Patrick Oconnell
Paris, the Ville des Fromages, is a cheese lover's paradise. With over a thousand varieties of cheese produced across France, the French capital is the prime location to try as many as possible. From the Loire Valley's days-old fresh goat cheeses to the robust, cave-aged Roqueforts of the southwest, there is a staggering range of cheeses to choose from. Paris is dotted with fromageries (cheese shops) offering a diverse assortment of cheeses, and the shopkeepers are usually more than happy to help you select the perfect one. Whether you're looking for classic options like Camembert and Brie, or more unusual varieties like blue Fourme d'Ambert stuffed with fig jam, Paris has something for every cheese enthusiast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese types in France | 1000+ |
| Number of cheese categories in France | 8 |
| Number of French cheeses classified, protected, and regulated under French law | 56 |
| Common cheese types in Paris | Camembert, Roquefort, Pont l'Évêque, Livarot, Brie de Meaux, Reblochon, Comté, Fourme d'Ambert, Charolais, Brie noir, Langres, Mont d'Or, Mimolette |
| Cheese shops in Paris | Fromagerie Quatrehomme, Paroles de Fromagers, Fromagerie Laurent Dubois, Fromagerie Jouannault, La Fermette, Barthelemy, Le Ferme Saint-Aubin, Androuet, Taka & Vermo, MOF |
| Other places to experience cheese in Paris | Cheese tasting workshops, Restaurants dedicated to cheese, Cheese classes |
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What You'll Learn
Best cheese shops in Paris
Paris, the Ville des Fromages, is a cheese lover's dream. The city is dotted with fromageries, crèmeries, and food stores selling a variety of cheeses. While some of the reputed houses include Laurent Dubois and Androuet, the real magic happens in the smaller, artisanal shops. Here are some of the best cheese shops in Paris:
Fromagerie Quatrehomme
This fromagerie is located on the Rue de Sèvres and Rue de Martyrs, in the heart of an area that has become a destination for foodies. The shop has a smart yet inviting feel, with knowledgeable staff who offer advice but also allow you to explore. They offer a range of classic cheeses as well as innovative specialties like blue Fourme d'Ambert stuffed with fig jam, smoked Charolais aged in Nikka Whisky, and Camembert topped with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate.
Paroles de Fromagers
This fromagerie, run by Romain Ricciardi and Pierre Brisson, is also a cheese school offering English-language classes for both amateurs and professionals. They provide an introduction to cheese and wine tasting, as well as more advanced pairing courses. The shop features an onsite cellar where cheeses age on fragrant spruce boards, and a 17th-century stone tasting room adds to the experience.
Chez Virginie
With two locations in northern Montmartre, this small but captivating fromagerie is surrounded by traiteurs and wine shops. The window display is always filled with a variety of cheeses, some studded with dried fruits and flowers, and others in colourful wrappers.
Fromagerie Jounnault
Located in the Haut Marais on Rue de Bretagne, this fromagerie is a favourite among locals. The staff are helpful and patient, making it a great spot for those who might be less familiar with French cheeses.
Barthélemy
Located on Rue de Montorgueil, this fromagerie is a favourite of Ina Garten's. They offer a wide variety of cheeses, and the small shop experience allows for a more personalised service.
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Cheese and wine pairing
Paris, the Ville des Fromages, is a cheese lover's paradise. With over a thousand varieties of cheese in France, it can be daunting to choose which ones to try. Here is a guide to help you navigate the world of cheese and wine pairing, specifically for cheeses you can find in Paris:
Soft Cheeses
The soft texture of cheeses like Brie and Camembert calls for something sharp and acidic to cut through the richness. Champagne is an excellent choice, as its bright acidity and lively bubbles create a delightful contrast. The brioche notes in traditional Champagnes also add a touch of toastiness to the pairing. If you're looking for a more affordable option, a crisp Provence Rosé will also do the trick. Its delicate red fruit and mellow flavour complement each other gracefully.
Blue Cheeses
When it comes to blue cheeses like Roquefort, a sweet wine is the way to go. Sauternes, with its sweet and acidic notes, is a classic pairing. For something even sweeter, Ice Wine is a good choice, as its high sugar content can stand up to the strong flavour of blue cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try a Moscato d'Asti. Its fresh, acidic fruit will refresh your palate after each bite of pungent blue cheese.
Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses like Gruyère and Comté pair well with medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir. The nutty flavours of these cheeses are accentuated by the red berry fruit notes in the wine, creating a harmonious combination. If you're looking for something a little more robust, try a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Goat Cheeses
Goat cheeses, or chèvres, are a speciality of the Loire Valley. When pairing these cheeses, look for a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's freshness will complement the tangy, slightly salty flavour of the goat cheese without overwhelming it.
Specialty Cheeses
Parisian fromageries offer a variety of specialty cheeses, such as blue cheese stuffed with fig jam or Camembert topped with nuts and dried fruit. When pairing these unique cheeses, consider the dominant flavours and textures. For example, the sweetness of fig jam could be accentuated by a glass of port, while the nuttiness of aged Gouda would be beautifully complemented by a Malbec.
Remember, these are just a few examples of the endless cheese and wine pairings you can explore in Paris. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your own favourites!
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Differences in French and US cheese
France is known for its cheeses, with estimates of the number of varieties ranging from 1,200 to 1,600. French cheeses are categorised into les huit familles de fromage, or the eight families of cheese. In Paris, the best places to sample cheese are the fromageries, or cheese shops. The city's restaurants and cheese classes are also great places to indulge in the country's most illustrious dairy product.
French cheese is distinct from its American counterpart in several ways. Firstly, French cheese is often made with raw milk, which contributes to its unique flavour and quality. Under French AOC regulations, many French cheeses are required by law to use raw milk. This differs from the US, where laws prohibit the use of unpasteurised cheese. As a result, French cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort have versions available in the US, but they lack the same distinct flavour and quality as those found in France.
Another difference lies in the variety and availability of fresh milk. In France, it is uncommon to find fresh milk in markets or supermarkets, whereas in the US, fresh milk is readily available. Instead, the French tend to rely on cheese as their primary source of calcium and other nutrients.
The way cheese is classified and regulated also differs between the two countries. France has a classification system called Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), which protects and regulates the quality and origin of its cheeses. Roquefort, for example, obtained the first-ever AOC in France in 1925 and is required by law to be ripened in the natural caves of Mont Combalou in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon to be considered authentic. In contrast, the US has its own grading system for cheese, which may not place the same emphasis on origin and traditional production methods.
Lastly, the French approach to cheese involves a deep appreciation for the craft and culture surrounding it. The French take the time to visit their local cheesemongers, savouring the experience and enjoying the diverse flavours and textures that French cheeses offer. This cultural appreciation for cheese is reflected in the variety and quality of cheeses produced in France, making it a delightful destination for cheese enthusiasts.
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Cheese-focused tours in Paris
Paris, the Ville des Fromages, is a cheese lover's dream. With over 250 fromageries in the city, there is no shortage of cheese to sample and enjoy. For those looking to immerse themselves in the world of French cheese, Paris offers a variety of cheese-focused tours that promise an educational and delicious experience.
One popular option is the Cheese Explosion tour by Paris by Mouth, which takes visitors on a culinary adventure through the city's top-rated bakeries, cheese shops, and wine shops. Led by knowledgeable guides like Jennifer and Neil, the tour offers an intimate and fun way to discover French cheese and wine. The group sizes are small, ensuring a personalised experience as you wander through the cobblestoned streets of Paris.
For those seeking a more in-depth exploration of cheese and wine pairing, Paroles de Fromagers offers a unique experience. The 1.5-hour Introduction to Cheese and Wine course takes place in an airy fromagerie and a 17th-century stone tasting room. Here, you will learn the art of cheese and wine pairing, sampling seven cheeses and three wines guided by an English-speaking fromager.
If you're looking for a more active tour, the guided walking tour of Montmartre is a great option. This tour combines cheese and wine tasting with a stroll through the charming neighbourhood of Montmartre. You'll visit eight food shops, tasting fresh cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, and chocolate, all while exploring the iconic Parisian ambiance of this historic quarter.
Another highly-rated option is the Cheese and Wine Tasting in a Private Paris Cheese Cellar. This unusual tour takes place among the aging cheeses in a master affineur's cellar. You'll don protective clothing and taste some of France's most famous cheeses while learning about their history, lore, and production techniques.
Whether you're a novice or a connoisseur, these cheese-focused tours in Paris offer something for everyone. With knowledgeable guides, intimate settings, and an abundance of delicious cheese, you're sure to leave with a deeper appreciation of French cheese and the culture that surrounds it.
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Types of French cheese
France is home to over a thousand varieties of cheese, and Paris is the prime location to try as many as possible. There are eight categories of cheeses in France, called les huit familles de fromage, and fifty-six of these are classified, protected, and regulated under French law.
One of the first cheeses people associate with France is Camembert, which hails from Normandy, the northwestern tip of France. The region's plentiful rain, gentle sun, and humidity produce the nutritious grass on which Normandy cows feed. The milk is the foundation for the famous Normandy butter, cream, and its noble cheeses Pont l'Évêque, Livarot, and Camembert. The aroma of Camembert should be slightly mouldy, and the taste full-bodied and salty.
The region of Brie, 130 miles east of Paris, also has a long tradition of cheesemaking. When Brie de Meaux is aged and ready, at least 50% of its thickness is ripened. This is a refined cheese with a gentle aroma—the rind has a white velvet mould, and when it is very ripe, the top and sides will turn slightly red. The interior texture is compact and the colour of yellow straw. The traditional raw milk versions of Brie found in France taste more like garlicky roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli-cheese soup.
Another classic French cheese is Comté, aged by renowned affineur (cheese ager) Marcel Petite. One of the three best blue cheeses in the world is Roquefort, which has a clean, forceful flavour and should melt in your mouth with a pleasurable aftertaste of mould and salt. It is considered one of the world's best blue cheeses, alongside Stilton and Gorgonzola.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Quatrehomme boutique on Rue de Sèvres offers house specialties like blue Fourme d'Ambert stuffed with fig jam, Camembert mendiant topped with nuts, dried fruit, and a touch of chocolate, and smoked Charolais aged in Nikka Whisky.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many cheese shops in Paris, but some recommended ones are Fromagerie Laurent Dubois, Fromagerie Quatrehomme, Paroles de Fromagers, La Fermette, and Fromagerie Jouannault.
France has over a thousand varieties of cheese, but some classics include Camembert, Roquefort, Pont l'Évêque, Livarot, Brie de Meaux, and Comté.
Be open-minded and humble when entering a fromagerie, as the shopkeepers are usually happy to help fellow cheese enthusiasts. Let the cheesemonger guide you by telling them what other foods and wines you plan to serve with the cheese. Don't be afraid to ask for a taste!
French cheese is often paired with wine, crackers, or a baguette from a local boulangerie. You can also enjoy a cheese plate or make a cheeseboard with a variety of cheeses.
U.S. law requires that all cheese younger than 60 days be made with pasteurized milk, which can affect the flavor. Traditional raw milk versions of cheeses like Brie can taste very different in France compared to the US, where it is often milder and tastes more like butter.
