France has an array of amazing cheeses from all over the country, sure to satisfy even the pickiest of palates. From Brie to Camembert and from Raclette to Reblochon.
Each cheese has its unique flavor, texture, and appearance that will add to any meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
However, If you’re looking to try something new with your cheese this season, here are different types of cheese in France that you need to try!
No matter what kind of cheese you enjoy, you’ll find a wide variety of French cheeses on your visit to France.
Here are some of the most popular different types of French cheese that you can look forward to tasting. At the same time, you are in the country’s cheese regions, like the Loire Valley and Île-de-France.
Table of Contents
- Rochebaron
- Munster
- Camembert
- Bleu de chèvre
- Saint-Nectaire
- Époisses
- Saint Albray
- Cabécou
- Coutances
- Picodon
- Cathare
- Brin d’Amour
- Bouton de culotte
- Raclette de Savoie
- Etorki
- Gouda
- Bresse Bleu
- Brie de Meaux
- Crottin de Chavignol
- Saint-Paulin
- Brocciu Corse
- Coeur de Chevre
- Les Étoiles
- Tomme de Savoie
- Petit-Suisse
- While petit-Suisse
- Faisselle
- Brie de Melun
- Carré de l’Est
- Bûcheron
- Neufchâtel
- Coulommiers
- Buche de Chevre
- Bleu d’Auvergne
- Chaumes
- Mimolette
- Saint Agur
- Caprice des Dieux
- Le Brin
- Ossau-Iraty
- Port Salut
- Saint-Félicien
- Cancoillotte
- Saint-André
Rochebaron
Rochebaron is a soft, creamy cheese from the Auvergne region of France. It has a different mild type of cheese in France, with a nutty flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. Nevertheless, this cheese is often used in recipes that call for Gruyere or Emmental.
Munster
Munster is a type of cheese made in France’s Alsace region. It is a different soft type of cheese in France washed-rind cheese with a strong, pungent flavor.
Moreover, Munster is often eaten with crusty bread and pickled vegetables. Munster is a cow’s milk cheese from the Alsace region of northeastern France. It has a strong, pungent flavor and creamy texture.
Camembert
Camembert is a French cheese that originated in Normandy. And it is also one of the most common different types of cheese in France.
Bleu de chèvre
This cheese is made from unpasteurized goat’s milk and has a natural blue-gray mold that gives it its distinctive color among different types of cheese in France. The flavor is earthy and tangy, with a slightly nutty taste. It’s often used in salads or as a topping for crackers.
Saint-Nectaire
France is known for its cheese, and there are more than 1,000 different types of cheese in France. That’s a lot of cheese to choose from! If you want to try some of the best, here is another cheese you need to try.
Furthermore, It is a soft, creamy cheese named after the village it comes from in Auvergne. It has a nutty flavor and a slightly earthy smell.
Époisses
Époisses is a washed-rind cheese from the village of Époisses in Burgundy, France. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and is soft, creamy, and savory.
Also, It has a reddish-orange rind covered in a white mold. The flavor of Époisses is intense and salty compared with other different types of cheese in France with hints of sweetness.
Saint Albray
France is home to some of the world’s best cheese, and Saint Albray is no exception. This soft, creamy cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor.
This is to say, It’s perfect for spreading on crusty bread or crackers or for melting into your favorite recipes of different types of cheese in France.
Cabécou
Cabécou is a small, disk-shaped goat cheese that originates from the southwestern region of France. The name comes from the Occitan word for head, which is a reference to the cheese’s small size.
More so, cabécou has a soft, creamy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Suppose you are looking for what to pair with your different types of cheese in France. It pairs well with fruit and white wines.
Coutances
This cheese is made in the Normandy region of France and has a soft, creamy texture. It’s a white cheese that’s often used in salads or as a spread. This cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has a robust and nutty flavor.
Notwithstanding, It’s a hard cheese that’s perfect for grating over pasta or using in recipes for different types of cheese in France. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, sweet flavor.
It’s a semisoft cheese that can be used in cooking or eaten on its own. This cheese is made from goat’s milk and has a tangy, slightly acidic flavor.
Picodon
Picodon is a small, round goat cheese from the Drôme region of southeastern France. It has a tart, lemony flavor and a slightly crumbly texture compared to other different types of cheese in France.
Cathare
If you’re a fan of cheese, you’ll want to try some of the best that France offers the different types of cheese in France. From creamy Brie to nutty Gruyere, there’s a French cheese for everyone.
Brin d’Amour
If you’re a fan of cheese, then you’ll want to try some of the best that France offers. From creamy Brie to pungent Roquefort, there’s French cheese for every taste.
In addition, they are one the most popular types of cheese in France that you should sample on your next trip to the country.
Bouton de culotte
Bouton de culotte is one of the different types of cheese in France that originates from the Auvergne region in central France. The name of the cheese means the button of trousers and is said to date back to the 18th century.
In contrast, the cheese is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture with a slightly nutty flavor. Bouton de culotte is often used in cooking, as it melts well and can be used in sauces, gratins, and other dishes.
Also, If you’re looking to try a truly unique cheese, then look no further than bouton de culotte!
Raclette de Savoie
Raclette de Savoie is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from the French Alps. The name raclette comes from the verb racler, which means to scrape.
Similarly, this cheese is usually made into a raclette dish, where the melted cheese is scraped onto potatoes and other vegetables. Raclette de Savoie has a nutty flavor and can be used in different dishes of different types of cheese in France.
Etorki
Etorki is a Basque cheese that’s reasonably new to the scene, having only been created in the 1970s. It’s a semi-hard cheese with a mild flavor and a slightly nutty taste. Etorki is perfect for those who are looking for softer cheese.
Gouda
Gouda is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, and it’s no surprise that it’s also among the different popular types of cheese in France. It is a Dutch cheese named after the Gouda city in the Netherlands.
All in all, It’s a semisoft cheese with a sweet, nutty flavor. Gouda is perfect for those who are looking for a more precious cheese.
Bresse Bleu
Bresse Bleu is a cow’s milk cheese from the Bresse region of France. The cheese has a mild, nutty flavor and a creamy texture. It is often used in salads and sandwiches.
Brie de Meaux
Brie de Meaux is a cow’s milk cheese from the Meaux region of France. The cheese has a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, creamy texture compared to other types of cheese in France. Nonetheless, It is often used in appetizers and desserts.
Crottin de Chavignol
Crottin de Chavignol is a small, cylindrical goat cheese from the Loire Valley in France. The cheese is made from unpasteurized goat’s milk and has a natural, earthy flavor among different types of cheese in France.
Above all, the texture of Crottin de Chavignol is firm and crumbly, and the cheese ranges in color from white to pale yellow. Crottin de Chavignol is best enjoyed with a glass of red wine or a crusty baguette.
Saint-Paulin
If you’re a fan of cheese, then you’ll want to try some of the best different types of cheese in France that France has to offer. From Camembert to Saint-Paulin. Meanwhile, there’s a cheese for everyone’s taste.
Brocciu Corse
This Corsican cheese is made from the milk of ewes that graze on the island’s maquis. The cheese is white, creamy, and smooth, with a slightly nutty flavor.
Nevertheless, It’s often used in savory dishes like omelets and gratins. But it can also be enjoyed on its own as different types of cheese in France.
Coeur de Chevre
A soft, mild cheese made from goat’s milk. Coeur de Chevre is an excellent introduction to France’s different types of cheese.
However, the name means the goat’s heart, and this cheese is often shaped into a heart. Serve it with crusty bread and a glass of white wine for a perfect snack.
Les Étoiles
This variety is made with unpasteurized milk and has a strong flavor compared to different types of cheese in France.
Tomme de Savoie
Tomme de Savoie is a type of cheese produced in France’s Savoie region. It is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor.
Notwithstanding, this cheese is semi-soft and has a natural rind. Tomme de Savoie is a great cheese to enjoy with a glass of red wine and different cheese types in France.
Petit-Suisse
Petit-Suisse is a type of cheese made in France that is typically mild and creamy different types of cheese in France. It can be eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in recipes.
Also, Some of the most popular dishes that feature petit-Suisse include quiche lorraine, gratins, and tartes flambees.
While petit-Suisse
While petit-Suisse is often enjoyed on its own, it can also be paired with fruit, crackers, or bread. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
However, petit-Suisse is an excellent option if you want to try different types of cheese in France. It’s perfect for those who are exploring the world of French cheese for the first time.
Faisselle
Faisselle is a type of cheese that’s often found in France. It’s a soft cheese that’s made from cow’s milk. Mainly, the cheese is white and has a mild flavor. Faisselle is often used in salads or as a spread on bread.
Brie de Melun
Brie de Melun is a soft cheese that originated in the Île-de-France region. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a slightly nutty flavor. Brie de Melun is often selected from different types of cheese in France for making sandwiches.
Carré de l’Est
Carré de l’Est is a type of cheese that is made in the eastern part of France. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a strong flavor.
It is often used in dishes such as gratin and soups. If you are looking for flavored solid different types of cheese in France, then Carré de l’Est is a good choice.
Bûcheron
Bûcheron is a different type of cheese in France that originates from the Loire Valley in France. It’s a soft, unpasteurized cheese in France made from goat’s milk.
The rind is usually coated in ash, which gives the cheese its distinctive flavor. Bûcheron is often used in salads or as a topping on crackers.
Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel is a soft, creamy cheese from France’s Normandy region. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a slightly nutty flavor.
Neufchâtel is often used in baking, as it melts well and adds creaminess to recipes. Some popular dishes that feature Neufchâtel include French onion soup and quiche Lorraine.
Coulommiers
Coulommiers is a soft, creamy cheese from France’s Coulommiers region. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor. Coulommiers are often used in recipes that call for Brie, as it has a similar texture and taste.
Buche de Chevre
Buche de Chevre is a type of cheese that originates from the Loire Valley in France. It’s made from 100% goat’s milk and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor.
Therefore, the texture of Buche de Chevre is smooth and creamy, making it an excellent cheese for spreading on bread or crackers.
If you’re looking for different types of cheese in France to add to your next charcuterie board, Buche de Chevre is a great option!
Bleu d’Auvergne
Auvergne is a region in central France known for its mountains and volcanoes. The cheese, Bleu d’Auvergne, is named after the Auvergne region.
It is a blue cheese that is made from cow’s milk. The milk is pasteurized and then inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti.
Nonetheless, the cheese is then aged for three to four weeks. During this time, the cheese develops its blue veining. The final product is a creamy, crumbly cheese with a strong flavor.
Chaumes
Chaumes is a cheese that originates from the southwestern region of France. It is made from cow’s milk and has a strong, pungent flavor among different types of cheese in France.
The texture of Chaumes is crumbly, and the color ranges from yellow to orange. This cheese is often used in dishes such as gratins and omelets.
Mimolette
Mimolette is a cheese that originates from the French city of Lille. The cheese was first made in the 17th century and was initially known as Boulette de Lille. The name was later changed to Mimolette, after the French word for mild or soft.
In other words, the cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor, unlike different types of cheese in France. It is often used in dishes such as gratins and omelets.
Saint Agur
Saint Agur is a cheese from the Auvergne region in central France. This area is known for its volcanic soil, which gives the cheese its unique flavor. Besides, the cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a strong, pungent taste. It is often used in recipes that call for strong-flavored cheese.
Caprice des Dieux
Caprice des Dieux is a cheese that originates from the French Alps. It’s a soft, creamy cheese perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.
It has a mild flavor making it versatile enough to be used in various dishes. If you’re looking for different types of cheese in France to add to your collection, Caprice des Dieux is an excellent option.
Le Brin
Le Brin is a cheese that originates from the southwestern region of France. It is made from pasteurized sheep’s milk and has a natural rind.
The cheese is soft and creamy with a mild flavor. Le Brin is great for both cooking and eating on its own. Le brin is added to some of the other popular different types of cheese in France.
Ossau-Iraty
Ossau-Iraty is a cheese that is made in the Basque region of France. A sheep’s milk cheese has a mild, nutty flavor. Above all, this cheese pairs well with red wines and can be used in cooked and uncooked cheese types in France.
Port Salut
Port Salut is a different type of cheese in France that originates from the town of Lons-le-Saunier in the Jura Mountains. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor.
Although Port Salut is a semi-soft cheese that has an orange-red rind and a creamy texture, the cheese gets its name from the fact that Trappist monks initially made it.
Saint-Félicien
Saint-Félicien is one of the different types of cheese in France that originates from the Savoie region in the French Alps. The cheese is made from cows’ milk grazed on the high mountain pastures.
In short, Saint-Félicien has a smooth, creamy texture and a nutty flavor. This cheese pairs well with white wines such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Cancoillotte
Cancoillotte is a soft, spreadable cheese from France’s Franche-Comté region. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a slightly tangy flavor.
On the other hand, Cancoillotte is often used as a dipping sauce or spread on top of bread or crackers. Some of the most popular types of cheese in France brands of cancoillotte include L’Isle Adam and La Vache Qui Rit.
Saint-André
Saint-André is a cheese that originates from the north of France. It’s a soft, creamy cheese that’s often used in baking. Some say it resembles Brie, but it has a more robust flavor.
Saint-André is made from cow’s milk and has a white rind. The production process starts with unpasteurized milk, which goes through two rounds of coagulation before becoming curds.
In detail, these different types of cheese in France are then cooked and pressed into forms. Before being immersed in brine for at least three weeks, create the characteristic white rind.
Conclusion
While there are hundreds of types of cheese made in France, these are some of the most popular, ranging from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly. Each different type of cheese in France has a distinct flavor that can be enjoyed in various ways.
So, next time you’re looking for a new cheese to try, give one of these French favorites a taste.