In Paris, as is the case with bakeries (boulangeries), not all cheese shops (or fromageries, if you want to blend in a little more), are created equal. You kinda have to know where to go to get the best of the best. Use our tried-and-true list below and be disappointed no more. Even if you don’t like cheese. Because let’s face it: Giving the gift of cheese to loved ones back home is what classy folks do. When it comes to cheese, in Italy, England and Switzerland they have the equivalent of art galleries, while here in France we have THE LOUVRE. So don’t be shy…
Terroirs d’Avenir
This is not your average cheese shop. Non, non, non, this is, dear traveller, a crémerie; which, beyond sounding way fancier (and borderline scary if you don’t speak the language and just hear the word out of context) means that beyond the cheese you can buy there various dairy products, like fresh milk or cream (full fat of course. None of that diet culture skimmed false happiness stuff).
Terroirs d’Avenir (Lands of the Future) started as an ambitious project to bring together small French agriculturists and the best Parisian restaurants. That dream not only came true, but turned into a mini-empire of high-quality products. They occupy few concentrated spots around the city, making their signature shops a small consulates for organic food.
Do yourself a favor and explore their other shops — you’re gonna need a baguette to this cheese after all. Their croissants are just to die for as well.
ADDRESS: 3 rue du Nil (2nd arr.) / 17 boulevard Morland (4th arr.)
HOURS: closed Mondays
NEIGHBORHOOD: Faidherbe / Charonne / Aligre
NUMBER: +33 1 84 79 88 19
DEETS: organic, best cheese shops in Paris, institution, bobo
INSTAGRAM: @terroirsdavenir
Charlicot
One customer left a review describing this Fromagerie as « like a contained work of art. » It’s relatively small, which definitely helps if you love that cheese odor. From perfect raclette cheeses to soft brie, this shop will also help you pair it with a French wine. They also offer a variety of ready-made cheese boards with curated varieties (so you don’t have to stress over it.)
ADDRESS: 6 Rue de la Folie Méricourt (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Saint-Ambroise (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf
NUMBER: 01 58 30 96 32
INSTAGRAM: @charlicot_fromagerie
Laurent Dubois
Known as one of the best cheese mongers out there, there is no way you won’t like at least one of the cheeses present here (but let’s be real, you’ll like them all). Don’t worry if you already have preferences, tell them what you don’t like and the workers will be sure to not include them in their generous samples. Each shop is also equipped with their own cave dáffinage (cheese cellar) just so you know exactly where that cheese is maturing
ADDRESS: 47 Ter Bd Saint-Germain (5th arr.) / 2 Rue de Lourmel (15th arr.) / 97–99 Rue Saint-Antoine, (4th arr.) / 58 Rue d’Auteuil (16th arr.)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NUMBER: 01 43 54 50 93
INSTAGRAM: @laurentdubois_fromager_paris
Thomas Artisan Cheese
This fromagerie just has that artisan vibe. It’s not just a vibe though, it’s the real thing. Of course, they offer all the classics. But there is no shame in spending those extra bit of euros if you want to try their signature truffle brie. It is going to make you brie-live in magic…(sorry not sorry).
ADDRESS: 66 Rue du Commerce, 75015
MÉTRO: Commerce (line 8)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Beaugrenelle
NUMBER: 01 45 31 26 57
INSTAGRAM: @thomas_artisan
François Priet Fromager
It is so easy to feel overwhelmed with not only the amount of cheese that there is (not complaining here, just pointing something out) but also with how many products you can pair it with. In France only, you’ve got your cheeses, your wines, your bread. The list goes on. François Priet has that all covered. Just show up, and they’ll hand you the wine that goes with that cheese and that honey with that bread…they have it all.
ADDRESS: 113 Rue de la Roquette, 75011
MÉTRO: Voltaire (Léon Blum) (line 9)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bastille / Arsenal / Roquette
NUMBER: 01 43 79 31 41
INSTAGRAM: @francoisprietfromagerparis
Fromagerie Jouannault
Located at the heart of the Marais, this shop is a great stop in between your thrift shopping spree. Whilst they don’t allow samples on certain cheeses, you’ll be marching back to the shop to buy larger quantities time and time again. The facade is yellow (it’s very satisfying seeing it from the outside with all the yellow cheese inside - just trust) and inside, it’s very small which is perfect to take in all the cheese at once
ADDRESS: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
MÉTRO: Temple (line 3)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut Marais
NUMBER: 01 42 78 52 61
INSTAGRAM: @fromageriejouannault
Fromagerie du Marché des Enfants Rouges
Committing is always a sore subject. So you may not want to commit half a day marching up and down Paris just for cheese. How about you march to one specific location in Paris and it’s not just for cheese? One step at a time. In this little market, not only will you find a cheese stand (with some very authentic cheeses) but stands with all sorts of French products. You can have lunch there as well, in case the cheese makes you hungry (?)
ADDRESS: Inside of the market on 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
MÉTRO: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut Marais
NUMBER: 06 26 72 90 72
Fromagerie Hardouin-Langlet
High quality cheese stand in a market where one of the stands also sell oysters (in case you’re in the mood to snack on some delicacies). Some of their products, you can’t find anywhere else and some (like the obvious wine bottles) just remind you of how cherished cheese is in Paris. The best part is that you’re only steps away from other artisan stands in the market, which offer a variety of French snacks to really complete l’expérience.
ADDRESS: 6 Place d’Aligre, 75012
MÉTRO: Ledru-Rollin (line 8)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bastille
NUMBER: 01 43 45 35 09
INSTAGRAM: @hardouin_langlet
Laurent Bouvet
This cheesemaker (active since 1987), is found in the Saint-Martin covered food market. They offer a range of goats, cows and sheep cheese. They will also make you a custom cheese board with all of your favorite fromage AND they can deliver it to you if you’re just having a lazy type of day. All you need is a bottle of red wine for that perfect date night.
ADDRESS: 31 et 33 Rue du château d’eau, 75010
MÉTRO: Jacques-Bonsergent (line 5)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: St. Martin
NUMBER: +33 01 40 40 73 25
La Fermette
From Camembert to Burrata, this cheese shop doesn’t only have a variety of cheese options, but they also sell salami, butter and jam (you know…the kind of jam that you need to pair with a cheese to really feel like you’re doing it right). They have ready-made cheese and charcuterie boards for you to take the credit for. Oh, and they also have a click and collect option in case you really made your girlfriend mad and don’t have time to fight about it in a cheese shop…just show up with that cheese board, my friend.
ADDRESS: 86 Rue Montorgueil, 75002
MÉTRO: Sentier (line 3)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Montorgueil
NUMBER: 01 42 36 70 96
Saisons Fromagerie
If you’re lucky, you’ll hear one of the owners of the shop play the cello as you’re doing a cheese and wine tasting. This budget-friendly fromagerie has it all: knowledgable owners, cheese (um…duh), wine, and that Paris ambiance that we all just can’t get enough of. If you’ve already bought your wine, don’t fret: Show the owners what you bought and they’ll pair it with one of their delicious cheeses. Tip: if you’re having raclette night anytime soon, they sell about six types of raclette cheese…you can’t go wrong.
ADDRESS: 30 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003
MÉTRO: Rambuteau (line 11)
HOURS: Monday and Tuesday closed
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut-Marais
NUMBER: 01 81 29 47 52
INSTAGRAM: @saisons_fromagerie
