France is a country rich in history, culture, and of course cuisine. Cheese connoisseurs out there know that each region in France has its own soft, creamy, and hard cheese. For brie lovers, there is really only one region you need to visit—Île de France.
Île de France
This region is found right next to the center region, where Paris is situated. Since it’s so close to the capital, it’s the perfect spot to day trip to—and do a cheese tour. The region itself is known for two types of brie: Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun.
What makes these two types of brie different from one another is the coagulation time. Brie de Meaux takes 30 minutes to coagulate, and Brie de Melun takes 18 hours. If you like a creamier brie, then go for the Meaux, and if you want a slightly harder brie with a salty tang, try the Melun.
Both can be found at the Fromagerie de Meaux Saint-Faron, which offers tours and tasting for 4 euros. You will learn about the cheese-making process at every stage, and see the caves where the cheese is stored until it is ripe enough to sell.
