How to Make the Perfect Planche de Fromage (Cheese Board)

A planche de fromage is a fun and tasty way to enjoy cheese with your friends and family. It is also called a cheese board. You can serve it at parties, dinners, or even a picnic. Let’s learn how to build the perfect one!

What Is a Planche de Fromage?

A planche de fromage is a board with many kinds of cheese. You can also add bread, fruit, nuts, and other snacks. People love it because it’s easy to make, looks pretty, and tastes amazing!

What Should You Put on Your Cheese Board?

You want to mix different textures and flavors. Use at least 3 to 5 types of cheese. Here’s a list:

Types of Cheese

Soft cheese: Brie, Camembert, Saint-Marcellin
Hard cheese: Comté, Cantal, Emmental
Goat cheese: Chèvre frais, Pélardon, Banon
Blue cheese: Roquefort, Bleu d’Auvergne, Fourme d’Ambert
Washed-rind cheese: Reblochon, Munster, Époisses

Savory Add-ons

Charcuterie: Jambon cru, saucisson sec, prosciutto
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews
Olives: Green or black
Crackers and bread: Baguette, pain aux noix, breadsticks

Sweet Add-ons

Fruits: Grapes, figs, apples
Dried fruits: Apricots, dates, raisins
Jam or honey: Fig jam, orange marmalade, lavender honey

Want more ideas? Read How to Make the Perfect Cheese Platter for inspiration!

Table: Popular Cheese + Pairing Ideas

Cheese	Sweet Pairing	Savory Pairing	Best Wine
Brie	Figs	Nuts	White wine
Roquefort	Honey	Walnuts	Red wine
Goat cheese	Grapes	Olives	Rosé
Comté	Apples	Breadsticks	White wine
Camembert	Pear slices	Crackers	Sparkling wine

How to Arrange a Beautiful Cheese Board

Here are a few easy steps to make your board look great:

Start with cheese: Place the big pieces first. Spread them out.
Add small items: Fill in spaces with fruit, nuts, and snacks.
Use tools: Include a cheese knife, spoons for jam, and tongs for charcuterie.
Use a wooden or slate board: It looks natural and rustic.
Mix colors and textures: This makes it more appetizing.

For more on looks and layout, check out The Ultimate Guide to Crafting the Perfect Cheese Board

What Wine Goes with a Cheese Board?

Wine and cheese are best friends. According to a Sopexa food report, 68% of cheese boards are served with wine.

Try These Combos:

Brie + White wine
Blue cheese + Sweet wine or Port
Goat cheese + Rosé
Comté + Red wine
Camembert + Sparkling wine

You can also serve beer, non-alcoholic cider, or even grape juice.

Best Times to Serve a Planche de Fromage

Cheese boards are great for all kinds of events:

Apéritif dinatoire (evening snack party)
Dinner with friends
Birthdays or holidays
Picnics and brunches
Casual get-togethers

👉 Fun fact: 72% of cheese boards are enjoyed during apéro time in France!

Planche de Fromage vs Planche Mixte

A planche mixte includes both cheese and charcuterie.

Planche	What’s On It?	When to Serve
Planche de fromage	Only cheese + fruit/nuts/jam	Wine tastings, brunch
Planche mixte	Cheese + cold meats (charcuterie)	Parties, casual dinners

Want both? Go for a mixte board with cheese, meats, and veggies!

Read The Ultimate Guide to Charcuterie Boards for tips on charcuterie!

Where to Buy a Ready-Made Cheese Board

You don’t always have to make it yourself. Here’s where to buy one:

Shops and Online

Local fromageries (cheese shops) like Fromagerie MonS or Maison Lorho
Grocery stores with pre-made plateaux de fromages
Online shops like La Box Fromage
Food delivery apps with gourmet options

Did you know? Sales of pre-made cheese boards rose +24% last year in France (Nielsen, 2023).

Helpful Cheese Board Data

Here’s a quick look at real numbers behind the cheese board trend:

Fact	Details
96% of French homes eat cheese regularly	CNIEL
Cheese board spending: 15–25€ per person	Food guides
Most common pairings: baguette (87%), nuts (62%), honey/jam (54%)	Fromage blogs
Cheese box subscriptions grew +43% after 2020	La Box Fromage
Instagram posts using #planchedefromage: Over 1 million	Instagram, 2024

FAQ: Quick Questions About Cheese Boards

How many cheeses per person?
→ Plan for 150g to 200g per person.

Can I prepare it ahead of time?
→ Yes, but don’t slice cheese too early. Cover and chill.

When should I take cheese out of the fridge?
→ 30 to 60 minutes before serving.

Do I need labels for cheese types?
→ Labels are helpful, especially for guests.

What size board should I use?
→ A large wooden or slate board works best. You can also use a tray or serving dish.

Fromage Tips from the Pros

Cheesemongers like La Mère Richard, Affineur Marcel Petite, and Fromageries Paul Dischamp suggest using local cheeses, such as:

Brillat-Savarin from Bourgogne
Ossau-Iraty from the Basque region
Saint-Nectaire from Auvergne

These AOP cheeses (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) are perfect for a French terroir-style board.

Final Tips

To sum up, your planche de fromage should be:

Balanced: soft, hard, goat, and blue cheeses
Colorful: mix fruits, meats, and crackers
Well-paired: match cheeses with wine or juices
Fun to eat: offer different textures and flavors

Want to try something new? Explore our full GIGI Gourmet Menu or shop for gourmet items at the GIGI Boutique.

Contact Info’s:

📧 Email Address: contact@gigigourmet.fr

📞 Contact Number: +33 6 11 60 07 71

Locations:

📍 Location: 89 Rue St Denis, 75001 Paris, France

📍 Location: 120 Rue St Denis, 75002 Paris, France

Direction:

📍 Location: 89 Rue St Denis

➡️ Direction: https://g.co/kgs/1112FTK

📍 Location: 120 Rue St Denis

➡️ Direction: https://g.co/kgs/CbyC7fq

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