Intermezzo Montreal Review [Best Montreal Matchmaker?]

Intermezzo Montreal is a Quebec matchmaking service founded by Joan Paiement charging $1,800-$10,000 for database-only matching. With 4.0 Google stars (95+ reviews) and 80-85% claimed success rate, the service caters to both Anglo and Franco clientele across Montreal and international markets.

Key Insights: What You Need to Know

• Pricing range: $1,800-$10,000 based on service length and match criteria (not disclosed online)
• Success rate: 80-85% according to Intermezzo Montreal's own claims
• Service packages: Three tiers available; Intermezzo Prive package required to work directly with founder Joan Paiement
• Client reviews: 4.0-star Google rating from 95+ reviews showing mixed experiences
• Service area: Montreal, South Shore, North Shore, Quebec, plus international clients
• Unique clientele: Serves both Anglo and Franco populations with distinct cultural expectations
• Millennial growth: 20% of clientele are now millennials, up from virtually zero when Paiement started
• Matchmaking process: Database-only matching with psychometric tests, criminal background checks, and addiction screening
• Common complaints: Matches not aligning with stated criteria, limited match quality from database-only approach

Our team has reviewed over 200 matchmaking services, exploring their processes, client experiences, cost, and more. Our reviews draw from 14+ years of firsthand industry experience and a deep understanding of the matchmaking landscape.

Joan Paiement's journey to becoming a Montreal matchmaker follows an unexpected path from high finance to helping singles find love.

A Career Change After the Stock Exchange

Joan Paiement made a life-changing decision after spending two decades at the Montreal Stock Exchange. She chose to retire and focus solely on being a mother to her two children.

As she shared with Global Love Report, 

“I was Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of the Montreal Stock Exchange. I worked there for 20 years and when I retired, I was convinced that I would never work again as nothing could be more exciting than the Stock Exchange. I retired to become a full-time mom.”

Self-Reinvention Through Education

During this period in her life, Paiement also embarked on a journey of self-reinvention, pursuing additional degrees. In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Concordia University—education that would later prove invaluable in her matchmaking career.

An Unexpected Entry into Matchmaking

Paiement's journey to matchmaking began when a close friend, who had recently gone through a separation, reached out for assistance finding a new romantic partner. Despite Paiement's limited experience in this realm, her friend encouraged her to apply for a position at a local dating agency. Intrigued by the opportunity, Paiement decided to pursue it.

In 2011, Paiement joined the team at Intermezzo Montreal.

Reflecting on the transition, Paiement described it this way to Global Love Report:   

“I have free time so I’ll apply, go in, and find her a boyfriend!” I said to myself that I would quit afterward.”

From Employee to Owner

Despite her initial intentions to quit after fulfilling her friend's request, Paiement discovered a passion for matchmaking. This unexpected twist led her to take a significant step forward. In 2013, she purchased Intermezzo Montreal, transforming from employee to owner.

Expanding Beyond Montreal

While Intermezzo is based in Outremont, its influence extends far beyond the borders of Quebec. Serving members from Montreal, the South Shore, the North Shore, and even catering to international clients, the agency has established a broad reach across multiple markets.

Intermezzo Montreal serves a distinctive client base shaped by Montreal's unique linguistic and cultural landscape.

Navigating Anglo and Franco Expectations

Intermezzo Montreal attracts a unique blend of clientele, catering to both Anglos and Francos, who typically have their own distinct requirements. According to Paiement, recognizing these differences is essential to successful matchmaking.

As she describes it, 

“Being in Montreal, we have to deal with 2 different clienteles. The Anglos and the Francos. They don’t have much in common, so it’s important for us to be well-versed in the customs and expectations of everyone.” 

This cultural sensitivity distinguishes Intermezzo from matchmakers in more linguistically homogeneous cities.

The Millennial Surge

Intermezzo's clientele isn't solely defined by linguistic preferences. The agency has witnessed a significant surge in its millennial clientele, representing a major demographic shift.

As Paiement shared with Concordia,  

“That part of the clientele when I started here, there was nobody under the age of 30. Now millennials makeup 20 percent of our business and growing. I think millennials have a tougher time dating than previous generations.”

This shift reflects broader trends in professional matchmaking, where younger generations exhausted by dating apps increasingly turn to personalized services.

Understanding how Intermezzo operates helps you determine if their approach aligns with your dating goals and preferences.

Step 1: Initial Consultation with Relationship Advisor

The first step to working with Intermezzo is meeting with a relationship advisor. During this meeting, you'll receive an overview of services, details about the matchmaking process, and cost information.

This session typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes and serves as both an information exchange and mutual evaluation to determine if the service is a good fit.

Step 2: Profile Creation and Assessment

After the initial consultation, your assigned matchmaker works to complete your profile, administer psychometric tests, and prepare your portfolio. These assessments help identify personality traits, values, and compatibility factors that inform matching decisions.

Step 3: Match Selection from Database

Drawing from the information you provide about yourself, your desired match criteria, and your assessment results, your matchmaker begins searching for potential matches in their database.

Step 4: Profile Review and Approval

You're presented with profiles of potential matches for consideration. You have the final say on whether you'd like to go out with someone. When interest is mutual, clients are responsible for contacting their matches and planning the dates—Intermezzo doesn't coordinate date logistics.

Step 5: Ongoing Support and Feedback

You'll receive dating advice from your matchmaker throughout the process. After each date, they request feedback so they can make adjustments to their selection process if necessary.

Safety and Screening Measures

According to their FAQ, Intermezzo conducts criminal background checks and screens for addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. This safety-first approach provides important peace of mind for clients.

Membership Approval Process

While Intermezzo doesn't have specific membership criteria, they exercise discretion in their selection process. Individuals may be turned away if they don't possess characteristics sought by other members.

As stated on their website's FAQ section, membership approval is based on the preferences of their current members, which can evolve from week to week. This means acceptance isn't guaranteed even if you're willing to pay—you must fit what existing members are seeking.

Claimed Success Rate

According to a Google Business review response from the Intermezzo Montreal team, the success rate of members is around 80-85%.

Understanding Intermezzo's pricing structure requires an initial consultation, as fees aren't disclosed online.

Three Package Tiers

Intermezzo provides three matchmaking packages, but you'll need to purchase the Intermezzo Prive package to work directly with founder Joan Paiement. The other two tiers likely assign you to other matchmakers on her team.

Pricing Factors

Like many matchmaking services, final fees are determined during your initial consultation. Certain factors influence your total package price:

• Length of service time
• Complexity of match criteria
• Service tier selected
• Whether you want to work with Paiement directly

Reported Cost Range

While Intermezzo doesn't disclose pricing online, online reviews indicate some clients paid between $1,800 and $3,000. However, according to Le Journal de Montreal, pricing can go as high as $10,000 for premium packages.

This wide range suggests significant variation based on the factors above, making the initial consultation critical for understanding your actual investment.

Review analysis across platforms reveals mixed client experiences with notable patterns worth considering.

Google Reviews: 4.0 Stars from 95+ Reviews

Intermezzo Montreal has a 4-star rating on Google based on 95+ reviews, showing a mix of both positive and negative feedback.

Positive Experiences - Meeting Someone Special Multiple former clients reported positive experiences, specifically mentioning they met someone special through the service. These satisfied clients praised the personalized attention and successful outcomes.

Negative Experiences - Misaligned Matches Several 1-star reviews came from former clients who felt their matching criteria wasn't taken into consideration. These reviewers expressed frustration about receiving introductions that didn't align with their stated preferences—a common complaint with database-only matchmaking services.

The Review Pattern

The mixed feedback reflects a challenge inherent to database-only matchmaking: match quality depends entirely on who else happens to be enrolled in the service. When your ideal match characteristics align with available database members, experiences are positive. When they don't, frustration follows.

Using Reviews Strategically

Online matchmaking service reviews can be valuable research tools, but it's not just about a service's rating. Reviews are subjective, so you need to dig deeper than the stars.

You can use what other clients experienced as the foundation for developing insightful questions to ask during your initial consultation. You can also assess how a service handles customer service issues based on how they publicly respond on review platforms.

When deciding if Intermezzo is right for you, several factors deserve careful consideration beyond the initial consultation experience.

The Database-Only Limitation

One element of service you'll want to be crystal clear on is where your matches come from. Many matchmaking services match clients with other clients or with singles who have signed up to be included in the database for free.

The Compatibility Challenge: Finding two people whose deal breakers and must-haves align perfectly is difficult, if not impossible, to do solely from within a limited roster in a particular city. This mathematical reality explains why "matches don't fit my criteria" is such a common complaint across database-only services.

Alternative Approaches to Consider

Other services take different approaches that may address database limitations:

Enamour Makes matches from within a curated database but also utilizes recruiting technology and a network of scouts to vastly expand the search for compatible matches. The dual approach (database + scouting) generally costs more but increases the odds of consistently delivering high-quality matches.

VIDA Select Takes a modern approach to matchmaking that leverages the largest source of eligible singles available—not limited to a single database. Another advantage: matchmaking packages are all monthly, on a pay-as-you-go basis with no long-term contractual commitment.

With an 82% success rate, VIDA clients typically find someone with true relationship potential in just 3 months. For Montreal singles seeking flexibility and expanded match possibilities, this approach offers a compelling alternative.

Key Decision Factors

Choose Intermezzo Montreal If:

• You prefer working with an established local Quebec matchmaker
• The $1,800-$10,000 price range fits your budget
• You're comfortable with database-only matching
• You want the option to work directly with Joan Paiement (Intermezzo Prive)
• Mixed reviews don't concern you if the initial consultation feels right

Consider Alternatives If:

• You want proactive recruitment beyond a limited database
• Match quality is your absolute top priority
• You prefer month-to-month flexibility over package commitments
• You'd benefit from access to a larger pool of potential matches
• The mixed reviews about criteria alignment concern you