Top 10 French Cheese You Absolutely Must Taste

France is synonymous with cheese — a country that boasts over 1,000 varieties, each with its own rich history and unique flavor profile. If you’re a cheese lover or simply curious about French gastronomy, here’s a list of the top 10 French cheeses you should definitely try on your culinary journey.

French Cheese Board

1. Comté

Originating from the Jura region, Comté is a semi-hard cheese made from unpasteurised cow’s milk. Aged for anywhere between 4 months to over a year, it offers a complex, nutty flavor and sometimes a touch of fruitiness. It’s fantastic on its own, or paired with crusty bread and a glass of white wine.

2. Tomme de Brebis

Tomme de Brebis is a sheep’s milk cheese mostly produced in the Pyrenees. With a rustic, slightly earthy rind. Perfect for cheese boards, it’s a hidden gem.

3. Camembert

Perhaps the most famous French cheese worldwide, Camembert hails from Normandy. This soft, creamy cheese has a white, bloomy rind and a rich, buttery interior. When perfectly ripe, Camembert melts in your mouth!

4. Cancoillotte

A lesser-known but beloved cheese from the Franche-Comté region, Cancoillotte is a runny, melted cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a distinctive aroma and a smooth, creamy texture. Often served warm, spread on boiled potatoes or bread, it’s a comforting, flavorful delight.

5. Roquefort

Known as the “King of Blue Cheeses,” Roquefort is made from sheep’s milk and aged in limestone caves in the South of France. It boasts a strong, tangy flavor with salty, sharp blue veins throughout. Roquefort pairs beautifully with walnuts, pears, or a glass of sweet dessert wine.

6. Brie de Meaux

From the Île-de-France region, Brie de Meaux is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavor that becomes more robust as it ages. It has a bloomy white rind and is often enjoyed as part of a classic French cheese platter.

7. Reblochon

A soft, washed-rind cheese from the Savoie region, Reblochon has a creamy texture with a nutty, slightly fruity flavor. It’s famously used in the hearty Alpine dish Tartiflette, combining potatoes, bacon, and melted cheese.

8. Munster

Originating in Alsace and Lorraine, Munster is a washed-rind cheese with a strong aroma and a smooth, tangy taste. It pairs well with cumin seeds and crusty bread, and is often enjoyed with a robust red wine.

9. Chèvre (Goat Cheese)

France produces many types of Chèvre, or goat cheese, ranging from fresh and mild to aged and crumbly. Goat cheese are fantastic in salads or simply enjoyed with bread.

10. Époisses

From Burgundy, Époisses is a washed-rind cheese washed in Marc de Bourgogne (a local brandy), which gives it a pungent aroma and a rich, creamy interior. It’s a bold choice for adventurous palates and pairs well with rustic bread and red wine.

How to Enjoy French Cheese

When tasting French cheese, try to enjoy it at room temperature to fully appreciate the flavors and textures. Pair your cheese with crusty baguettes, fresh fruit, a salad, nuts, and appropriate wines for an authentic experience.