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Top 28 Auvergnese Cheeses

Last updated on June 10, 2026

Best Auvergnese Cheese Types

01

Saint Agur

4.2 ·

Saint Agur is a French cheese originating from Auvergne, particularly the village of Beauzac. This rindless blue cheese is made with cow's milk, and it is typically left to ripen in cellars for 60 days. The flavors are sharp, spicy, and fruity, while the aroma is intense and milky. The texture of Saint Agur is very creamy and smooth, which is the reason why the cheese melts and spreads extremely well. It comes in an octagonal shape, reminiscent of basalt stones in Auvergne, so its shape acts as a tribute to its origin. Serve Saint Agur with figs, pears, and walnuts, or use it in dips and sauces.

02

Saint-Nectaire

4.2 ·

Saint-Nectaire is a semi-hard, double pressed farm cheese made in Auvergne from cow's milk and sold in the shape of a flat wheel. It must mature for at least six weeks on rye straw mats before being marketed. As the cows graze on pastures at high altitudes, the cheese has a unique sweet, hazelnut-like flavor and a smell reminiscent of mushrooms and hay. Its texture is silky and creamy, and it melts in the mouth. It can be recognized by the green label on its thick rind, which can be white, yellow or red, depending on the stage of maturation. It goes perfectly with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

03

Salers

4.1 ·

Salers is a soft farm cheese made from cow's full-fat milk, the final product weighs 35 to 50 kilograms and has been produced in the French region of Cantal since the High Middle Ages. It's made immediately after milking and then matured for at least three months. Its rind is hard and brown and becomes even harder and crustier as it matures. The interior of Salers is rich yellow in color, with fruity aromas and the taste is nutty, spicy and intense, reminiscent of raw onions, wild flowers, and freshly cut grass. Do not confuse it with Cantal cheese, as Salers must be made only from the milk of cows that graze the mountain pastures in the summer. Enjoy it paired with a glass of well-rounded white or red wine.

04

Bleu d'Auvergne

4 ·

Bleu d'Auvergne is a French blue cheese made from raw cow's milk. It has characteristical veins dispersed throughout its body. The mold that forms in the cheese is a result of the production process - Bleu is pricked with long needles that allow Penicillium glaucum to form in the cheese. The aroma is intense, while the flavors are pastoral, spicy, and salty, reminiscent of grass and wildflowers. The cheese matures for at least 2 weeks and develops its moist and crumbly texture. After that period, it is ready to be sold and consumed. It pairs well with dessert wines that provide a mellow contrast to Bleu's intensity.

05

Cantal

4 ·

Cantal is a double pressed, semi-hard cow's milk cheese made in the Cantal region in France. The curd is pressed, matured and ground, and the granules are then salted, placed in moulds and pressed again to mature for at least 30 days in cellars where it gets turned regularly. It is one of the oldest French cheeses. Depending on its age, its flavor can vary from fresh, sweet, vanilla-like in young Cantal to strong, peppery, hazelnut-like and spicy in well-matured Cantal (8 months). It is recommended to pair it with fruits such as apples and grapes, use it in soups, fondues and salads or drink a glass of bold red wine with it.

06

Fourme d'Ambert

4 ·

Fourme d'Ambert is an unusually tall, round, blue cheese that is unpressed and uncooked, with a high fat content (50%). It's made from pasteurized or raw cow's milk and it is one of the oldest cheeses in France. On the exterior it has a dry gray moldy rind, while on the interior it is creamy white with green or blue veins dispersed throughout the body. Fourme d'Ambert is matured for up to 28 days in caves in the French regions of Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, and Loire. During the maturation process, the cheese is injected with sweet white wine. The flavor is delicate and mild with a velvety mouthfeel, with earthy, mushroomy, sweet, and creamy notes. Serve it with port wine and sliced fresh pears, apples, walnuts, and raisins for a nice dessert, or crumble it on salads.

07

Bleu de chèvre

3.7 ·

Bleu de chèvre is a traditional cheese hailing from Auvergne. This blue cheese is made from pasteurized or raw goat's milk. The rind is covered with ash, and underneath it the texture is soft and supple, with pockets of blue mold that are distributed throughout the paste. The aromas are subtle, while the flavors are creamy, strong, and salty, with a subtle goaty tang on the finish. It's recommended to pair Bleu de chèvre with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

08

Rochebaron

3.5 ·

Rochebaron is a French blue cheese made from cow’s or sheep’s milk. Its texture is soft and creamy, the aroma is strong, while the flavors are mild, mushroomy, and creamy. During the production process, the curd is injected with Penicillium glaucum in order to develop blue veins throughout the body. The cheese then matures for at least 30 days, during which it is regularly dusted with ash. When ready for consumption, it is recommended to pair the cheese with fresh fruits, crusty baguettes, or a glass of earthy Pinot Noir.

09

Doux de montagne

n/a ·

Doux de montagne is a traditional cheese hailing from Auvergne. This semi-soft cheese is made from cow's milk and it's shaped like a cottage loaf of bread that's coated with mahogany wax. The texture is light, airy, and creamy, dotted with tiny holes. The cheese melts in your mouth and the flavors are soft, mild, fruity, buttery, and herbal. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Champagne or Merlot. Serve it on a cheese platter with tropical fruit for the best experience.

10

Pavin

n/a ·

Named after a lake in the Auvergne region of France, where it originates from, Pavin is a semi-soft cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. It is aged for about 2 months in humid cellars, and during that period, it is regularly washed with a combination of annatto and brine in order to create a sticky, orange-colored rind that is dusted with fine white mold. Pavin’s light yellow body has a mushroomy aroma, while the flavors are best described as earthy and nutty. It is recommended to serve Pavin with full-bodied wines such as Pommard or Mercurey.

Best Auvergnese Cheeses

01

Fromagerie du Buron

5 ·
Fromagerie du Buron is a family-owned dairy located in Cournon-d'Auvergne, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Established in 1904 by Jean Duchêne, it specializes in the aging of traditional cheeses from Auvergne, particularly Saint-Nectaire AOP. Currently, the third generation of the Duchêne family, led by Pierre Duchêne, continues this tradition, combining centuries-old expertise with modern techniques. In addition to aging Saint-Nectaire, Fromagerie du Buron produces other authentic cheeses, including Grand Murols and its variations such as Buronnoix, a cheese aged in walnut liqueur, which has won medals at the General Agricultural Competition. The Duchêne family's dedication to preserving traditional production methods and collaborating with local producers ensures the authenticity and exceptional quality of their cheeses.
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
02

Fromages Bach

4.9 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
World Cheese Awards - Gold (2022)
03

Fromageries Paul Dischamp

4.6 ·
Fromageries Paul Dischamp is a family-owned creamery based in the Auvergne region of France, producing and aging traditional cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) status since 1911. The company began by aging Saint-Nectaire cheese in cellars rich in volcanic stone, which contributed to the development of unique aromas. It combines traditional methods with modern technologies. Today, the third generation of the family, Jean-Luc Dischamp, continues the legacy. Their production facilities in Saint-Flour and Saint-Nectaire focus on the crafting and aging of cheeses such as Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Fourme d’Ambert. They place special emphasis on collaborating with local farmers and preserving the regional terroir. Their cheeses are recognized for their high quality and authenticity, making them a favorite among cheese lovers.
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
05

Ferme des Campanules

4.5 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
06

La Ferme de Ravel

4.5 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
07

Laiterie Gerentes

4.5 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
09

GAEC Sudre

4.5 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
10

Fromagère de la Vallée de l'Ance

4.5 ·
Awards
Concours International de Lyon - Gold (2025)
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About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 28 Auvergnese Cheeses” list until June 10, 2026, 689 ratings were recorded, of which 528 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews. The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.

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