How to Make A French Cheese Board: Your Step-by-Step Guide

How To Make A French Cheese Board: Your Step-by-Step Guide

France and cheese—it’s a love story as classic as baguettes and wine. In France, cheese isn’t just food; it’s a way of life. Many French people eat a bit of cheese with almost every meal, choosing a variety of flavors and textures that reflect different regions.

If you’re ready to embrace French culture from your own kitchen, this guide has everything you need to whip up the perfect cheese board—from must-have ingredients to simple tips for an impressive spread.

What Is A French Cheese Board?

A French cheese board, or “plateau de fromage,” is a beautifully arranged assortment of France’s most popular cheeses. It’s typically served as a course of its own, usually after the main meal and before dessert.

What makes a French cheese board unique is the emphasis on highlighting a range of textures, milk sources (cow’s milk, goat cheese, etc.), and origins, providing a taste tour of different regions in France.

In France, cheese boards are an art, balancing mild, creamy options with bold, flavorful choices, so everyone has a taste they can enjoy.

And beyond cheese, French boards are often paired with fresh or dried fruits, honey, nuts, and sometimes a charcuterie board to boost each bite.

Fromagerie exterior of a shop in Paris with cheese.

What Are The Best French Cheeses For A Cheese Board?

To build a truly authentic French cheese board, try to use these classic French cheeses. This lineup offers a variety of textures, flavors, and milk sources to suit any palate:

Brie and Camembert – Soft, creamy, and mild, these crowd-pleasers are perfect for spreading on a baguette.
Crottin de Chavignol – A semi-soft goat cheese that’s tangy and earthy, excellent for adding variety.
Comté – A semi-hard cow’s milk cheese with nutty undertones; it’s slightly sweet and perfectly aged.
Roquefort – A bold blue cheese made from sheep’s milk, adding a strong, sharp element to the board.
Reblochon – This semi-soft cheese from the Alps brings a creamy texture and buttery taste.
Saint-Marcellin – A lesser-known but delicious soft cow’s milk cheese, perfect for adding depth.
Chèvre – The quintessential French goat cheese, light, tangy, and perfect for layering in flavors.
Triple Cream – An ultra-creamy option for those who love rich, buttery cheeses.

These cheeses give your board a diverse range of flavors and textures, from the milky softness of Brie to the tangy sharpness of blue cheese.

Cheese on a table at a cafe, showing how to make a French cheese board.

How To Build A French Cheese Board

Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a French cheese board that’s easy on the eyes and even better on the taste buds.

Step 1: Select the Cheeses

When you’re shopping for a French cheese board, aim for a selection that includes various textures and flavors. Try to have at least one soft cheese (like Brie), one semi-soft cheese (like Comté), one hard cheese (such as Mimolette), and one blue cheese (like Roquefort). This variety allows each cheese to stand out while offering a well-rounded tasting experience.

Step 2: Let the Cheese Reach Room Temperature

Always serve cheese at room temperature because it allows the flavors to fully develop. About 30 minutes before serving, take the cheeses out of the fridge to let them warm up naturally.

Step 3: Arrange the Cheeses

On a large wooden board or platter, arrange your cheeses with space between each. Soft cheeses like Brie and triple cream should be easy to reach for spreading, while semi-soft options like Comté should be pre-cut into small wedges.

For hard cheeses, you can cut a few pieces to get started, but leave a small cheese knife for guests to cut more.

Step 4: Add Accompaniments

Classic French accompaniments include dried fruits like apricots or figs, fresh fruit like grapes or apple slices, and nuts (walnuts or almonds are popular).

You can also add olives, honey, or a fruit jam for sweetness. Leave enough space for these items, as they’ll add color and flavor contrast to the board.

Step 5: Include Bread and Crackers

A French cheese board isn’t complete without a traditional baguette! Slice it thinly and arrange it in a fan shape for visual appeal. You can also add thin crackers, but the French usually stick with bread to let the cheese shine.

Step 6: Serve with Wine (Optional)

Wine is often a must-have pairing with a French cheese board. Choose a light white or a bold red, depending on the cheeses. For example, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with goat cheese, while a deep Bordeaux complements aged cow’s milk cheeses like Comté.

5 French Cheese Board Ideas

If you’re looking for ideas to mix up your French cheese board, here are some themed boards to try:

1. The Parisian Classic

Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Comté, and Roquefort.
Accents: Fresh grapes, sliced apple, and a small pot of honey.
Why It Works: This is the classic French spread with a mix of mild, creamy, and bold flavors.

2. All About Goat Cheese

Cheeses: Crottin de Chavignol, Chèvre, Valençay, and Saint-Maure.
Accents: Dried apricots, fresh pear slices, and roasted almonds.
Why It Works: Ideal for goat cheese lovers, this board focuses on tangy flavors and different aging levels of goat cheese.

3. The Alpine Board

Cheeses: Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, Abondance, and Beaufort.
Accents: Dried fruits, walnuts, and crusty bread.
Why It Works: Bringing a bit of the Alps to your table, these cheeses are slightly nutty and rich, perfect with wintery accompaniments.

4. French Farmhouse

Cheeses: Brie, Roquefort, Comté, and a triple cream.
Accents: Fresh figs, honeycomb, and hazelnuts.
Why It Works: This board feels like a French countryside picnic, with earthy flavors balanced by sweet and creamy textures.

5. Bold and Blue

Cheeses: Roquefort, Fourme d’Ambert, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Gorgonzola.
Accents: Sliced pear, walnut halves, and a drizzle of honey.
Why It Works: Perfect for blue cheese fans, this board highlights the strong flavors of French blues and pairs well with sweet accompaniments.

What’s your favorite French cheese? Have you tried making a cheese board before? Let me know in the comments, and share your best cheese-pairing tips!

For more on French foods, check out my guide on “what French people eat.”

Where To Buy Cheese Board Accessories

You can buy cheese from a local cheese shop or even a grocery store. For basic cheese essentials like boards, knives, and accessories, check places like Pottery Barn, Target, and even Amazon.

How to Make A French Cheese Board: Your Step-by-Step Guide