Melun Fête son Brie

Brie de Melun AOP: An Exceptional Cheese Celebrated in its City

Brie de Melun is a soft cheese with a bloomy rind that has benefited from an Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) since 1980. Smaller and more mature than its cousin Brie de Meaux, it is distinguished by its more pronounced flavor and its exclusive production using raw milk molded by ladle. Since 2003, the city of Melun has paid tribute to it every autumn with Melun Fête son Brie, which has become one of the most anticipated gastronomic events in Seine-et-Marne.

110 Producer Stands in the Pedestrian Streets

On the first Saturday of October, the pedestrian streets of the historic center of Melun and the Place Saint-Jean are transformed into a vast gourmet market. Around 110 stands of producers and artisans from all over France offer cheeses, cured meats, wines, honeys, jams, breads, pastries, and other regional specialties. Visitors embark on a true gourmet route through the historic streets, tasting and discovering remarkably high-quality local products.

The Brie de Melun Competition

A highlight of the day, the Brie de Melun Competition takes place in the morning at the Hôtel de Ville. The best Brie de Melun AOP producers present their cheeses to a jury of experts who evaluate the quality of the paste, rind, taste, and maturation. In the afternoon, the parade of cheese and gastronomic brotherhoods crosses the streets of the city center in traditional costumes, followed by the chapter of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Brie de Melun with the induction of new members.

Street Entertainment and Festive Atmosphere

Throughout the day, brass bands and musical groups liven up the streets, creating a festive and warm atmosphere. The Harmonie de Melun offers a concert in the mid-afternoon in the gardens of the Hôtel de Ville. Street entertainment — jugglers, stilt walkers, circus artists — punctuate the gourmet stroll.

Educational Farm and Seine River Cruise

Families enjoy the educational farm set up in the gardens of the Hôtel de Ville, where children can see cows, goats, sheep, and poultry. An exhibition on Bries traces the history and production of these emblematic cheeses. A unique feature of the event is a Seine River cruise with cheese tasting, offering a unique perspective of the city of Melun from the river while savoring local products.