Cheese Lovers Uncover France's Hidden Gems: From Parisian Museums to Rustic Pastures

As of September 2025, travelers are increasingly turning to cheese as a way to uncover the hidden gems of France. From the newly opened Musée Vivante du Fromage in Paris to the ageing caves in the Jura region and the sheep pastures of Corsica, visitors are discovering that cheese can serve as a guidebook to the country's landscapes, traditions, and histories.

The concept of terroir, long associated with French wine, is just as integral to the nation's iconic cheese. Geography, climate, soil, and human skill all shape the flavors of French cheeses, and a growing number of travelers are eager to explore these connections. In the past year, the Musée Vivante du Fromage has joined dozens of other cheese-focused attractions across France, offering visitors interactive exhibits and immersive experiences that delve into the science, people, and traditions behind the country's diverse cheese offerings.

The appetite for food-focused travel in France is only set to grow, with Future Market Insights predicting a nearly 16% rise in the market for culinary experiences over the next decade. As the French themselves become increasingly interested in discovering their local terroirs, the country's cheese culture is emerging as a powerful draw for international visitors as well. From the Alsatian's Munster to the Basque's Ossau-Iraty, cheese is connecting travelers to the unique identities and histories of France's diverse regions.