In the US I was never a Brie cheese fan.
But eating Brie where it's made is a delicious shock to the taste buds.
The 1rst Saturday of October, Melun, just 20 minutes east of Paris, celebrates it's Brie. The festival takes over the town. Melun's shield design dates from the 15th century.
Last year I left empty handed. Not this time. The first Brie seller I came across, conveniently placed in front of a local fromager, immediately got my €€.
Tent after tent offering Brie tastings, local honeys, rose 🌹 nectars, Champagne 🍾 Plus a lunch menu at restaurant 'Maryland' - every course soup-to-nuts embellished with Brie.
Back in the cheese shop, less auspicious hands cut up my quarter slice.
Bries from all the surrounding towns, Coulommiers, Meaux are on offer with subtle aromas of cream, butter, hazelnuts and made from raw cow's milk.
Cows 🐄 always participate at the fete. Glasses of fresh milk 🥛 are handed out on the spot.
Cows 🐄 are everywhere in Melun. Hard to miss.
I was tempted by the ready-cooked chestnuts, but 2 1/2 pounds is a lot of chestnuts for one person unless I have a chestnut 🌰 party.
I loved ❤️ the Champagne 🍾 jeroboams including a set of glass flutes 🥂
The Normans sacked Melun in 845. There's plenty of history here.
A different view of the Seine from a different bridge. Melun is in district Seine-et-Marne.
Back in Paris I ran out to catch my first 'Nuits Blanches' at yet to open musée Picasso.
When I got home my Brie was left out on the counter. Runny, almost soupy. Perfection on a slice of baguette 🥖
There is nothing like eating French food bought at it's site of origin. Nothing compares.
