The Art of French Cheese
A Journey Through France’s Legendary Fromages
Last night, I was reminiscing with my husband about my first trip to France almost thirty years ago. My mom and I traveled to France and Italy with the partial motive to check out Venice because I planned to study there the following year. (That’s a tale for another time!)
Rick Steves was our bible, and his favorite hotel was the Grand Hôtel Lévêque, at the time a sweet little hotel on the beautifully charming Rue Cler that fit our budget. Location-wise, it was excellent. Well, except perhaps it was above a fromagerie that my cheese-picky mom couldn’t stand even to set foot in the stink was so strong. To this day, she regrets not going into that shop.
I plan to return to that shop and go inside when my husband and I eventually return to France. All the cheese we will taste…
France makes over 1,000 types of Cheese and counting
That’s a lot of cheese to choose from. Although some countries may disagree, many consider France the epicenter of cheese artistry. From creamy Brie to tangy Roquefort, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s take a tour through France and get to know some of the most famous cheeses.
Île-de-France: The Home of Brie
Featured Cheeses: Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun
Tasting Notes: Buttery, mushroomy, creamy
Pairings: A glass of Champagne or light red wine
Travel Tip: Visit a local fromagerie in Meaux to see traditional brie-making
Fun Fact: Brie was dubbed the "King of Cheeses" at the Congress of Vienna in 1815
Normandy: Land of Camembert and Richness
Featured Cheeses: Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l’Évêque, Livarot
Tasting Notes: Earthy, bloomy rinds, creamy interiors
Pairings: Normandy cider or Calvados
Travel Tip: Tour the Camembert village and local farms
Fun Fact: Camembert was reportedly a favorite of Napoleon III
Loire Valley: Goat Cheese Heaven
Featured Cheeses: Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay, Sainte-Maure de Touraine
Tasting Notes: Tangy, citrusy, crumbly
Pairings: Sauvignon Blanc (like Sancerre)
Travel Tip: Pair a cheese tour with visits to the Loire’s fairy-tale châteaux
Fun Fact: Valençay cheese was supposedly shaped like a truncated pyramid after Napoleon lopped off the top in a rage!
Burgundy: Where Wine and Cheese Unite
Featured Cheeses: Époisses de Bourgogne, Ami du Chambertin
Tasting Notes: Pungent, creamy, washed-rind cheeses
Pairings: Bold red Burgundy or Marc de Bourgogne
Travel Tip: Tour the wine cellars and sample Époisses aged in brandy
Fun Fact: Époisses was banned on public transport because of its strong aroma!
The Alps: Mountain Cheeses of Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Featured Cheeses: Beaufort, Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie
Tasting Notes: Nutty, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth
Pairings: White wines from Savoie or hearty Alpine lagers
Travel Tip: Try fondue and raclette at a mountainside chalet
Fun Fact: Beaufort is called the “Prince of Gruyères”
Auvergne: Blue Cheeses and Beyond
Featured Cheeses: Bleu d’Auvergne, Fourme d’Ambert, Saint-Nectaire
Tasting Notes: Creamy, tangy, mellow blues
Pairings: Sweet wines or dessert wines (Sauternes)
Travel Tip: Visit caves where Fourme d’Ambert is aged
Fun Fact: These cheeses benefit from volcanic soil pastures—giving them unique flavors
Provence and Corsica: Sun-Kissed Cheeses
Featured Cheeses: Banon (Provence), Brocciu (Corsica)
Tasting Notes: Herbaceous, delicate, fresh
Pairings: Rosé from Provence or Muscat
Travel Tip: Visit Corsican sheep farms for fresh Brocciu in season
Fun Fact: Banon is wrapped in chestnut leaves soaked in brandy!
This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg! What are your favorite French cheeses?
