Festival des Fromages de Meulan-en-Yvelines

The Meulan Cheese Festival: A Gourmet Journey Through France

Since 1996, the Meulan-en-Yvelines Cheese Festival has become an unmissable event for cheese and gastronomy lovers in the Île-de-France region. Every second weekend of October, the town center of this charming commune on the banks of the Seine is transformed into a huge open-air cheese platter, offering visitors a tour of French cheese flavors.

300 Varieties of Cheese from All Over France

The richness of the Cheese Festival lies in the exceptional diversity of cheeses presented. Nearly 300 varieties are offered for tasting and sale by producers and affineurs from all regions of France: Comté and Morbier from the Jura, Roquefort from Aveyron, Reblochon from Savoie, Munster from Alsace, Brie de Meaux and Coulommiers from Île-de-France, Ossau-Iraty from the Basque Country, Salers and Cantal from Auvergne, Saint-Nectaire, Époisses from Burgundy, goat cheeses from the Loire, and many other treasures of French cheese heritage.

Each producer presents their cheeses with passion, sharing the secrets of their production, the terroirs, and the know-how that make each variety unique. This direct contact between producers and consumers makes the festival a precious moment of exchange and transmission.

Wines, Terroir, and Gourmet Pairings

Cheese is best enjoyed with wine: about twenty winemakers from the main French wine regions accompany the cheesemongers to offer food and wine pairings. Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Loire, Alsace, and the Southwest vineyards are represented, offering visitors the opportunity to create their ideal platter, from cheese to a glass of wine, including charcuterie and artisanal breads.

Festive and Family-Friendly Entertainment

The Cheese Festival is also a grand popular celebration. Folk troupes and traditional musicians liven up the streets, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Children can enjoy a mini-farm with farm animals, games in the straw, inflatable castles, and pony rides. Food stalls offer comforting dishes based on melted cheese, hot camembert tartines, and cheese specialties.

Strong Local Roots

The festival is supported by the City of Meulan-en-Yvelines and the urban community Grand Paris Seine et Oise. On Saturdays, a Reuse Village set up on the banks of the Seine raises visitors' awareness of sustainable development and the circular economy, adding a responsible dimension to this gourmet event. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, contributing to the attractiveness and dynamism of Meulan-en-Yvelines.