In Meaux, the Maison du Brie tells the story and explains the production of one of France’s most famous cheeses.
We usually picture Brie on a cheese platter, but in Meaux, it actually has its own museum, located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the cathedral. A short, gourmet tour that’s easy to plan from Paris, especially when it ends with a tasting of AOP Brie.
From milk to aging: all the secrets of Meaux Brie
You don’t need to be a cheese expert to enjoy the tour. The tour simply walks you through the different stages of making Brie de Meaux, from milk collection to molding and aging. Videos, reenactments, and antique tools help you understand why this great white-rind cheese requires so much time and expertise.
In particular, you’ll discover the traditional molding process using a brie shovel, as well as the work of the producers and ripeners. The museum does more than just explain a recipe: it places the cheese within the history of Brie and the daily life of the region. Old boxes, advertisements, and objects related to rural trades show just how much Brie de Meaux goes far beyond the simple product you buy at the cheese shop.
Its nickname , “king of cheeses,” wasn’t just made up for tourist brochures. Brie de Meaux is said to have earned this title at the Congress of Vienna in the early 19th century, following a tasting organized by Talleyrand. The tour also explores the stories and legends surrounding the cheese, from Charlemagne to Henry IV.
The most anticipated part is, of course, the tasting. La Maison du Brie regularly offers tastings of Meaux AOP Brie with explanations from a guide, especially on weekends. It’s an opportunity to discuss aging, texture, and flavor, but also to understand why two pieces of Brie can be very different depending on their maturity.
So, for a treat and a learning experience, head to this little-known museum in the Paris region!
📍Location: Maison du Brie de Meaux – 5, Place Charles de Gaulle, Meaux
📆 Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.