‘La Fromagerie du Comtat’ owned by Claudine Vigier, was voted as best cheesemaker in France in 2009. Downtown Carpentras and everywhere around, when talking about cheese, Claudine Vigier is THE reference.
Customers are being welcomed with a very big smile by the cheesemaster herself and / or her excellent staff behind the counter in her pretty little shop downtown Carpentras. They are all true experts in their field. It is so nice to be served and advised by them. Love it !
It’s all in the details
Before diving my greedy look in the window, I cannot help but look around. On the wall, I see bells that once accompanied the goats and some painted portraits. One of a friendly donkey and a lovely cow. Furthermore, you will see diplomas and honorary titles of the Guild of cheese and more … you will understand that she is a true ‘Maître Fromagère’ !
Milk cans…lots of them !
Looking up, you see hundreds of milk cans hanging from the ceiling, reminding us of our childhood, just like in a fairy tale. There are more than 400 !!! Patiently collected by Mrs.Vigier, some coming from her grandmother who raised goats at the foot of the Mont Ventoux and many others received from abroad as a token of respect.
Laguiole
Claudine’s passion for cheese started from childhood. She even married a famous Parisian master cheesemaker, Mr. Roland Barthélemy. He is associated as expert counselor to the ‘Forge de Laguiole’ knives factory, for creating specific objects for cheesemakers. A small marvel of precision, micro geared and perforated to slip into the dough gently and gracefully without bursting the cheese.
Specialties
But back to the shop window… where we are exposed to so many different kinds of cheeses ! Here you see just a small but exquisite collection on a tree sliced plate, which is for sale in the shop.
Terroir
And her ambition doesn’t stop there. Claudine, whose grandfather was a winemaker in Villes-sur-Auzon next to the Mont Ventoux speaks to her customers with the same enthusiasm of wine & cheese pairings. Entering her little shop, she makes you travel in the terroirs of France and well beyond.
Location and contact information
Fromagerie du Comtat
23 place de la Mairie
84200 Carpentras
Provence
+33(0)4 90 60 00 17 claudine.vigier@orange.fr
She also has a very active facebook page maintained by her great assistant of 10 years, Brigitte. If you click here, you can follow the daily happenings in and around the shop.
Gourmets
Almost forgot to mention…the ‘Friday Gourmets’.
Friday morning is market day in Carpentras and in high season (from mid-June to mid-September) a lovely terrace is displayed in front of the shop where you can enjoy a wine / cheese / charcuterie pairing, joined by a music band for just the right ambiance…Couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend !
Beware of mouth watering !
For the ones who have been following me on this blog know that I always like to add some additional photo impressions. You can click on each photograph to enlarge…
Let it be clear, making and selling cheese at Fromagerie Vigier is not just a profession but a true PASSION !
Superbe.claudine Best of show
N’est-ce pas Mr Barthélemy ! :)