A cheese flight in Paris that feels personal and fun. You’ll try 8 French cheeses matched with 5 French wines in an intimate, stone-walled space in Montmartre. I love that it’s not a rushed lecture, and I love that the pairings are explained in plain language you can actually use later. One thing to consider: this is very wine-forward, so plan your evening like you’re leaving with a buzz.

The experience is led by Max, a warm host who mixes humor with practical lessons about cheesemaking and pairings. You get enough variety to learn what matters (milk type, aging, texture, and how wine changes your perception), not just a tasting checklist. The main drawback is simple: with so many samples in 2 hours, you’ll want to pace yourself if you’re sensitive to alcohol or strong flavors.

Key Takeaways Before You Go

• 8 cheeses in one session so you can compare styles, not just “try cheese”
• 5 wine pairings (including one sparkling pour) built to highlight what you’re tasting
• Max’s small-group energy keeps it relaxed and question-friendly
• Cheesemaking and pairing lessons connect the flavors to where they come from in France
• Generous portions mean this isn’t a tiny “nibble and sip” stop

Cheese and Wine in Montmartre, the Way France Actually Tastes

Montmartre gets crowded fast, but this tasting is a breather. Instead of sprinting from viewpoint to viewpoint, you slow down and focus on what matters: flavor, smell, texture, and how a good wine pairing changes the whole experience.

What makes it genuinely satisfying is the structure. You’re not just handed cheese plates. You go cheese by cheese, wine by wine, with explanations along the way. Max talks in a clear, human way, and he keeps the room moving at a pace that feels friendly, not forced. Several people highlight that the two hours “flew by,” which usually means one thing: the flow is well judged.

I also like that the vibe is local. The space is described as intimate and authentic, with stone walls that help the tasting feel like a real workshop. And since it’s in English, you don’t have to guess what’s happening while you’re tasting.

Finding the Place: 98 Rue Marcadet, Green and Wooden

Location matters on this one, because you want to arrive calm. Your meeting point is 98 RUE MARCADET 75018 PARIS. The front store is green and made of wood, which helps you spot it quickly once you’re on the street.

If you’re pairing this with a Montmartre walking day, treat it like an anchor. Arrive a little early so you can settle in before tasting starts. Montmartre streets can be a puzzle when you’re looking up at landmarks instead of at street numbers.

Also, keep in mind the experience is 2 hours, so don’t schedule it back-to-back with something that runs late. Build in a buffer for that last little bit of walking.

Inside: Intimate Stone Walls and a Relaxed Small-Group Pace

This isn’t set up like a big, noisy show. The experience is designed as a small-group tasting, so you can hear explanations and ask questions without shouting over music. The room itself is described as beautiful and intimate, with stone walls that make it feel steady and grounded.

The format matters because it changes what you learn. In a group that’s not huge, the host can react to what people like. That’s when pairing tips start to make sense. You begin to understand why certain wines work with certain cheeses, instead of memorizing a list.

And because the tasting is guided by a local expert, you’re not left alone with tasting notes. Max leads you through the art of French cheesemaking and what makes pairings successful—without turning it into a test.

The Main Event: 8 Cheeses, 5 Wines, and How Pairings Teach Your Palate

The core promise is straightforward: 8 French cheeses, plus 5 French wines carefully selected to match them. One of the wines includes sparkling, which is a fun ingredient in cheese pairings because bubbles can reset your palate between richer bites.

Here’s what the pairing format does for you. Cheese can be confusing. One bite might taste creamy, then salty, then almost nutty. Without guidance, you might assume you just don’t like cheese. With a flight like this, you learn to “read” the cheese:

• You start noticing texture changes across different types.
• You start picking up flavor patterns tied to aging and style.
• You learn how wine can amplify or soften certain traits.

Max is also known for making this interactive. People describe him as funny and entertaining while staying informative, and they mention how the pairings feel spot on. That matters because you’re tasting higher-quality selections than what you’d casually grab at a shop.

One practical thing I’d expect: portions are not tiny. Several comments point out that there’s a lot of cheese for the price. That means you’ll get enough bites to actually compare, not just sample once and move on.

A note on wine types (including natural)

Some descriptions mention a natural wine selection, with Max explaining that natural wines can be a bit unpredictable. If that’s your style, great. If it’s not, the good news is that the pairing is still guided—so you’re not left wondering why something tastes different.

Cheesemaking Secrets You Can Actually Explain Back at Dinner

A tasting is fun, but the best ones give you language. This experience focuses on the secrets behind the art of French cheese making and how pairing works.

What you gain isn’t just “this cheese tastes X.” You learn the why behind it—how French cheesemakers get flavors from the process, and how those flavors interact with wine. That turns a tasting from entertainment into a skill you can use.

Max also uses visual tools. One person mentions a map to show the location and size of French regions. That’s a strong teaching method because cheese isn’t just a product. It’s tied to geography and tradition. When you understand where something comes from, you taste it differently.

And since Max encourages questions, you can tailor the learning. If you’re the type who wants to know what makes a cheese smell like it does, you can ask. If you just want a simple pairing rule, you’ll likely get that too.

One pairing lesson that sticks for some guests is to be careful with red wine and cheese. Even if you don’t remember the exact rule, you’ll leave thinking more deliberately about pairings instead of defaulting to whatever bottle you find first.

What Makes the Food and Wine Selection Feel Worth It

At $70 per person for a 2-hour guided tasting, the value comes from two places:

1) Quantity with purpose: 8 cheeses and 5 wines (including sparkling) means you’re tasting a full flight, not scattered samples.

2) Guidance: a real host who explains what you’re tasting keeps it from feeling like a casual “snack and wine” stop.

When people say the portion sizes are generous, that’s your clue it’s not stingy. Several comments mention the amount of cheese and wine being more than expected for the price. And since it’s small-group, you’re not paying for a massive production where your portion disappears into the noise.

Also, the pairing choices are treated like a craft. Guests repeatedly mention the pairings being well selected and spot on. That’s what you want if your goal is learning something you can reuse after the tasting.

Fresh water is included too, which is practical. With wine involved, hydration helps you stay present and keep your palate working.

The Role of Max: Funny, Warm, and Focused on Your Time

A host can make or break food experiences. Here, Max’s personality is a major ingredient.

Most praised themes from guests:

• He’s funny and entertaining without losing control of the teaching.
• He’s warm and inclusive, even for mixed groups.
• He answers questions and keeps the room engaged.
• He takes the tasting seriously, so it doesn’t feel rushed.

People also mention that even non-cheese or non-wine fans had a good time. That doesn’t mean everyone suddenly becomes a fromage fanatic. It does mean the pacing, explanations, and pairing logic make it easier to enjoy the samples even if you’re picky.

If you like a guide who talks like a human, not like a slideshow, this fits.

How to Get the Most Out of a 2-Hour Flight

You only have 2 hours, so you should treat it like a focused lesson. Keep these expectations in mind:

• You’ll taste multiple cheeses and wines back to back. Pace yourself.
• Ask questions as they come up. In a small group, it’s usually possible to get real answers.
• Pay attention to how your first impression changes after wine. That’s part of the point.
• Plan to slow down after. With wine included, your next stop should be something that doesn’t require fast decisions.

If you’re visiting Montmartre for photos and views, I’d put this early in the day—or early in your Paris trip. Several guests mention doing it early helps because you start learning how French food and drink actually connect, and you’ll spot better choices the rest of the week.

Accessibility and Practical Suitability

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, with the instructor guiding in English. If you’re traveling with mobility needs, this matters. Also, it’s a guided tasting with a fixed duration, so it’s easier to fit into a day than open-ended food wandering.

If you’re traveling with friends or family, this is also a strong shared activity. The format is social without being chaotic.

Who this suits best:

• Food lovers who want more than a snack
• Couples looking for a memorable Paris moment
• Small groups that want guided learning in a relaxed space
• Anyone curious about how cheesemaking ties to taste and pairing

Should You Book This Cheese and Wine Tasting in Montmartre?

I’d book it if you want a Paris food experience that feels local, guided, and genuinely enjoyable. The strongest reasons are the well-matched pairing flight, the small-group feel, and Max’s ability to make cheesemaking and wine logic click in a fun way.

I’d think twice if you’re avoiding wine or very strong flavors. The experience includes 5 wines, so even if you plan to sip lightly, it’s still a wine-centered activity.

If your goal is to leave with both great taste and better understanding—so you can shop, order, and pair with confidence later—this is the kind of 2-hour stop that can become a highlight of your Paris stay.

FAQ

How many cheeses and wines are included?

You’ll taste 8 French cheeses and sip 5 French wines, including one sparkling wine.

How long is the experience?

The tasting lasts 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $70 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 98 RUE MARCADET 75018 PARIS. The front store is green and made of wood.

Is the guide available in English?

Yes, the instructor is listed as English.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is there free cancellation?

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

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. The option listed is Reserve now & pay later, so you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

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