While dozens of cities claim to boast the planet’s finest cheese, few contenders can match the offerings available along the streets of Paris. Pretty much every pocket of the city has a stellar line-up of cheesemongers, each bringing something different to the table.
The French capital is already a foodie haven thanks to its tempting croissants and delightful steak frites, but its assortment of cheese shops certainly takes things up a notch. In fact, I’m willing to bet the Parisian culinary scene could turn even the biggest skeptics into cheese lovers!
After unearthing the best cheese shops in Paris to include in my Paris Food Tours, I’ve stumbled upon plenty of gems along the way. Read on to find all my favorites to add to your must-try list ahead of your next visit to the City of Love.
Photo credit: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois
Whether you’re somewhat of a cheese novice or fancy yourself a connoisseur of sorts, you won’t want to miss Fromagerie Laurent Dubois, near the river seine just a short stroll from Notre Dame. Having been on the receiving end of a Meilleur Ouvrier de France nod, this place needs little introduction.
A handful of other locations are dotted around the city, but I’ve always found the staff in this 5th arrondissement branch to be friendly and knowledgeable. Since I am a novice compared to Parisians regarding cheese, the staff have always been happy to share their recommendations with me.
This spot is like a treasure trove for premium cheeses: beautifully bright, airy, and fully stocked shelves on both sides; it’s every turophiles’ dream.
Each time I’m in town, I make it my mission to pick up some Comte. They serve a fabulous 36-month-aged variety that I love.
When I first tried the Comte, it had a firm and rigid texture due to its age, and it was infused with crystals formed from the cheese’s amino acids.
You wouldn’t be alone in thinking it can sometimes feel a little dense at first (I think the exact same); the flavors gradually soften to produce nutty, smokey notes with a lasting finish.
Fromagerie Laurent Dubois (€€€) – 47Ter Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France – Closed on Monday. Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
Barthélémy is a quaint cheesemonger just steps from the Musée Maillol and one I wish I’d discovered sooner. While it may be small, the selection of cheeses here will make you feel like a kid in a candy store; there are that many.
With its marble shelving and old-school tiles, Barthélémy feels upscale yet charming. Every corner is filled with dreamy cheeses and tasty accompaniments like artisanal bread and homemade spreads that never fail to tempt me.
On my last visit, I wanted to buy a little of everything, from classic raw milk cheeses like Camembert to hard-to-find varieties like Cathar. However, I was particularly intrigued by their truffle-infused Brie, which I’ve rarely encountered back in Italy.
Deep in flavor, the addition of truffle gave the Brie an earthiness most of us don’t typically associate with it, yet the creamy and slightly sweet undertones didn’t feel overpowering. I opted to spread the cheese on a crispy baguette, and the balance of textures was just perfect!
Barthélémy (€€€) – 51 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France – Closed Monday and Sunday, and Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Photo credit: Saisons Fromagerie
I regard few Paris cheese shops as highly as Saisons in the 3rd arrondissement. While the cheese is sensational in its own right, Saisons is much more than just that; they’re also experts in natural wines and delicious charcuterie boards to pair with the cheese you choose.
This fromagerie is sleek and compact, with elegant designs and a handful of seats on-site. Regrettably, my French isn’t the best, so having the opportunity to discuss the cheeses with the English-speaking staff allowed me to uncover some gems I would never have found otherwise.
I usually try to sample something different with every visit, as these guys offer seasonal cheeses, all of which are made from local produce. Most recently, I branched out and opted for Tomme, a semi-soft cheese made from a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk.
The Tomme is not your average cheese; it had quite a complex flavor palette despite its relatively mild taste. With hints of nuttiness, a touch of saltiness, and herbal-like aromas, it quickly became one of my favorites. Better yet, I was able to get some vacuum-packed to take home!
Saisons Fromagerie (€€) – 30 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003 Paris, France – Closed on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday to Friday, 11:00 am to 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Beloved by most locals and tourists alike, La Fermette in the 2nd arrondissement easily ranks among the best cheese shops in Paris and is somewhere that you’ll always be assured of top-quality treats.
The store felt cozy and inviting; the homely decor alone caught my eye, but I was equally impressed by the incredible varieties of cheeses displayed right out front. Plus, the warmth of the staff who greeted me at the front door added to the ambiance.
It was impressive to witness the endless array of cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk cheese available, from semi-hard cheeses like Savoie to little-known soft alternatives like Coulommiers. No matter what kind of French cheese I had in mind, I found it here.
On this occasion, I was drawn towards a strong-smelling cheese from Normandy, Livarot. Golden in color and recognizable from its striped exterior, Livarot is a feast for all the senses.
The unique citrus-like taste and light spiciness were a unique combination. It’s not for everyone, but I managed to source a baguette on the way to the store and complemented it with some freshly sliced ham. All I can say is wow: salty, creamy, and a light crumble the Parisian way.
La Fermette (€€) – 86 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France, Monday, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
While ambling around the Montmartre district a few years back, I happened upon a chic cheese shop called Fromagerie Chez Virginie. Since my first visit, I’ve become ever-so fond of their mouthwatering aged cheeses, punchy roquefort, and delectable mont d’or.
What sets this place apart from many other fromageries is that Chez Virginie only stocks raw milk cheese, meaning that the selection available in-store is always hand-picked.
While I’m usually more than happy to stick to French cheeses, I appreciated the selection of international favorites like Italian pecorino and Swiss truffle d’été, as these aren’t always available in cheese shops.
To satisfy my niggling craving for hard cheese, I decided to go for the Ossau-Iraty. It was slightly lighter than the cheeses I typically reach for, but the gentle grassy flavors, briny olive hints, and subtle hazelnut tones quickly made me realize that I’d been missing out for quite some time.
Fromagerie Chez Virginie (€€) – Fromagerie Chez virginie Damrémont, 54 Rue Damrémont, 75018 Paris, France – Closed on Monday and Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and 7:45 pm, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 am to 7:45 pm
Whether you make it to one or all of my picks for the best cheese shops in Paris, your tastebuds will be in for quite the treat. Between the intense flavors of goat’s cheese and the buttery texture of Brie, the Parisian cheese offerings are second to none.
If you’re eager to pair some sublime wines and other local delicacies with your cheese on your visit to Paris, you might be interested in our Le Marais Food & Wine Tour.
The post The 5 Best Cheese Shops in Paris appeared first on Eating Europe.
