Brie de Meaux: a cheese with character
Its name comes from the Brie region and the city of Meaux. It has a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) which guarantees its character and uniqueness. Brie de Meaux is remarkable for its size, recognisable by its cylindrical shape and diameter of 36-37 centimetres.
It needs 6 to 8 weeks of maturing to be tasted. It then has a subtle aroma of cream, butter and hazelnuts, much appreciated by everyone!
Gilles PUECH
Fromagerie Saint-FaronBrie de Meaux: a little history
Brie de Meaux: king of cheeses and cheese of kings
Brie de Meaux is a famous cheese! Many princes and kings have praised its taste, from Charlemagne to Henry IV. In 1529, it received its first accolade! Barthélemy Chasseneux, a renowned food enthusiast, called it the “king of the cheeses”. Then in 1815, Brie de Meaux was elected “King of Cheeses and Cheese of Kings” at the Congress of Vienna.
Brie de Meaux: The cheese of Paris and Parisians
Brie’s proximity to the urban area of Paris encouraged the development of a prosperous market. In the second half of the 19th century, advances in transport, particular the railways, meant that brie could be supplied to the stalls and shops of the capital. Brie de Meaux could now be enjoyed in all the best restaurants.
brie de meaux: authenticity guaranteed
The origins of Brie de Meaux: a family production
Originally, cheese was produced on all the farms in the Brie region, even the smallest. This family production was intended for personal consumption. With no set production rules, the quality varied. From the beginning of the 20th century, people have been trying to identify the typicality of certain products through their geographical origin and the know-how of the producer: the question of a controlled designation of origin (CDO) was raised. In 1980, this designation, a guarantee of quality and authenticity, was awarded to Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun.
Brie de Meaux and its PDO
In 1996 the CDO became PDO, a protected designation of origin. The PDO defines a geographical area of production and guarantees the quality of the product. Therefore, today, a distinction must be made between “brie”, a pasteurised cheese and Brie de Meaux PDO, whose specifications require raw milk.
The Brie de Meaux production area stretches from the Brie plains to the Meuse. Producers and maturers can collect their milk and make their Brie de Meaux in Aisne, Aube, Haute-Marne, Marne, Meuse, Hauts-de-Seine, Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Loiret, Yonne and Seine-et-Marne (of course!)
Gilles Puech
Gilles Puech
Gilles PuechProducers and maturers
Brie de Meaux has 12 producers and maturers.
In Meaux:
Fromagerie Saint-Faron
Tour: The only cheese dairy in Meaux offers guided and self-guided tours during which you can discover the different stages of production.
Shop: The cheese dairy’s shop is open to the public and sells Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun and other delicious Seine-et-Marne cheeses produced in-house.
Address : Z.I. Rue Jehan de Brie – 77100 Meaux
Tel: +33 (0)1 60 38 10 10
In Seine-et-Marne:
Fromagerie Ganot
Tour: At the helm of the oldest cheese dairy in the Brie region, Stéphane and Isabelle invite you to share in their craft of maturing cheese, a fundamental art in expressing the taste of the many cheeses of the Brie region. The siblings offer tours of their cellars. Booking required.
The shop: In the shop, you’ll find brie matured by Stéphane and Isabelle and a whole selection of cheeses.
Adress: 4 rue Cécile Dumez – 77640 Jouarre
Domaine des trente Arpents
The Domaine des Trente Arpents belongs to the Rothschild family. They produce their Brie de Meaux from their own herd, making it the only farmhouse Brie de Meaux. Their cheesemaker combines this brie with Meaux mustard, walnuts and truffles.
The shop: The “Cellier de la Ferme des 30 Arpents” has cheeses from the farm and a range of products selected by Karine. You can also taste the products on-site at events organised by the cellar.
Adress: Route Départementale 10 – 77220 Favières
Rouzaire cheese dairy
For three generations, this family-run business has been making its cheeses in strict accordance with the traditions of the Brie region, in its maturing cellars in Tournan-en-Brie and its cheese dairy in Fontenay-Trésigny.
The shop: In the shop, you will find Brie de Meaux PDO and Brie de Melun PDO, as well as three other regional cheeses: Brie de Nangis, Coulommiers de Brie and Brillat-Savarin.
Adress: 10 rue de la Madeleine – 77220 Tournan-en-Brie
La petite laiterie des Bries de Saint-Rémy
La petite laiterie des Bries de Saint-Rémy is passionate about carrying on the tradition of making the brie cheeses for which the region is famous.
Adress: Montmogis – Les Fonds de Balonges – 77320 Saint-Rémy-de-la-Vanne
And beyond Seine-et-Marne:
Fromagerie du Dolloir
Adress: 18 rue des Carmes 02570 Chezy sur Marne
On-site sales
– Monday and Thursday from 8am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 4pm
– Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
– Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm
Fromagerie Renard-Gillard
For over 135 years, Fromagerie Renard-Gillard has been putting all of its expertise into making exceptional cheeses such as Brie de Meaux PDO.
Shops:
Route de Chuelles – 45320 Courtenay
Biencourt-sur-Orge 55290 Biencourt-sur-Orge
Fromagerie Dongé
Founded in 1930 by Etienne Dongé, it is now in the hands of the third generation. The small cheese dairy in the centre of the village of Triconville continues to uphold the passion and methods of yesteryear, as well as the friendly atmosphere that prevails among the staff.
The shop:
Triconville – 55500 Cousances-les-Triconville
La Société Fromagère de Raival
Founded in 1924, the Raival cheese dairy makes Brie de Meaux Nugier. It was one of the first to be approved for the Brie de Meaux PDO.
Shop:
11 Grande Rue – 55260 Rosnes