The Ultimate List: 15 Must-Try Cheeses from France
France is known for many things, but when it comes to food, nothing stands out more than its incredible variety of cheeses. From creamy to tangy, and soft to hard, French cheeses are a delight for any food lover.
If you’re planning a trip to France or just looking to explore French flavors from home, this list of must-try cheeses will take you on a journey through the country’s rich culinary heritage. Each cheese offers something unique, with flavors that can elevate any dish or be enjoyed on their own.
Let’s dive into French cheeses and discover the best of the best.
Brie de Meaux
Brie de Meaux is one of France’s most famous soft cheeses. Originating from the Brie region, it has a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavor. The white rind is edible, adding a slight earthiness to every bite.
Brie de Meaux pairs perfectly with fresh baguette slices and fruit like grapes or pears. It’s often served as part of a cheese platter, but it can also be melted into dishes like pasta or baked into puff pastry. If you’re new to French cheeses, Brie de Meaux is a perfect starting point.
Camembert
Camembert, often compared to Brie, hails from the Normandy region of France. This soft cheese is known for its strong, earthy aroma and creamy, smooth interior. As it ages, the flavor becomes more intense, with hints of mushroom and hazelnut.
Camembert is delicious but can also be baked to create a warm, gooey cheese dip. It’s a great cheese with crusty bread and a glass of cider or white wine. Its rich, full-bodied flavor makes it a staple in French households.
Roquefort
Roquefort is one of the world’s best-known blue cheeses, produced in the caves of southern France. This cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has a strong, tangy flavor that’s slightly salty. Its signature blue veins give it a sharp bite that pairs well with honey, walnuts, or figs.
Roquefort is also great crumbled over salads or melted into sauces for steaks or burgers. While its bold taste may not be for everyone, Roquefort is a must-try for fans of blue cheeses.
Comté
Comté is a firm cheese from the Jura region, known for its nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It’s one of the most popular cheeses in France and is often used in cooking, from fondues to gratins. Comté has a golden color and a dense texture that makes it great for slicing or grating.
Aged Comté has a deeper flavor with hints of caramel, while younger versions are milder and creamier. This versatile cheese pairs well with both red and white wines, making it a fantastic addition to any meal.
Reblochon
Reblochon is a soft, washed-rind cheese from the Savoie region, famous for its role in the traditional dish tartiflette. Its creamy texture and mild, fruity taste make it incredibly versatile in both cooking and as a table cheese.
When baked, Reblochon melts beautifully, adding a rich, indulgent layer to dishes like potatoes or casseroles.
The cheese is slightly pungent, but its flavor is delicate, with a hint of nuttiness. For those who enjoy creamy cheese with depth, Reblochon is a perfect choice.
Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
Chèvre, or goat cheese, is a staple in French cuisine, offering a wide range of textures and flavors depending on its age. Fresh chèvre is soft and spreadable, with a tangy, bright flavor, while aged chèvre becomes firmer and develops a stronger, more complex taste.
It’s commonly used in salads, often drizzled with honey or olive oil, and pairs well with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. Chèvre is also fantastic on crackers or bread, making it a popular choice for appetizers. Whether you prefer mild or bold flavors, chèvre has something to offer.
Munster
Munster cheese hails from the Alsace region and is known for its strong, pungent aroma. Don’t let the smell deter you, though—this cheese has a rich, creamy flavor with a slight tang. Munster is traditionally made from cow’s milk and is often eaten with boiled potatoes or rye bread.
It’s also used in savory dishes, where its bold taste shines through. This is a cheese for adventurous eaters who enjoy strong, earthy flavors. Pair it with a glass of Alsatian white wine to balance out its intensity.
Saint-Nectaire
Saint-Nectaire is a semi-soft cheese from the Auvergne region, known for its creamy texture and fruity flavor. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a distinctive orange rind that adds a slight nuttiness to its taste. The cheese is often enjoyed as part of a cheese platter, accompanied by fresh fruit and wine.
It melts beautifully, making it a great choice for grilled cheese sandwiches or cheese sauces. Saint-Nectaire is mild enough to appeal to most cheese lovers but with enough character to keep things interesting.
Époisses
Époisses is a cheese with a reputation—its strong aroma has even gotten it banned from some public transport in France! However, beneath the pungent smell lies a soft, creamy cheese with a complex flavor profile.
The rind is washed with a brandy called Marc de Bourgogne, giving it a slightly spicy and fruity taste. Époisses is best enjoyed with a crusty loaf of bread and a glass of red wine.
While its smell can be intimidating, the taste is surprisingly mellow, with a rich, buttery finish.
Tomme de Savoie
Tomme de Savoie is a semi-hard cheese from the mountainous region of Savoie. It has a mild, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, making it a great everyday cheese. Tomme de Savoie is made from cow’s milk and has a firm texture, with small holes throughout the cheese.
It’s often enjoyed with fresh fruit, cured meats, or pickles, and pairs well with both red and white wines. This is a cheese that’s easy to enjoy, even for those new to French cheeses, due to its mild and pleasant taste.
Beaufort
Beaufort is a firm, alpine cheese from the Savoie region, known for its nutty and slightly fruity flavor. It’s often compared to Gruyère but has a creamier texture and a more delicate taste. Beaufort is a key ingredient in traditional fondue, where it melts beautifully and adds richness to the dish.
It’s also fantastic on its own or paired with nuts and dried fruit. Whether enjoyed as part of a meal or as a snack, Beaufort is a cheese that showcases the best of French alpine flavors.
Cantal
Cantal is one of France’s oldest cheeses, originating from the Auvergne region. It has a firm texture and a rich, buttery flavor with hints of hazelnut. Depending on its age, Cantal can range from mild and creamy to sharp and tangy.
It’s often used in cooking, particularly in dishes like gratins or quiches, but it’s also delicious on its own. Cantal pairs well with hearty breads and rustic wines, making it a great addition to any cheese board. If you enjoy cheddar-like cheeses, Cantal is worth a try.
Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel is a soft cheese from Normandy, often shaped like a heart, which makes it a romantic addition to any cheese platter. Its flavor is similar to Brie’s but with a slightly grainier texture and a saltier taste.
Neufchâtel is perfect for spreading on crackers or bread, and it pairs well with fresh fruits and white wines. Despite its soft texture, the cheese has a full-bodied flavor that develops as it ages. Neufchâtel is a must-try for anyone who enjoys creamy, spreadable cheeses.
Livarot
Livarot is a soft, washed-rind cheese from Normandy, known for its strong aroma and robust flavor. It’s often referred to as “the Colonel” because of the stripes on its rind, which are formed by wrapping the cheese in strips of rush leaves.
Livarot has a spicy, earthy taste with a slightly tangy finish, making it a favorite among cheese connoisseurs. It’s often paired with cider or full-bodied wines and is perfect for those who enjoy bold, intense flavors.
Livarot may be an acquired taste, but for those who love strong cheeses, it’s a real treat.
Valençay
Valençay is a goat cheese from the Loire Valley, easily recognized by its pyramid shape with a flat top. It has a soft, crumbly texture and a fresh, tangy flavor that becomes more complex as it ages.
The rind is covered in ash, which adds a slightly earthy taste to the cheese. Valençay is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to salads, and it pairs well with a crisp white wine. If you enjoy goat cheese, Valençay is a unique and flavorful option that’s worth trying.
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