French Fromage

7 July 2017

Whether you are travelling to France for work or pleasure you will be sure to make the most of the fine cuisine, and no trip to France is complete without at least one “assiette de fromage”.

Historically, most cultures around the world have produced cheese as a way of preserving dairy products, the French have embraced the foodstuff and continued to build on it. France produces some of the most famous cheeses in the world, who has not tried brie or tasted Roquefort. Cannes has some excellent fromageries where you can taste some of the best cheeses. Ceneri on rue Menadier or the cheese stands in the marche Forville are wonderful places to try some of the finest fromage. If you are are exploring the villages 365 Fromage in Valbonne is a must visit.

The story of cheese in France dates back centuries and even since General de Gaulle pronounced in 1962 “how can you govern a country with 246 varieties of cheese” the number of cheese varieties has continued to grow.

Each region in France produces some form of cheese, and they are diverse in flavours, production and style. In fact there are over 1200 varieties of cheese produced in France, most being made from cow, ewe or goat milk. In fact, France is the second biggest milk producer in Europe and a whopping 36% of that milk is transformed into cheese!

Anyone familiar with French wine and gastronomy will be familiar with seeing the AOC labels. It stands for appellation d’Origine Controle, it is a standard which guarantees that the product is from the region and produced under the accepted methods. The geographical, climatic and farming methods are encouraged to celebrate the traditional production methods. As with wine the ‘terroir’ makes a huge difference on the final product, a creamy brie would be nowhere near the same if it was made in a hot mountainous area.

The northern region of Normandy is a massive dairy farming region and alongside its neighbour Brittany is also famed for producing delicious butter.  The climate (not dissimilar to Wales!) is conducive to growing lush, nutritious grass pastures where the livestock can graze and their creamy milk is turned into soft cheese. Normandy is home to camembert, Neufchâtel and Pont l’Evêque amongst many more.

Moving south you get to the Loire valley, producer of some fine cheeses and plenty of chevre. These are often made in small pieces like the delicious Chabichou and Selles-sur-Cher. This region is known as the garden of France and is home to the most fabulous château and gardens. The landscaped is cris-crossed by rivers which irrigate the land and create perfect grazing pastures, and in turn some wonderful cheeses. 

The east of France is dominated by the Alps. Cheese production here is a way of life and many fans of Alpine winter holidays will be familiar with the strong flavoured hard cheeses that have been developed into delicious mountain specialities.  Fondue Savoyarde, a blend of melted mountain cheese has long been debated as to whether it is a Swiss or French dish, for now we can just say it is delicious whether enjoyed either side of the border. Nuggets of baguette are dipped into the luscious pot of melted Beaufort, Compté, Gruyere, Emmental and white wine. Since the rise in winter sports I the 1950s it has become a popular treat with holidaymakers.

Raclette cheese is another popular mountain treat the pungent cheese is melted and served over boiled potatoes and charcuterie. Traditionally the round cheese would be cut in half and the half-moon would be melted by the fireside. Nowadays raclette machines are a more practical method, the cheese is sliced and melted under a grill in little palettes.

Tartiflette, a rich potato gratin which is smothered in Roblechon cheese, was developed but the producers of Roblechon in the 1980’s to promote flagging sales of the locally produced cheese. So popular now Robelchon I one of France’s best-selling cheeses!

Central and western France produce some fine blue cheeses in the world. Roquefort is easily one of the most well-known (and possibly oldest) the blue veining mould, Penicillium roqueforti, is found in many French cheeses. Not only is it responsible for the flavour, it also provides these cheeses with their unmistakeable odour! Roquefort was the first French cheese to be granted an AOC in 1925.

Cheese is a way of life in France, both to those who make it and the 97% of the French population who eat cheese on a regular basis. There is an etiquette as to how different cheeses should be cut as well as to when they should be served during the meal, Anglophone countries serve it after desert whereas the French will serve it after the main course. Wherever you’re from and whenever you eat your cheese, undoubtedly the most important thing is to enjoy it!