the stronger cheeses, and do not feel obliged to pretend that every style is your favorite. The useful lesson is learning what you like.

Crackers or biscuits are not listed among the inclusions. One person specifically wished they had been provided, so do not assume they are part of the service. Fresh water is included, while the published inclusions do not promise bread or crackers.

If you want to buy wine afterward, ask Max for suggestions. One person found the wine available for purchase reasonably priced, but buying bottles is not listed as an included part of the experience.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the session is conducted in English.

Who should book this Montmartre tasting?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants food culture explained in a friendly way. It is especially good for couples, small groups of friends, families with adult children, and solo visitors who enjoy a social table.

You do not need to be a wine expert. In fact, beginners may get the most from it because Max explains the basics without making the session feel like an exam. Cheese lovers will be happy, but even people who are unsure about cheese or wine can take part in the conversation and sample at their own pace.

It may be less suitable for someone with a dairy intolerance, someone who does not drink alcohol, or anyone looking for a low-key stop between major sights. The portions are ample, the host is energetic, and the tasting asks you to give two hours of attention.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want more than a pretty cheese plate. You will get a substantial tasting, useful lessons about French regions and pairings, and a warm host who adds plenty of humor. The setting is intimate, the location fits naturally into a Montmartre day, and $70 is fair for the amount of food, wine, and personal guidance.

I would book it early in your Paris stay, especially if you want Max’s restaurant and bar suggestions to shape the rest of your visit. Skip it only if you dislike generous servings, strong cheese, alcohol, or lively instruction. For most food-curious visitors, this is the sort of two-hour break that can become one of the trip’s most memorable afternoons.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

The tasting takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. The front store is green and made of wood, which helps you identify the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

How many cheeses are included?

You receive a selection of eight French cheeses, each chosen to offer a different flavor or texture.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes five French wines, including one sparkling wine. The wine is selected to pair with the cheeses.

Who leads the tasting?

The tasting is led by Max from EATCHEESEWITHMAX. He teaches in English and explains French cheesemaking and wine pairings.

Is the activity conducted in English?

Yes. English is the listed language for the instruction.

Is the tasting wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.