Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with a Local Cheesemonger

Paris tastes better with a little guidance. This two-hour Montmartre tasting pairs eight French cheeses with French wines, while cheesemonger Maxime explains what is on your plate, where it comes from, and why the pairing works. I like the small maximum of 11 people, which gives you time to ask questions, and I like that the event takes place in a simple stone-walled room rather than a large, polished tourist venue.

The main consideration is that this is more cheese-focused than wine-focused. The wine is part of the fun, but the strongest teaching centers on French cheesemaking and pairing. The meeting point at 98 Rue Marcadet can also take a few extra minutes to find, so I would not arrive at the last second.

The tasting at a glance

• Eight cheeses, four French wines: The detailed tasting format centers on eight cheeses and four wine pairings, with generous portions.
• Maxime leads the afternoon: His humor, passion, and clear explanations are a major part of the experience.
• Small group setting: A maximum of 11 people keeps the conversation personal and gives you room to ask questions.
• A 2:30 pm start in Montmartre: The timing works well before an evening meal or after a morning of sightseeing.
• A practical lesson in pairing: You learn how texture, strength, acidity, and flavor affect the match between cheese and wine.
• Ends where it begins: The tasting returns to the meeting point, leaving you in Montmartre for more exploring.

What happens at 98 Rue Marcadet

You meet at 2:30 pm at 98 Rue Marcadet in the 18th arrondissement. This is not a sightseeing walk, so you should think of the address as your base for a seated food experience. The activity ends back at the same point.

The setting is described as an intimate Parisian space with stone walls. It may not look fancy from the outside, and one participant specifically noted that the initial appearance of the room could make you hesitate. That is useful to know. This is a working cheesemonger’s environment, not a grand dining salon designed for photographs.

I prefer that kind of setting for an experience like this. You are there to eat, listen, compare flavors, and talk with the person who works with the food. The room’s modest appearance may be part of its charm, but anyone expecting a formal restaurant or wine cellar should adjust expectations.

The group limit of 11 matters. A larger group can turn a tasting into a lecture where you hold your questions until the end. Here, the format allows Maxime to move through the cheeses, respond to individual questions, and keep the mood conversational. Several accounts describe the afternoon as warm, funny, and easygoing, with plenty of interaction around the table.

Maxime’s approach to French cheese

Maxime is a cheesemonger based in Montmartre, and his role gives the tasting a clear focus. He does not simply place plates in front of you and name the cheeses. He explains how French cheese is made, discusses where different styles come from, and uses actual cheese wheels during the presentation.

That hands-on element is valuable. Cheese names can blur together after a few days in France, especially when you are trying to remember the difference between a soft-ripened cheese, a firmer aged cheese, and a stronger regional variety. Seeing the wheels and hearing how the cheese develops makes the subject easier to understand.

You do not need a background in food. The explanations are designed to be accessible, and the tone is more friendly lesson than serious seminar. Maxime’s humor also keeps the subject from becoming too technical. I would expect plenty of conversation, not a silent tasting where everyone waits for the next instruction.

The best part is the chance to ask questions as you go. If you want to know how to choose cheese in a Paris market, how to serve it, or what kind of wine works with a particular style, this is the time to ask. Maxime is also described as helpful with local questions, so the experience may give you a few useful Montmartre suggestions beyond the food itself.

Eight cheeses and the order of the tasting

The central event is a selection of eight French cheeses, chosen by Maxime and matched with French wines. The exact cheese list is not provided, and it may change according to availability. That is normal for a cheesemonger-led tasting, where season, supply, and quality can affect what appears on the table.

Eight cheeses is a generous range for a two-hour session. It gives you enough variety to notice how flavor, texture, age, and aroma change from one sample to the next. It also means you should pace yourself. The portions are described as generous, so this is not merely a nibble before dinner.

The tasting is built around comparison. A mild cheese may show you how a wine can support delicate flavors. A firmer or more assertive cheese may call for something with more freshness or structure. The point is not to memorize rules. It is to notice why one combination feels balanced while another seems flat, sharp, or overpowering.

I like this approach because it gives you a method you can use later. After the tasting, you should have a better idea of what to look for at a fromagerie or market. You may also feel more comfortable ordering a cheese plate without relying on guesswork.

The experience description emphasizes pairings rather than a separate wine class. That distinction is important. If you want a detailed study of French vineyards, appellations, and vintages, this may feel light on wine. If you want to understand how wine and cheese work together at the table, the balance should suit you.

Four wines with a stronger cheese focus

The tasting details describe four French wines paired with the cheeses. An earlier summary refers to five wine pairings, so the published information is not fully consistent. The more detailed format and repeated tasting description specify four wines, which is the figure I would use when deciding if the experience matches your plans.

The wine is there to support the cheese, not to compete with it. One participant specifically noted that the wines were all white, and that the event placed more emphasis on cheese than on wine. That is not a criticism, but it is an important planning detail.

You will probably enjoy this most if you want to learn how to taste rather than simply drink. Maxime explains the origins of the products and the logic behind each match. The conversation also makes it easier to compare impressions with the other people at the table.

Because the tasting lasts about two hours, the pace should leave room for discussion. Accounts describe Maxime as lively and entertaining, and one says the experience ran well past the scheduled time. I would not count on an extended session, since extra time depends on the group and the host, but it suggests that the atmosphere is not rushed.

Why the Montmartre location works

Montmartre is one of Paris’s most recognizable areas, and this tasting gives you a reason to spend time away from the main sights. The meeting address is on Rue Marcadet, in the 18th arrondissement, near public transportation.

The activity itself does not include a guided tour of Montmartre. You should not expect Maxime to lead you through the neighborhood or provide a formal walking route. Instead, the tasting ends at its starting point, putting you in a useful position to continue exploring the old Parisian district on your own.

I would schedule this on a day when you already plan to visit Montmartre, or use it as the afternoon anchor for a neighborhood visit. The 2:30 pm start leaves the morning open for other sights. Afterward, you can continue your walk, find dinner, or make your way to another part of Paris.

Give yourself extra time to locate the address. One account called the area a little hard to find, and that is exactly the sort of small logistical problem that can sour an otherwise pleasant afternoon. A mobile ticket is provided, and the experience is offered in English.

Is $72.41 a fair price?

At $72.41 per person, this is not a bargain snack stop. The price makes more sense when you count the amount of food, the four wine tastings, the two-hour format, and the personal instruction from a working cheesemonger.

The portions are described as generous, and the selection includes eight cheeses. For many people, that is enough food to function as a substantial afternoon tasting rather than a small appetizer. You may still want dinner later, but you should not expect to leave hungry.

The value also depends on how much you use the host’s time. If you sit quietly and simply sample the food, the price may feel high. If you ask questions, compare pairings, and take in the explanations, you are paying for a lesson as well as a meal.

I consider it a reasonable splurge for food lovers, couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting other people. It is less suitable for someone who wants a full meal, a formal wine course, or a broad Montmartre walking tour for the same fee.

The experience is recommended by 99 percent of participants and has an overall rating of 5 from 81 reviews. Those numbers suggest a very strong record, but I would still read the format carefully: the appeal rests heavily on Maxime’s personality and on your interest in cheese.

Who will enjoy this most

I would book this if you answer yes to any of these questions:

• Do you want a food experience with real instruction?
• Do you enjoy trying several kinds of cheese in one sitting?
• Would you like a small-group activity instead of a large tour?
• Are you staying near Montmartre or planning to visit the area?
• Do you like hosts who use humor and conversation?
• Would pairing tips help you shop and eat more confidently in France?

The experience suits beginners because the explanations are clear and welcoming. It also works for people who already know a bit about wine and cheese, since you can use the question time to ask more specific things.

I would be cautious if you dislike strong cheese, prefer red wine, or want the wine to receive equal billing. The tasting is cheese-first, and the available information identifies the wines as white. Food allergies and dietary restrictions are not addressed in the details provided, so you should ask the provider before booking if that affects you.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, though no specific station or route is provided.

Booking and cancellation details worth knowing

Confirmation arrives at the time of booking, and you use a mobile ticket. Since the experience averages 51 days of advance booking, reserving ahead is sensible if your Paris dates are fixed. That said, one account describes booking at the last minute successfully, so availability can vary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 2:30 pm start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Paris time.

The activity requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met and the session is canceled, you receive the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

My recommendation

I would book this tasting if you want an intimate afternoon built around French food, with a host who brings humor and real working knowledge to the table. The eight cheeses, four wines, generous portions, and small group make the $72.41 price easier to justify, especially if you treat it as both a meal and a practical lesson.

Go in expecting cheese to lead the way. You will not get a complete wine seminar or a guided tour of Montmartre, and the room may look plain at first. But if you arrive early, bring questions, and enjoy a relaxed conversation, this is a strong choice for making French food feel less mysterious and much more enjoyable.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting begin?

It begins at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, France.

What time does the tasting start?

The scheduled start time is 2:30 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 11 travelers.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many cheeses are included?

The tasting includes eight French cheeses.

How many wines are included?

The detailed tasting information specifies four French wines, though another summary refers to five wine pairings.

Is the experience near public transportation?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.