10 Best-Tasting French Cheeses You Must Try at Least Once!

How many types of French cheese are there? It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number as cheese production varies widely across different regions of France and new varieties continue to be developed. However, it is often estimated that there are around 1,600 distinct types of French cheese!

Among the vast kinds of French cheeses, a few have won over taste buds globally.

Camembert

Originating from Normandy, this is one of France’s most famous cheeses. It is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk and has a creamy, earthy taste. The cheese is covered in a white mold which can also be eaten.

Brie

Like Camembert, Brie is a soft cheese that is also covered in an edible white mold. Brie has a mild, buttery flavor and is often served at room temperature to bring out its creamy texture. It comes from the Île-de-France region and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Cheeses’!

Roquefort

This is a blue cheese aged in limestone caves made from ewe’s milk and is known for its strong flavor and crumbly texture. Roquefort is matured in the Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its unique taste.

Comté

A hard mountain cheese that comes from the Jura Massif region. It is made from cow’s milk and aged for a minimum of four months to 18 months or more. It has a complex flavor that can include notes of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, and hazelnuts.

Reblochon

From the Savoie region of the Alps, Reblochon is a soft washed-rind and smear-ripened cheese that is made from raw cow’s milk. It has a nutty taste that isn’t too strong or too mild.

Epoisses

Originating from Burgundy, this cheese is known for its pungent aroma and strong, creamy flavor. Epoisses is washed in marc de Bourgogne, a local brandy, as it matures.

Munster

This cheese comes from the Alsace region and has a strong, penetrating smell and a surprisingly mild flavor. It is a soft washed-rind cheese made from cow’s milk.

Cantal

One of the oldest cheeses in France, Cantal comes from the Auvergne region. It is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, tangy flavor. The aging process can last from one month to six months.

Pont-l’Évêque

A washed-rind cow’s milk cheese with a pungent aroma and a rich, creamy texture. Pont-l’Évêque has a complex flavor profile that develops with age.

Saint-Marcellin

A soft and creamy cow’s milk cheese with a tangy and slightly salty flavor. Saint-Marcellin is often enjoyed with crusty bread.

Each of these cheeses offers a unique flavor profile and texture, and they’re all worth trying if you’re a cheese lover. French cheeses are often enjoyed with bread, fruits, nuts, and wine, and are a staple in many traditional French dishes.