To celebrate Bastille Day and all things French, take your friends and family on a tour of France with a selection of cheese from four distinct regions of France.
There are over 350 distinct types of cheese hailing from France, each one inextricably tied to its place of origin. When curating a cheese board for your Bastille Day feast or picnic, choose cheeses from specific places in France. You can even include a little French flag or label with interesting facts about each spot.
Let’s take a quick trip to some of our favorite places in France and their mouthwatering cheeses. Bon voyage!
Auvergne: Bleu D'Auvergne AOC
A creamy ivory colored cheese with distinct veins of blue-green mold, this assertive blue is named after its point of origin, Auvergne. Located in central France, Auvergne has a grand reputation for its natural wonders. Made up of breathtaking mountains and valleys, locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, cycling, and an abundance of mineral water hot springs. This cheese is pungent and a bit salty. Perfect in salads, served with crackers, or paired with a sweet Riesling. NOTE: When you see the acronym AOC on some French cheeses, that stands for “appellation d'origine contrôlée,” indicating the designations of geographical origin for traditional cheeses.
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Loire Valley: Brie from Rodolphe Le Meunier
Made in the Loire Valley, Brie-Petit is handcrafted by Rodolphe Le Meunier, known as the Best Cheesemonger in France. This creamy, subtle Brie truly highlights his master craftsmanship and is a special addition to any cheese board.
The Loire Valley is brimming with gorgeous vineyards, imposing chateaus, famous cycling routes, and yes, famous cheeses. Located in central France along the lush Loire River, this region, an enormous Unesco World Heritage Site, will surely exceed any visitors’ expectations.
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Burgundy: Cremeux De Bourgogne
This triple crème cow’s milk cheese will be the showstopper of any cheese board! Remarkably rich and smooth, it more than stands on its own but why not serve it with a chilled French 75?It’s no surprise this lush cheese is from Burgundy, a region known for its distinctly delicious wines. With a centuries-old tradition of making some of the best wine in the world, this area of France contains a remarkably diverse terroir, ideal for wine grapes. Dotted with charming canals and stately grand châteaux, Burgundy’s capital is Dijon, where the mustard originated. A perfect blend of the best of food and wine.
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Pyrenees: Petit Basque
Made by hand using the curds leftover from milking sheep, this mild, buttery cheese is from the Pyrenees Mountains. The natural border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees Mountains offers some of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the world. Home to remote glacial lakes, rare animals, and snow-capped peaks, this region is rooted in tradition and the natural world.
Celebrate Petit Basque’s glorious homeland by pairing it with a selection of grapes, berries, and nuts. You can almost taste the clean, clear air of the Pyrenees in every bite.
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