Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun and Brie de Coulommiers all come from the Île-de-France region, particularly Seine-et-Marne (77), and belong to the large family of soft, bloomy-rind cheeses.
Made from cow's milk, they share a common appearance: a white, slightly downy rind, a creamy center that is more or less runny depending on the maturing process, and an ivory paste that tends to soften over time.
Yet behind this visual resemblance, each one develops its own characteristics, starting with its size, taste, manufacturing method and official status.
We take a look at the differences between Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun and Brie de Coulommiers, so you'll never have to choose between the three at the cheese shop again!
Brie de Meaux, often dubbed the"king of cheeses", is without doubt the most famous of the three. It is a large cheese (up to 36 cm in diameter, weighing almost 3 kg!), with a supple texture and a mild, fruity, sometimes slightly nutty taste.
It has had PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status since 1992, guaranteeing strict specifications. Maturing generally lasts between four and eight weeks, during which time it develops a subtle, accessible and consensual flavor that appeals to the widest possible audience.
La maison du Brie de Meaux, the cultural institution dedicated to the famous cheese, in Meaux (77)
For lovers of fine French cheeses, there's a museum near Meaux, in the Seine-et-Marne département, dedicated to the town's star product, Brie de Meaux. [Read more]
Do you love cheese, especially Brie de Meaux? In Seine-et-Marne, enjoy a gourmet weekend of free events and tastings in the Episcopal city of Meaux. [Read more]
Brie de Melun, also a PDO, has a more distinctive personality. Smaller than its Meaux cousin (around 27 cm in diameter), it has a more powerful, salty taste, with aromas of fermentation and sometimes undergrowth.
This is partly due to a different production method: the milk coagulates more slowly, resulting in a firmer texture and more pronounced character. More rustic in approach, it will appeal to lovers of cheeses with character.
On October 4, it's time to head to Melun for Melun fête son brie, an event that puts the famous round cheese in the spotlight. [Read more]
As for Brie de Coulommiers, it stands out on several levels. It does not have an AOP, which explains the greater variability in its production. Available in raw or pasteurized milk versions, it is smaller (15 to 20 cm in diameter) and lighter (around 500 to 700 g).
Its taste is milder, its texture often creamier, making it an easy cheese to approach. It is sometimes considered a smaller version of Brie de Meaux, but it has its own identity, thanks in particular to a slightly thicker rind and a slightly milky flavor.
On September 28 and 29, 2025, Coulommiers will be celebrating the pride of its gastronomic heritage: Brie cheese. [Read more]
Three cheeses with common roots, but very distinct personalities: Brie de Meaux charms with its size and soft, fruity balance, Brie de Melun has a fuller-bodied, saltier taste, while Brie de Coulommiers plays the simplicity card, both in terms of size and creaminess!
You think you know the Paris region like the back of your hand, but how well do you know its terroir? Don't delay in discovering the culinary specialties of Île-de-France! [Read more]
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Location
Meaux
2 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
77100 Meaux
Official website
www.ville-meaux.fr
La maison du Brie de Meaux, the cultural institution dedicated to the famous cheese, in Meaux (77)
Brie Happy: the gastronomic weekend for cheese lovers, in Meaux (77)
Coulommiers aime son brie, the not-to-be-missed cheese event in Seine-et-Marne
The Paris region through its terroir : Discover the culinary specialties of Île-de-France
