France, the land of cheese with its many AOP cheeses recognised the world over, also has a huge variety of local products that are well-kept secrets, some of which have never left the borders of the département or region where they are made.

The incredible diversity of French cheeses originates from terroirs, each of which has its own specific character in terms of landscapes. From north to south and from east to west, from the Pyrenees to the Boulonnais hillsides, from the Maurienne valley to the Normandy hedgeland to the volcanic plateaux of the Auvergne, the milk and cheese culture is present in every French region and has been since time immemorial.

Select a region of France to learn about the origin of French cheeses.