Skip to Content

10 French Cheese Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

10 French Cheese Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

French cheeses arguably the best in the world and make the perfect addition to any meal. However, pronouncing their names correctly can be very difficult for many people. After reading this post, you will be able to pronounce the names of the top 10 most popular French cheeses correctly and impress all your friends. Keep reading!

le fromage

cheese

French cheese pronunciation

How to pronounce names of French cheeses

1. Camembert

Camembert
Coyau / Wikimedia Commons

le camembert

Camembert comes from Normandy, which is located in the northwest of France. It’s most likely the top French cheese, thanks to its texture and taste. When you see camembert, it should have a white mold rind and a creamy inside, with a salty and full-bodied taste.


2. Brie

Brie
unknown(pdphotos.org), Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons

le brie

Brie is located about 130 miles to the east of Paris and is a region that’s been associated with cheesemaking for a long time. This cheese soon gained popularity in Paris and is now enjoyed by people from around the world. It has a gentle aroma and a compact texture but is best enjoyed when it has aged.


3. Comté

Comté cheese
MOs810, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

le compté

As one of the richest French cheeses, Comté can be added to sandwiches, salads, or eaten alone. It is made in eastern France in the Jura mountain region and has a nutty flavor and sweet aftertaste with each bite.


4. Roquefort

Roquefort cheese
Sarah&Boston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

le roquefort

Roquefort is one of the world’s top blue cheeses and has a rich taste. You’ll want to save this cheese for the end of any meal so that you are left with the pleasant salty aftertaste it’s known for.


5. Reblochon

Reblochon
Coyau / Wikimedia Commons

le reblochon

This mountain cheese comes from eastern France and the Savoie region. Reblochon is made from the second milking of the cows, offering cheesemakers the thick and rich milk that’s necessary for this type of cheese.


6. Munster

Munster cheese
© Raimond Spekking (Wiki Commons)

le muster

Munster is best known for its pungent odor but soft texture. Traditionally, it is served with cumin and potatoes to help soften the taste a little. You’ll find that it has a slightly sticky texture but feels just like eating melted chocolate.


7. Cantal

Cantal cheese
Coyau / Wikimedia Commons

le cantal

Cantal is an uncooked and firm cheese which is produced in central France in the Auvergne region. It has a subtle flavor with some complexities alongside a firm texture and natural rind.


8. Emmental

Emmental
StaraBlazkova, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

l’emmental

When choosing Emmental cheese, make sure you always look for the red casein label. This shows the license number of the cheesemaker and will ensure it is made using raw milk from various regions in France where it’s produced. You can enjoy this cheese with a variety of cooked dishes, and it’s the perfect base for a cheese fondue.


9. Époisses

Époisses
Coyau / Wikimedia Commons

l’époisses

Napoleon always favored Époisses, which is made in Burgundy in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. It has a very strong smell and is rich in cream, salt, and brandy.


10. Mimolette

Mimolette
Pierre-Yves Beaudouin / Wikimedia Commons

la mimolette

Mimolette is traditionally made in Lille in France and was inspired by Dutch Edam cheese. It’s known for its bright orange color, which will certainly stand out at your next dinner party.

French cheese list – conclusion

All of these French cheeses will make the perfect addition to any meal or dinner party you are hosting. There really is something for everyone on this list, so whether you enjoy a mild or strong cheese, make sure you try out some of them soon.

Discover more

French food and cheese | Posts by Dan Forsythe

author avatar
Dan Forsythe
A politics and history graduate with a technical writing background and based in France, Dan writes amazing articles for all things French. An insatiable traveler, Dan has crisscrossed France, Europe, and beyond. When he’s not hiking or falling down historical rabbit holes, Dan sips tea and writes technical pieces or blog posts about travel, history, and life in his adopted home.

Sharing is caring!

Dan Forsythe

A politics and history graduate with a technical writing background and based in France, Dan writes amazing articles for all things French. An insatiable traveler, Dan has crisscrossed France, Europe, and beyond. When he’s not hiking or falling down historical rabbit holes, Dan sips tea and writes technical pieces or blog posts about travel, history, and life in his adopted home.

See all posts by