Regional cheese and cream stores Rennes

Young artisan ripeners, Guylaine and Sébastien Balé have carved out a fine reputation for themselves in Rennes. The expertise of this family-run business has captured the hearts of the Rennes community. Opened in April 2000, the intimate, uncluttered boutique specializes in maturing artisanal and farmhouse cheeses. Here, cheese is young, uncomplicated and a quality delicacy. Everything is matured with heart, according to the season. And we've chosen Etivaz, a Swiss cheese cooked over a wood fire, Fiancé des Pyrénées, a raw-milk creation made like a Reblochon, and Espresso Bellavitano, hand-rubbed with Italian coffee beans. Because three's a crowd...

A former English teacher, Lénaïc Huet-Martel returned to his native region with a long-held ambition: to devote his time and energy to his passion for cheese. This has now been achieved, with the opening of his own store in the Baud Chardonnet district. Here, he offers a selection of cheeses and creamery products, a range of charcuterie by the slice, as well as local delicatessen products. Most cheeses are PDO, such as Langres champenois from the Rémillet farm, or locally sourced, such as La Petite Marceline from the Aulnays farm. Sandwiches can be prepared on request at lunchtime, with a variety of cheeses of course.

This old-fashioned storefront in the heart of rue Saint-Hélier is home to the oldest cheese factory in Rennes, open since 1979! In this small shop, Vincent Thomas has been unearthing and showcasing his cheeses for more than 14 years, paying particular attention to local origins. On the generously stocked shelves, there are more than 150 A.O.C or A.O.P cheeses, with a growing selection of organic cheeses. We also discover products such as gwell ("gros lait" in Breton), a Finisterian speciality made only from the milk of the Breton black magpie cow. Classics such as camembert, blue-veined pasta or goat's milk, cow's milk cheeses will allow you to make a very tasty cheese platter at a very reasonable price. Recent work has made it possible to extend the creamery corner which offers milk, fresh cream, white cheeses and yoghurts made from Jersey cow's milk, produced in Langan. A friendly welcome, professional advice, freshness and quality are to be discovered. You can also take advantage of wine and cheese advice and buy cider, homemade beer and jams. An address which smells good the soil.

The Jean-Yves Bordier cheese dairy needs no introduction, and has earned a fine reputation among top chefs. From the outset, this cheese-maker and refiner has been proud of the quality of his products. His butters reflect the exacting standards and originality that characterize our enthusiast. His team also stands out, like Vincent Philippe, crowned champion at the 2023 world competition for the best cheesemaker. We recommend our seaweed butter, with its unique iodized fragrance. Unless, of course, you prefer the orange flavor of Espelette pepper or raspberry butter. You'll also discover cheeses and dairy products made with respect for the lactation rhythms of the animals.

New to this neighborhood, which already boasts a number of food shops, the Gilbert dairy completes the range of products on offer for a well-stocked basket. Manager Ronan selects around a hundred varieties of cheese from all over France, mainly PDO cheeses such as Comté from Marcel Petite or Brie de Meaux from Dongé. A few local references are also available, including fresh goats' cheeses from the Amenlis goat dairy. Tip: try the artisanal Roquefort vieux berger, one of the last to benefit from the Roquefort appellation. Delicious! A range of charcuterie and delicatessen products are also available.

With its flashy green storefront, it's hard to miss this new cheese shop in the Mabilais district. Behind the counter, Céline and Benoît greet us with a smile. Céline, a former court clerk, and Benoît, a former engineer, met while training to become cheese makers. Céline joined the adventure launched by Benoît, that of a neighborhood cheese shop offering good local products. Among the hundred or so products on offer are tommes from the ferme de la sablonnière, camemberts from Brittany, bries from the ferme des aulnays... All accompanied by grocery products, charcuterie and a creamery section. At lunchtime, seasonal sandwiches are also prepared.