Cheese and wine, Montmartre style. This small-group experience stacks 8 French cheeses with 5 paired wines in a quiet, stone-walled Paris room, led by Max. One heads-up: it’s not a quick bite, so if you don’t want to drink wine or try multiple cheeses, it may feel like too much.

I like that Max keeps it fun but practical. You’ll get English explanations of French cheesemaking and pairing logic, plus the kind of humor that makes people relax fast.

It also feels like good value for a 2-hour session at $70 per person, because you’re not just watching—you’re tasting, learning, and getting water between rounds.

Key highlights at a glance

• 8 cheese tastings with pairing-focused guidance, not random samples
• 5 French wines matched to the cheeses, including one sparkling pour
• A stone-walled, intimate space that makes the whole experience feel calm
• Max’s storytelling plus a map-based tour of regions, so it clicks fast
• Small-group format that keeps questions welcome (and answers actually useful)
• Tips you can use later, including what to try with what wine

Finding 98 Rue Marcadet and settling into the tasting room

This tasting happens at 98 Rue Marcadet in Paris (near Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement area). When you arrive, look for the front store that’s green and has wood—that’s your visual marker.

The room itself is part of the appeal. Stone walls make everything feel grounded and low-noise, which matters because cheese and wine are about small differences. In a louder setting, people rush. Here, you can actually pay attention to the flavors as they change in your mouth.

Plan to show up a few minutes early. Not because you’ll be kept waiting, but because you’ll get the best start by taking a moment to get settled, read the room vibe, and be ready for the first pours.

What you’ll taste: 8 cheeses, 5 wines, and a sparkling moment

The core format is simple: you’ll taste a selection of 8 French cheeses and sip 5 French wines carefully chosen to pair with them. Fresh water is included, which is a big deal when you’re drinking wine in multiple rounds.

Here’s what that pairing structure does for you. Each cheese tasting isn’t just about identifying a flavor. It’s about learning why the pairing works—how fat, salt, and aging affect how wine tastes (and vice versa). That means you don’t leave with only a list of cheeses you liked. You leave with a way to make smarter choices next time.

One wine is sparkling. That matters because bubbles reset your palate in a way still wine usually can’t. If you like your tastings to keep moving—rather than getting heavy—this helps break the flow.

A practical note: multiple cheeses plus multiple glasses can add up. Several people mention getting a little tipsy, so keep your evening plans flexible. In other words, don’t schedule a long night drive across the city right after.

How Max makes French cheese and wine feel easy (and actually memorable)

Max runs the show, and the vibe is the reason a lot of people talk about this tasting as a highlight. He’s described as funny, warm, and engaging, but the key is that his explanations stay clear and usable.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes view of cheesemaking. The goal isn’t to lecture you. It’s to give you enough context to understand what you’re tasting—where the cheese comes from, what changes with production, and how that connects to wine pairing choices.

Two teaching elements stand out from what I’ve seen repeatedly in the experience feedback:

• Region mapping: Max uses a map to show cheese regions and how they relate across France. That helps your brain organize what you’re tasting instead of treating it like a random flight.
• Pairing rules of thumb: One person specifically mentions a tip about avoiding cheese with red wine. Even if you don’t follow every rule forever, the point is smart: the tasting is designed to make you notice pairings that work (and those that don’t) in real time.

Also, the pacing matters. You’re not shoved through tastings like a conveyor belt. The experience is built for questions, and Max answers them while keeping the energy light. That mix—serious enough to learn, relaxed enough to enjoy—is exactly what you want in a Paris food activity.

The tasting flow inside the stone-walled room (and why it works)

Even though this is one main stop, the experience has a clear internal rhythm. You’ll move through the rounds of cheese and wine, with Max guiding you on what to taste and what to notice.

Typically, you can think of the flow like this:

1. Start with the first pairing round: You’ll taste a cheese, then a paired wine. Pay attention to how the wine changes the cheese’s texture and saltiness.
2. Build pattern recognition across rounds: As the tasting continues, you start noticing themes—how different cheeses react to wine and how “contrast” and “complement” can both work.
3. Get the cheesemaking story during the tasting: Instead of dumping facts at the end, the explanations show up while you still have the cheese flavors fresh in your mind.
4. Reach the sparkling wine point: This often feels like a palate reset. It can make later pairings seem brighter and more distinct.
5. Wrap with practical takeaways: The best hosts leave you with ways to shop and order later. In this case, Max also shares Paris suggestions, so the tasting can feed into the rest of your trip.

Why this format is valuable: it trains your palate by pairing your senses with explanations. You taste, you compare, then you understand. That’s more useful than just memorizing what’s on the table.

Price and value: is $70 worth it?

At $70 per person for 2 hours, this isn’t a budget-only activity. But it is priced like an experience with real food and real guidance.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You’re getting 8 cheeses and 5 wines, not just a couple bites.
• You’re getting a local expert host who talks you through cheesemaking and pairing logic.
• You’re tasting in an intimate setting, which keeps it from feeling chaotic or impersonal.

If you were to buy similar quantities of cheese and wine on your own, you’d still need to figure out pairings, and you’d lose the structured learning component. The big win here is that you leave with a mental shortcut for ordering later.

Still, be honest about one potential mismatch: if your idea of a Paris food experience is a casual stroll-and-snack, this is more like a guided tasting session. You’ll taste a lot. Plan to enjoy the learning and the drinking, not just graze.

Who should book this Montmartre cheese and wine tasting

This is a great fit if you:

• Like food education that’s clear and fun, not stuffy
• Want a small-group experience with time for questions
• Enjoy pairing wine with flavors and want to do better next time
• Are visiting Paris and want one “serious but relaxed” afternoon activity

It’s also a strong choice if you want insider guidance for the rest of your trip. Many people highlight that Max gives restaurant and bar recommendations after the tasting. If you do this earlier in your time in Paris, those tips can shape what you choose for the rest of the week.

Who might hesitate:

• If you strongly dislike wine or don’t want alcohol, you may still find the cheese part interesting, but the experience is built around wine pairings.
• If you dislike cheese in general, you may find it hard to enjoy the structure, since 8 cheeses are part of the experience design.

Making the most of it: simple tips before you go

You don’t need to study French cheese before you arrive. But you can make the session more satisfying with a few smart habits:

• Go with a curious mindset. The tasting is designed to teach you patterns.
• Pace yourself with the included water. Your palate stays sharper longer.
• Use the region map idea. Even if you can’t memorize everything, start building categories (soft vs. firm, younger vs. aged).
• After the tasting, note what pairings worked for you. That becomes your personal guide for buying and ordering later.

And if you’re the type who likes to get value from a city activity, consider scheduling this earlier. One recurring theme is that people leave with both flavor knowledge and practical Paris suggestions.

Should you book this cheese and wine tasting in Montmartre?

Yes, if you want a relaxed, small-group Paris food experience that mixes real tasting with real explanations. The standout strength is the pairing-focused teaching led by Max in a calm, stone-walled space.

I’d book it if:

• You’re excited by French cheese and want to understand why it pairs with wine
• You like hosts who tell stories and keep the room engaged
• You want a memorable afternoon that doesn’t feel touristy

I’d hesitate if:

• You don’t want wine at all, or you want a very light, low-commitment snack
• You know you dislike most types of cheese

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the cheese and wine tasting?

You meet at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris. The front store is described as green and made of wood.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience runs for 2 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll get 8 French cheeses, 5 French wines (including one sparkling), fresh water, and a guided tasting led by a local expert.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. The instructor is English.

Is this experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $70 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a pay-later option?

Yes. The option says reserve now & pay later, so you can book without paying immediately.

What should I expect in terms of wine amount?

The experience includes 5 wines, including a sparkling glass. Some feedback notes the tastings can make you feel tipsy, so plan accordingly.

What should I do if I’m not sure about cheese or wine?

The tasting is built around sampling 8 cheeses and pairing them with 5 wines, so it works best if you’re open to trying. If you dislike cheese or wine, you may find it harder to enjoy the format.

FAQ

Is this experience in Montmartre?

The address places it in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, in the Montmartre area.

How many cheeses and wines will I taste?

You’ll taste 8 cheeses and sip 5 wines.

What if I’m traveling with others?

It’s set up for a small-group tasting, so it’s designed to feel personal and relaxed.

Do I get water?

Yes, fresh water is included.

Will there be time for questions?

The experience is guided and described as relaxed, with a host who engages the room, so questions are part of the experience.

Is there anything sparkling in the lineup?

Yes, one of the wines included is sparkling.

Can I pay nothing today when booking?

Yes. The listing includes reserve now & pay later.

What language is used for the explanations?

The explanations and instruction are listed as in English.

What’s the best way to find the place?

Look for the green, wood-front store at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris.