Cheeses from France
A guide to cheeses from France, highlighting the country's most notable and diverse varieties.
Abbaye de Belloc
Abbaye de Belloc is a semi-hard, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk in the Pays Basque region of France. It is known for its smooth, yellow interior and natural rind. The cheese offers a flavor profile reminiscent of burnt caramel, providing a rich and slightly sweet taste. Its aroma is characterized by a lanoline scent, typical of sheep's milk cheeses. Abbaye de Belloc is traditionally produced by monks, adding a sense of history and craftsmanship to each wheel. Enjoy it on its own or as part of a cheese platter to appreciate its unique taste and texture.
Abbaye de Belval
Abbaye de Belval is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk in France. It has a fat content ranging from 40-46%, contributing to its rich and creamy texture. The cheese has an aromatic scent, which is complemented by its washed rind. Its ivory color indicates a smooth and inviting interior. The flavor is typically mild yet savory, offering a satisfying taste experience. Abbaye de Belval is often enjoyed on its own or paired with bread and fruit.
Abbaye de Citeaux
Abbaye de Citeaux is a semi-soft cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the Burgundy region of France. It is crafted by monks at the Abbaye de Cîteaux, giving it a traditional and artisanal touch. The cheese has a smooth and milky flavor with a slight acidity, making it both creamy and refreshing. Its washed rind contributes to a barnyardy, earthy aroma that complements its mild taste. The cheese is white in color and has a brined texture, which adds to its moist and supple quality. Enjoyed best on its own or with simple accompaniments, Abbaye de Citeaux is a testament to the rich cheesemaking heritage of France.
Abbaye de Tamié
Made by Trappist monks in the French Alps, Abbaye de Tamié is a semi-soft cheese with a smooth, creamy texture. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor, enhanced by a rind that is washed in brine during the aging process. The cheese is produced from the unpasteurized milk of local cows, reflecting the rich, grassy flavors of the Alpine pastures.
Abondance
Abondance is a traditional French cheese from the Haute-Savoie region, easily recognized by its firm texture and concave wheel shape. Made from raw cow's milk, it matures for at least three months, developing a creamy, slightly nutty flavor. Its rind, washed during aging, contributes a subtle, earthy aroma.
Aisy Cendre
Aisy Cendre is a semi-soft, smear-ripened cheese from Burgundy, France, made from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a washed rind and a white interior. The cheese delivers a full-flavored profile with salty, smoky, and herb-like elements. Its aroma is earthy and nutty with a hint of smokiness. With a fat content of 50%, it offers a rich, creamy texture. Known also as Cendre d'Aisy or Ashen Aisy, this cheese is appreciated for its balanced taste and smooth consistency.
Alpicrème
Alpicrème is a soft cheese from France made with goat's milk. It features a bloomy rind that develops during an aging process of 30 days to 3 months. The cheese has a creamy and smooth texture, making it easy to spread. Its flavor is mild and slightly tangy, with the characteristic earthiness that comes from goat's milk. The aging process enhances its flavors, giving it a more pronounced taste over time. Alpicrème is often enjoyed on a cheese platter or paired with a crusty baguette.
Amalthée
Amalthée is a soft, soft-ripened cheese made from goat's milk in the Charentes-Poitou region of France. It has a bloomy rind that gives it a characteristic appearance. The cheese offers a mild and sweet flavor with grassy notes, making it a gentle introduction to goat cheeses for those who are new to them. Its aroma is a pleasant mix of goaty and grassy scents, also carrying a hint of sweetness. The soft texture makes it easy to spread on bread or crackers. Enjoy Amalthée as part of a cheese platter or as a simple snack.
Ami du Chambertin
Ami du Chambertin is a semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk in the Gevrey-Chambertin region of Burgundy, France. It can be crafted from either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk and has a fat content of 45%. The cheese is known for its creamy, buttery texture and sharp flavor, making it a rich addition to any cheese board. Its white interior is encased in a washed rind, which contributes to its distinct taste. Often enjoyed with a crusty baguette or paired with a glass of Burgundy wine, Ami du Chambertin offers a taste of traditional French cheesemaking.
Amou
Amou is a firm sheep's milk cheese from the village of Amou in the Gascony region of France. Made with unpasteurized milk, it has a fat content of 45%, giving it a rich and creamy texture despite its firmness. The cheese features a golden yellow color and is known for its mild, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness. It pairs well with crusty bread and fruits, making it a popular choice for cheese platters. Amou can also be enjoyed on its own or as part of a simple meal. Known by other names like l'Amou and Amu, it reflects the traditional cheesemaking practices of its region.
Anneau du Vic-Bilh
Anneau du Vic-Bilh is a soft cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques region of France. This artisan cheese is notable for its white color and ring shape. It has a creamy texture and a flavor profile that is acidic, nutty, salty, and smoky. The aroma mirrors its flavor, with earthy and nutty notes complemented by a smoky scent. With a fat content of 45%, Anneau du Vic-Bilh provides a rich experience, often enjoyed on its own or with simple accompaniments to highlight its natural flavors.
Ardi Gasna
Ardi Gasna is a traditional cheese from the Midi-Pyrénées region of France, made from whole sheep's milk. It has a hard texture, typical of artisan cheeses, and is characterized by its mild, nutty, and sharp flavor profile. The cheese is pale yellow in color, and its washed rind contributes to its fresh aroma. With a fat content of 45%, Ardi Gasna offers a rich and satisfying taste experience, making it a popular choice for cheese enthusiasts. It is well-suited for enjoying on its own or as part of a cheese board, complementing a variety of accompaniments.
Aromes au Gene de Marc
Aromes au Gene de Marc is a semi-soft artisan cheese from the RhĂ´ne-Alpes region of France. Made from a blend of unpasteurized cow's and goat's milk, it has a fat content of 25%. The cheese has a strong flavor that pairs well with its fermented, pungent aroma. Its natural rind and white interior present a rustic appearance. Known for its bold taste, Aromes au Gene de Marc offers a rich experience for those who enjoy intensely flavored cheeses. It is often enjoyed on its own or accompanied by simple breads to balance its strength.
Aubisque Pyrenees
Aubisque Pyrenees is a semi-hard cheese from the Béarnaise region in Pyrénées-Atlantique, France. Made from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk, this cheese offers a mild and smooth flavor that is easy on the palate. Its natural rind adds a rustic touch, making it visually appealing. The combination of milk types gives it a balanced taste that's creamy yet not overpowering. Aubisque Pyrenees is perfect for those who enjoy a gentle cheese experience, making it a great addition to a cheese board or a simple snack. Its texture and flavor make it versatile for pairing with a variety of foods and wines.
Autun
Autun is a fresh, soft cheese made from a blend of cow's and goat's milk, originating in the Burgundy region of France. It is crafted from unpasteurized milk, allowing it to retain a natural and authentic taste. With a fat content of 40-45%, the cheese has a creamy, yet light texture. Autun is rindless and presents a clean, white appearance. Its flavor is characterized by a pleasant acidity that provides a refreshing taste experience. Due to its artisan nature, Autun is often enjoyed fresh and can be paired with simple accompaniments to highlight its bright flavors.
Babybel
Babybel is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk in France. It is easily recognizable by its signature red wax coating, which helps preserve its freshness. The cheese itself is smooth and creamy with a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Its texture is firm but not overly hard, making it a popular choice for snacking. Babybel is often enjoyed on its own but can also be paired with fruits or crackers. Its convenient size and packaging make it easy to pack for lunches or picnics.
Baby Brie
Baby Brie is a soft cheese from France made from pasteurized cow's milk. It features a creamy texture and a mild flavor that appeals to many cheese lovers. The cheese has a cream-colored interior with a bloomy rind, which adds to its aromatic profile. Often referred to as Petit Brie or Mini Brie, this cheese is a smaller version of the traditional Brie, making it perfect for individual servings or small gatherings. Its soft texture and mild taste make it a crowd-pleaser, suitable for pairing with fruits, nuts, or a fresh baguette.
Baguette Laonnaise
Baguette Laonnaise is a French cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. Originating from the regions of Ile-de-France and Champagne, this cheese has a soft, artisan texture. It features a washed rind, which contributes to its pungent aroma. The cheese is pale yellow in color and has a spicy flavor profile. With a fat content of 28.50%, it offers a creamy and rich experience. Known also as Baguette Lyonnaise, this cheese is a flavorful addition to any cheese board.
Banon
Banon comes from Provence, France, and is distinguished by its unique packaging—wrapped in chestnut leaves and tied with raffia. Made from goat’s milk, this soft cheese has a creamy texture and a fruity, slightly tart flavor that is enhanced by the tannins from the leaves, which also impart a subtle woody aroma.
Barberey
Barberey is a French cheese originating from Troyes in the Aube region. Made from skimmed cow's milk, it has a fat content ranging between 20-30%, resulting in a soft texture. The cheese offers a pungent and woody flavor profile, while its aroma remains mild. It features a natural rind, which contributes to its overall character. Also known as ash trojan or cheese Troyes, Barberey is a distinct choice for those who appreciate stronger flavors in their cheese selection.