Notre-Dame is close enough to taste. This Paris cheese and wine stop is a small-group workshop in an old auberge with Notre-Dame views and a blindtasting-style game format that makes the pairings stick. I love how the host, Hervé (often known as RV), keeps it fun while still making it feel like a real lesson, and I love the practical pairing guidance you can use later in Paris. One thing to consider: it’s lively in a classroom-game way, not a party vibe, so if you want quiet, this may feel a bit structured.

You’ll sample 6 typical French cheeses with 4 glasses of wine chosen to match the flavors, plus bites of classic baguette and marmalade. The group stays small (up to 20), so you get time to ask questions, not just sip and go. The setting also shifts with the weather—terrace under trees when it’s nice, or a private room if it isn’t—which helps keep the experience comfortable.

The location is excellent for planning your day. You meet at 34 Rue Letellier and you’re right in the Latin Quarter area near the Seine and famous landmarks like Sainte-Chapelle and the Pantheon, so you can roll right into sightseeing after your 2-hour session.

Key highlights (the stuff that really matters)

• 6 cheeses + 4 wine glasses, built around flavor pairing (not random sampling)
• Notre-Dame-facing venue, with terrace seating when weather allows
• Game-based tasting, including blindtasting and a quiz to keep you sharp
• Expert guidance from Hervé (RV Dégustation), with English-led explanations
• Max 20 people, which usually means better conversation than big tour groups

A Notre-Dame-view tasting that feels like Paris, not a pit stop

This isn’t a warehouse tasting room or a generic tourist meal. You’re in an old Parisian auberge, and the big advantage is the sightline: the workshop sits with a view of Notre-Dame Cathedral. That changes the whole mood. Even if cheese and wine were the only thing on the menu, the setting makes it feel like you stepped into a scene.

Weather affects where you sit. Depending on conditions, the tasting happens either on a terrace under trees or inside a private room. Either way, the goal stays the same: a relaxed pace with comfortable seating so you can focus on taste and aromas.

Also, the neighborhood is a win. After the tour, you’re positioned to walk toward the Seine and nearby icons in the Latin Quarter. It’s a good pairing with a day of strolling—taste now, explore afterward.

What you actually get: 6 cheeses, 4 wines, and the supporting cast

Here’s the core of the experience: you’ll taste 6 typical French cheeses, paired with 4 glasses of excellent wine. You also get bread—traditional baguette—and marmalade to balance the flavors across different styles of cheese.

This matters more than it sounds. Cheese tasting can turn into a random sequence of bites if there’s no structure. Here, the wine is selected specifically to complement the cheeses you’re trying. That gives you a repeatable way to understand pairings: how acidity, sweetness, and tannins can either lift a cheese or flatten it.

Expect variety. French cheese covers a wide range—soft, firm, and stronger-ripened styles—so the tasting order is part of the learning. The host points out what’s happening with ripening and flavor development, so you’re not just guessing which cheese you like. You learn why it tastes the way it does.

One practical note: the tasting lasts about 2 hours, so you’ll get a satisfying amount of food without feeling stuffed for the rest of your day. Still, plan to eat beforehand or bring a light snack if you’re the type who gets hungry quickly between tastings and walks.

The pairing games: blindtasting that trains your palate fast

The “Tasty Games” part isn’t just a cute label. The tasting includes interactive moments like blindtasting and a quiz. These games do two things at once: they make it fun, and they force you to pay attention.

In a blindtasting, you can’t rely on appearance or the name of a cheese to tell you what to expect. You have to work from smell and texture first, then taste. The quiz keeps the energy up and gives you quick checkpoints for what you’re learning—especially helpful if wine and cheese are new to you.

There’s also a competitive element where people can end up “competing” for knowledge points. That’s not the same as a stressful exam. It’s more like friendly motivation, and it helps you remember the regions and pairing logic longer than a standard tasting.

If you’re traveling with friends, these games are a great icebreaker. If you’re traveling solo, they’re a good way to avoid awkward small talk—because you’ve always got something tasting-related to react to.

Hervé (RV Dégustation) and how the lesson stays practical

The guide is Hervé, representing RV Dégustation. The big theme in the experience is how personable and organized the session feels. Hervé’s English is described as strong, and the explanations come with real context—where cheeses come from and how wine choices fit the flavors.

I like this approach because it avoids the “facts dump” problem. Instead of just listing terms, Hervé uses the tasting itself as the teaching tool. You learn patterns: what to look for in cheese (ripening level, milk type cues, texture) and how wine behavior changes what you taste next.

You’ll also get help with a French gastronomic map. That’s valuable for people who want more than a one-off souvenir. Once you understand which regions and product styles connect, you can make smarter choices later—at shops, cafés, and wine bars.

And yes, the vibe is social. Multiple people describe the feel as hanging out with someone who genuinely enjoys the craft. For me, that’s a key quality in food tours: you want enthusiasm, but you also want clarity.

Where you’ll be standing: Latin Quarter meets the Seine

The meeting point is 34 Rue Letellier, 75015 Paris. From there, you’re in striking walking distance to major sights. Your “after” plans are easy because you’re near the Seine and close to big anchors like Sainte-Chapelle and the Pantheon.

The specific location also helps with atmosphere. You’re not cut off from the city—you’re in a lively area where you can keep moving once the tasting ends back at the meeting point.

This is a practical tour for scheduling. It’s short at about 2 hours, so it fits into a half-day sightseeing plan. I’d put it earlier in your trip if your goal is to understand what to order later. The pairing logic makes you more confident when you’re staring at a wine list.

Pairing takeaways you’ll use the moment you order wine in Paris

This tour is built around learning by tasting, so the best souvenir might be your new instincts. Here are the kinds of takeaways you can expect to walk away with:

1) You’ll start tasting in pairs, not alone.

Once you’ve felt how a wine changes a cheese, you’ll stop thinking of cheese and wine as two separate items.

2) You’ll get comfortable with blindtasting cues.

Even if you don’t repeat the same game later, you’ll remember to check smell first and texture second.

3) You’ll understand regional logic.

With the gastronomic map and the way Hervé explains origins, you’ll be able to connect what you taste to where it comes from.

4) You’ll order with less guesswork.

If you plan to buy cheese or choose wine by the glass later, this kind of tasting helps you avoid random selection.

If you’re the type who usually freezes when a server asks what you like, this can help you respond faster. Not because you’ll become a sommelier in two hours, but because you’ll have a clearer vocabulary and a better memory for flavor.

Price and value: what you’re paying for

At $78.09 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying for more than a snack. You’re paying for:

• 6 cheeses (a real variety, not just a couple of samples)
• 4 wine glasses paired to the cheeses
• bread and marmalade to balance bites
• guided instruction from Hervé
• structured, fun learning with blindtasting and a quiz
• a venue with Notre-Dame views in a central Paris location

When you break it down, the value comes from the pairing structure and the guidance. A casual cheese platter might be cheaper, but it doesn’t teach you how to pair, and it won’t give you the same “aha” moments.

That said, it’s still a tasting session with a set menu. If your goal is maximum wine quantity or a long, slow sit-down meal, this may feel shorter than you want. But if your goal is to learn fast and enjoy a curated experience, it’s a solid fit.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want something else)

This works especially well if you:

• want a fun, educational Paris food experience without being heavy or formal
• like interactive learning (games and quick quizzes)
• care about pairing logic, not just tasting
• want a central activity you can pair with a big day of walking

It may feel less ideal if you:

• prefer quiet, minimalist tastings with no games
• want more of a long dinner experience rather than a compact workshop
• are looking for a huge wine flight beyond 4 glasses

If you’re traveling with mixed interest levels (some cheese people, some not), the games help keep everyone involved. If you’re traveling with kids, note the alcohol rule: only people over 18 can drink alcohol. One important point from actual experience: Hervé can accommodate younger participants with a non-alcohol tasting option such as apple juice.

Should you book this Paris cheese and wine tour?

I’d book it if you want a tight, high-value tasting with a real sense of place—right by Notre-Dame—and you like learning through doing. The combination of 6 cheeses + structured wine pairings + blindtasting games is what makes it feel worth your time, not just your money.

I’d think twice if you hate interactive formats or you’re after a calm, silent tasting where the focus is only on the food. Also, if you’re very set on a particular kind of atmosphere, remember the venue setup can shift with weather.

If you’re doing your first trip to Paris and want one “smart fun” food stop that sets you up for better ordering the rest of the week, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Paris Cheeses and Wines tour?

The experience runs for about 2 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste 6 French cheeses with 4 glasses of wine, along with bites of baguette and marmalade. You’ll also take part in tasting games like blindtasting and a quiz.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The tour meets at 34 Rue Letellier, 75015 Paris, France.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Can under-18 guests participate?

People must be over 18 to drink alcohol. The host can provide a non-alcohol tasting option such as apple juice for younger participants.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.