Maroilles Cheese Farm Visit

The Maroilles Cheese Farm Visit is a two-and-a-half-hour guided experience in the village of Maroilles, in the Avesnois area of the Hauts-de-France region, home of the washed-rind cow's-milk cheese that carries the village's name. The visit is run by Fromagerie Fauquet, which takes bookings by phone on +33 3 27 77 71 94 or at the farm shop on the Route du Fromage, 59550 Maroilles. The programme begins with a guided farm tour explaining how the cheese is made in this corner of northern France, followed by a visit to the cheese cellar, where the cheeses are turned and washed as they ripen and develop their strong orange rind and pungent aroma. The tour ends with a tasting of four cheeses, a savoury-only experience with no sweet component, which lets visitors compare the cheese at different stages and styles. A take-home cheese is included in the price of €30 (about $32) per person, so the tasting is also a way to buy directly from the maker. Drinks beyond the tastings, meals and transport to Maroilles are not listed as included, and the village is best reached by car. The tour is rated 4.5 and is listed as running from April to October. The pace is relaxed, with time spent standing in the dairy and cellar, and the cellar is cool and humid. Group size and language of the commentary are not stated in the listing, and the experience is built entirely around dairy, so there are no dietary substitutions to speak of beyond declining particular cheeses. Visitors who dislike strong smells may find the cellar intense, as Maroilles is one of the most assertive cheeses in France.