It’s no secret that the French have a real love affair with cheese. But what would you say to having the world’s most diverse cheese platter at your disposal? To discover this record-breaking platter, there’s no need to leave our beloved France. Follow us as we take you to the paradise of camembert, reblochon, morbier, maroilles, raclette and all the other cheeses in between.
111 cheeses to taste to your heart’s content, on a 30-metre-long platter.
There are a multitude of cheeses in the world. They differ in shape, texture and taste. Hard, soft, pressed, blue-veined, with a bloomy rind… Whether small, large, in wheels, with holes or in the form of a log, cheeses delight the palates of connoisseurs. In fact, in France, eating cheese every day is an integral part of the French art de vivre. And today, we’re talking about a true gastronomic record. In the heart of this French restaurant, discover the world’s largest cheese platter. Yes, yes, in the world. It’s enough to make your mouth water!
An ode to the arts of the table in Aude
But where to find this astronomical platter, where to eat all-you-can-eat cheese? Head for Les Grands Buffets, an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant in Narbonne, Aude. Extremely popular with gourmets, Les Grands Buffets is the world showcase for the cuisine of Auguste Escoffier, the inventor of the culinary arts in the 19th century. In this historic setting, the great classics of French cuisine take center stage. Gourmets can sample no fewer than 150 of Auguste Escoffier’s recipes at their leisure. Starters, main courses and desserts… whether you eat a little, a lot or passionately, the menu is available at the single price of 62.90 euros.
Much more than an all-you-can-eat buffet, the Grands Buffets restaurant has established itself as a veritable feast on the French landscape. And it’s so successful that you’ll need to book up to a year in advance. But it’s well worth the effort. Could it be the gargantuan cheeseboard? Probably partly…
The world’s largest cheese platter, 4 hours by train from Paris
Yes, as of 2018, the French establishment boasts the largest cheese platter IN THE WORLD! A record recognized by Guinness World Records in 2020, which recorded no fewer than 111 cheeses on site ready to be tasted. From Manchego to Swiss Gruyère, Tête de Moine, mozzarella, goat’s crottin, Salers, Roquefort or Tomme de Savoie, the varieties are piling up.
To ensure the perfect tasting experience, the Grands Buffets de Narbonne team has set up a 30-metre-long platter entirely dedicated to cheese. To create this cheese paradise, Les Grands Buffets founder Louis Privat and his wife Jane, accompanied by Xavier Thuret – Meilleur ouvrier de France Fromager – travelled to the very heart of the terroirs of France and Europe. And every day, no less than 500 kg of cheeses are placed on this tray, worthy of a huge cheese dairy.
Fans of cheese? A train ticket to Narbonne, a 4-hour journey, and don’t hesitate to visit the Grands Buffets! Say CHEESE!
Les Grands Buffets, founded in 1989 – Rond point de la Liberté, 11 110 Narbonne