Paris Cheese Cellar: Cheese & Wine Tasting with Expert

Summary

Underground cheese cellar tasting Paris with expert pairing tips

You’ll descend into a real 17th-century Paris cheese cellar for a guided tasting led by an expert cheesemonger. Try seven French and Swiss cheeses paired with three wines (plus bread and fruit), learn pairing secrets, and share laughs in an intimate small group setting you won’t forget easily.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a white coat and hairnet before we even get to the stairs — not exactly what I pictured for a Paris cheese & wine tasting, but it made me laugh. The air changes as soon as you step into the cellar, colder and thick with this earthy, almost sweet smell that hits right behind your nose. Our guide, Pierre (he actually is a cheesemonger — he showed us his blue apron with pride), led us past racks of maturing cheeses that looked like they’d been sleeping for centuries. He told us to watch our heads; I still managed to bump mine on one of the stone arches.

Sitting around the table felt like being let in on some secret club. Seven cheeses lined up from soft and oozy to hard and nutty, each one paired with a glass of French or Swiss wine. Pierre poured slowly and explained why certain wines work with certain cheeses — something about fat and acid and… honestly, I got distracted by the way the Comté melted on my tongue after a sip of white Burgundy. The bread was crusty, still warm in the middle, and there was fresh fruit too (which I didn’t expect but loved). Someone tried to pronounce “Reblochon” properly and everyone ended up giggling.

I kept my jacket zipped up tight — it really is chilly down there — but I barely noticed after a while. There’s something about being underground in Paris, sharing food with strangers who start feeling like friends by the third glass. Pierre answered every odd question (“What’s that blue mold called again?”) without making anyone feel silly. We left smelling faintly of cheese and laughing about how we’d never look at supermarket Camembert the same way again. I still think about that first bite whenever I walk past a bakery now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cheese and wine tasting experience

• Meet professional cheesemonger guide
• Descend to 17th century cheese cellar
• Discover variety of French and Swiss cheeses
• Learn cheese and wine pairing techniques
• Taste seven cheeses with different wines
• Enjoy French bread and fruit

Top questions

Is this Paris cheese & wine tasting suitable for beginners?

Yes, no prior knowledge is needed—the guide explains everything simply.

How many cheeses and wines are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes seven different cheeses and three wines.

Where does the cheese & wine tasting take place?

It takes place in an underground 17th-century cheese cellar in Paris.

Is bread included during the cheese tasting?

Yes, fresh French bread is served along with fruit during the session.

How many people are in each group?

The session is limited to small groups of up to ten people.

Is it cold in the Paris cheese cellar?

Yes, it can be chilly—wear warm clothing as recommended.

Are children allowed at this cheese & wine tour?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; alcohol only served to those over 18.

Are there stairs involved in accessing the cellar?

Yes, access is only by stairs—there’s no elevator available.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings of seven French and Swiss cheeses paired with three carefully selected wines, plenty of fresh bread (of course), fruit on the side, all led by a professional cheesemonger inside a historic Parisian cellar—protective coats provided since you’re really among the aging wheels down there.