A journey to Paris is incomplete without a trip to a fromagerie, a cheese shop overflowing with decadent delights. France has been crafting exceptional cheese for over a millennium, with the earliest cheesemakers being monks in the 7th century! The sheer variety of cheeses available is mind-boggling, from the robust nutty and fruity Mimolette to the meltingly delicious Mont d’Or.
Navigating the Cheese Labyrinth
Walking into a Parisian cheese shop can be an overwhelming experience, but don’t be intimidated! Most cheese shop owners are passionate about their craft and eager to share their knowledge with cheese enthusiasts like you. Remember to approach your cheese quest with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to try something new. With a little guidance, you’ll leave with a treasure trove of delicious cheese to enjoy during your Parisian picnics and adventures.
The Unique Flavors of French Cheese
Many French cheeses are not found in the United States, making a visit to a Parisian cheese shop feel like a journey into a cheese museum. Remember to admire the cheese, but resist the urge to touch! The flavors of familiar cheeses will also differ in France due to the use of raw milk. Unlike in the US, where cheese under 60 days old must be made with pasteurized milk, French cheesemakers embrace the unique flavors of unpasteurized milk, creating a sensory experience unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Embrace the Unfamiliar: A World of Flavor
Even seasoned cheese connoisseurs may find themselves out of their depth in a Parisian cheese shop. Be prepared to expand your palate and try cheeses that might seem unconventional. Don’t shy away from blue mold on cheeses other than Roquefort. Many French cheese lovers appreciate the subtle peppery notes of blue mold in cheeses like Rochebaron.
Raw milk cheeses often develop a barnyard-like aroma that some may find unappealing. However, this “barnyard” flavor is often a desirable characteristic. Don’t judge a cheese by its smell! Give it a chance to surprise you.
Discovering the Treasures of Parisian Fromageries
Cheese enthusiasts will revel in the opportunity to find unpasteurized versions of beloved cheeses like Reblochon and Saint-Marcellin, not available in the US. However, don’t forget to try cheeses you think you know but labeled “lait cru” (raw milk). The flavors will be transformed, revealing new depths of taste and texture.
Look for the word “fermier” on the cheese label, signifying a farmstead cheese. These cheeses, made with milk from animals on the same farm where the cheese is produced, offer unique and complex flavors.
A World of Animal Milks
French cheesemakers utilize various animal milks, each contributing a unique flavor profile to the cheese. “De chevre” indicates goat’s milk, known for its tangy and mineral notes. “De vache” signifies cow’s milk, producing a familiar flavor with a deeper, grassier quality than its American counterparts. Sheep’s milk, labeled “de brebis”, results in a richer, more brothy or gamey flavor.
Seasonal Delights: A Changing Palate
Just like produce, cheese has a seasonality. Goats give birth in the early spring, resulting in a surge of fresh goat cheeses during this time. Enjoy fresh Brie-style goat cheeses, often garnished with flowers, herbs, and fruits.
In the winter months, cows are moved to barns and their diet changes from fresh grass to hay. While milk production decreases, the fat and protein content increases, leading to seasonal variations in cheesemaking recipes.
Top Cheese Shops in Paris
Paris is home to numerous exceptional cheese shops, each with its unique charm and selection. Here are five must-visit fromageries:
1. Androuet: Founded in 1909, Androuet is a pioneer in the modern cheese shop concept, with seven locations across the city. Their selection is vast, including not only a wide range of cheeses but also accompaniments like cornichons, jams, crackers, and wine.
2. Barthélémy: Nicole Barthélémy’s shop has been a Parisian institution for over 50 years, renowned for its selection of rare cheeses. Ina Garten herself considers this her favorite cheese shop in Paris.
3. Fromagerie Laurent Dubois: Several chic locations offer a curated selection of cheeses with unique flavors. Don’t miss the Camembert Pomcalva, a Camembert soaked in Calvados, giving it a delightful apple flavor.
4. Chez Virginie: Virginie Boularouah’s two shops near Sacre Coeur are cheese havens, showcasing 150 varieties of raw milk cheeses. The shops are beautifully curated, with no surface left uncovered.
5. Taka & Vermo: Laure Takahashi brings Japanese inspiration to her cheese creations, offering unique flavors like goat cheese topped with confit yuzu and Gruyère with cardamom-y woodruff leaves.
Cheese Etiquette in Paris
Remember: Look, don’t touch! Treat the cheese displays as works of art. The staff at these fromageries are happy to help you navigate the selection, offering recommendations and answering your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about cheeses you love or dislike. However, if there’s a long line, be mindful of time and keep things moving.
Cheese shopkeepers are passionate about their craft and love helping customers find their dream cheeses. Most are happy to offer samples, as long as it doesn’t compromise the cheese’s shape or quality. All fromageries can vacuum seal your cheese, ensuring its freshness and flavor.
Beyond the Cheese Counter: Completing the Parisian Cheese Experience
Once you’ve chosen your cheese, don’t forget the essentials for a perfect Parisian cheese picnic. Grab some crackers from the cheese shop or head to a nearby boulangerie for a fresh baguette. Wine shops (cavistes) also often offer non-alcoholic drinks, like pressed juices, kombucha, and alcohol-free beer.
Pack your cheese and accompaniments and venture out to one of Paris’s many squares, along the Seine or Canal Saint-Martin, or the Champ-de-Mars for an Eiffel Tower view. Enjoy your cheese feast!
This article was originally published in 2018 and most recently updated on July 23, 2024, with current information.
