denisea

I believe that many shops can vacuum seal cheese to take home. There was a recent thread about what to buy to take home in France and Spain. I believe that several posts discussed how to get cheese home.

swandav2000

That Epoisses looks amazing. Actually, it looks an awful lot like Swiss Vacherin! Doing a google search, I find that they are the same cheese, and that the Swiss and the French have been fighting over its origin for centuries. Interesting. More info (and a recipe for baking Epoisses):

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/vacheri...heese-fromage/

I can only get this cheese here in Garmisch in the fall & winter, and I always use it for making real fondu.

ahhh.

s

swandav2000

ooooh, I'm gonna be in Montreux (CH) in two weeks. When I come waddling back home, it'll be due to the Vacherin & the gruyere.

BTW, that recipe by David Lebovitz I linked to above is, essentially, a single-cheese fondue (add garlic & a splash of wine & bake; eat with bread).

s

nukesafe

Although they are similar, Epoisses is not the same as Mont d'Or. Epoisses is not just aged in wood, it is taken from it's container three times per week for six weeks and washed by hand with Pomace brandy (marc) to spread the bacteria evenly over the rind of the cheese. That is what gives the rind that distinctive orange/red color. The process also gives it it's distinctive aroma; supposedly it is the only cheese that is forbidden to be transported on the Metro or other public transport. As the French say, "It smells like the feet of Angels!".

I should also mention that only younger Epoisses can be imported into the States. Those aged over 49 days are banned. I can tell you, having tried them, that they suck by comparison!

fuzzbucket

Aged Mimolette is also banned, due to the mites which live in the rind of the cheese.

If you can't find shops to vacuum pack your cheese, think ahead and bring freezer-grade ziploc bags from home. It's better to leave each cheese in its individual paper wrapper, then seal each cheese in separate plastic bags.

If the shop can vacuum seal cheese for you, ask them to do each cheese individually.

If you're bringing back some soft cheeses, you should pack it in a plastic container or sturdy box.

Large Monoprix stores often have exceptional cheese counters, but I don't believe they offer vacuum packing.

Always pack cheese in your checked luggage.

AlessandraZoe

For decades, part of our love for Paris and the rest of France was the ability to order a cheese course to finish our dinner every night. On our last trip, we noticed that option was not always available, even in our old haunts.

Therefore, thanks for some of the links so we can get our cheese fix outside of our meals.

WeisserTee

My favourite cheese shop in Paris is La Ferme de la Fontaine, over in the Auteuil section of the 16th. It's also one of the oldest family-run cheese shops in Paris.

http://www.gillespudlowski.com/14355...-vincent-perez

Another nice cheese shop close by is La Fromagerie d'Auteuil
http://www.lafromageriedauteuil.fr/i...e-autueil.html

Well off the tourist path and especially worth visiting if you combine the trip with the open market days at the Place Jean Lorrain just up the street. (Wed & Sat from about 7 am to early afternoon). We like the Auteuil area -- it's a bit out of the way but still has a strong village feel.

https://bonjourparis.com/history/par...e-in-the-city/

WeisserTee

Forgot to add, whenever we walked our English cocker past those shops, her ears would prick, her eyes would light up and she would start sniffing with enthusiasm. Her obvious appreciation of the delicious scent of artisanal cheese often earned her a tidbit from the people behind the counter.

Some images:
http://www.lafromageriedauteuil.fr/i...d-autueil.html

fuzzbucket

AlessandraZoe - you can always bring your own platter to any fromagerie and ask them to give you a nice selection. Many shops aren't equipped with "to go trays".

bilboburgler

Take care you don't confuse a cheese shop with a cheese making facility, you are unlikely to find one of the latter in central Paris.

hikrchick

thank you for all this great information. I'm now dreaming about cheeses!

WeisserTee, thank you for those wonderful suggestions. Adding them to the spreadsheet!

fuzzbucket, brilliant idea to bring freezer-style ziplocs, that's definitely on the packing list now!

Well, we are leaving on Oct. 14 and when i return I'll report back on the cheeses that made me swoon. It will be extra wonderful if I can find some Beaufort.

fuzzbucket

You won't have any problem finding Beaufort in any cheese shop, but might not be able to find the 3 "ages" of this cheese.

A close cousin to Beaufort is Abondance - very good and available as well.

Have you gotten into the different Comté cheeses, yet...?

Margaretlb

I've also been searching for a degustation menu for my upcoming trip. I've found Fils o'Fromages. This place has great reviews on Trip Advisor - I don't find an English language website, but here is their site in French and Trip Advisor link:
http://filofromage.com/

Margaretlb

Sorry, wonky VDI environment decided to post before I finished:
Here's the TA link:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...de_France.html

Odin

<i> Epoisses is not the same as Mont d'Or.</I> Indeed. Vacherin Mont d'Or is a seasonal cheese and only sold between September and May.

If you get the chance to try Maroilles, it is very good but very smelly.

hikrchick

has anyone heard of Paroles de fromagers in the Marais (rue de Bretagne)? Gets glowing reviews on TA. They do several versions of cheese tastings, from 7 cheeses-2 wines-1 1/2 hours for 70 euros to a 3-hour decadence that would put me on the floor.

http://parolesdefromagers.com/en/

the photos on TA look terrific. Hikrguy found it on the David Lebovitz post about cheese tastings....

nukesafe

BTW, the Paris by Mouth website, which had been down earlier in the week, seems to be back up if you want to see pictures of their cheese/wine tour. There is even a picture of my favorite Epoisses.

http://parisbymouth.com/tour-de-from...ses-of-france/

yestravel

Great thread with some good suggestions. hikrchick, will you please report back with whatever you choose? thank!

AJPeabody

70 euros for 7 cheese samples and two wines? Per person? Any cheese lover at a decent cheese store with a nearby Nicolas could do a lot better. And with a place at an apart-hotel with a little kitchen, add good butter and bread and have a ball.

nukesafe

Well, you had to have been there, AJ. We thought it worth every centime. We could have saved a bundle by listening to the Opera on our radio in the apartment, too, but it would not really be the same experience.