Le Mont d’Or is an exceptional seasonal cheese, available only from September 10th to May 10th, making it a true delicacy for the colder months. Crafted from cow’s milk, its production involves carefully controlled steps, where the curds (roughly the size of a walnut) and whey are stirred multiple times with mandatory resting periods.
This results in a firm and compact curd, which is then molded into blocks of various diameters depending on the cheese size. Each cheese is delicately wrapped in a strip of spruce bark (known as sangle), which not only helps maintain its shape but also imparts a distinctive woody aroma during the ripening process. The cheese is then aged on wooden boards before being boxed, ensuring the preservation of its rich taste and bouquet.
Le Mont d’Or is cherished for its creamy texture and full, aromatic flavor, and is traditionally enjoyed warm-baked directly in its box and served with crusty bread and a glass of Jura white wine.
Producer
Fromagerie du Mont d'Or, located in the picturesque village of Métabief in the Doubs region of France, represents a family cheesemaking tradition nurtured by the Sancey-Richard family for over 50 years. This artisanal fromagerie is renowned for producing authentic French cheeses with protected designation of origin.
All cheeses are made exclusively from raw milk of Montbéliarde cows, collected daily from local producers in the Métabief area. The production and aging processes take place in traditional cellars, where more than a thousand cheeses mature under carefully controlled conditions. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours of the production facility and shop, which offers a wide range of regional products, including cured meats, honey, jams, and wines from the Jura region. Fromagerie du Mont d'Or stands as a symbol of dedication to quality, tradition, and the preservation of local gastronomic heritage, making it an essential destination for lovers of authentic French cheeses.