Traveling in France: Meaux

A while ago, we traveled to a town not far from Paris called Meaux (sounds like mow).

We chose to visit Meaux because it is the home of Brie de Meaux, one of France's many varieties of fromage (cheese).  It is estimated that France has more than 1,000 types of cheese.  

When we first arrived in Meaux, we visited the center of town and discovered a large garden next to the Cathedral and Bishop's Palace.   Because we visited in June, the garden was filled with colorful flowers, including roses.  Check it out.  

In the garden, we also discovered some goat-like creatures roaming around.  Caprine art.

We next walked to the Fromagerie de Saint-Faron, which is both a working cheesemaking factory and a museum.  We toured the museum and factory, learning a lot about the long history of making brie. 

We also tasted some varieties of Brie de Meaux.  Blessed are the cheesemakers!

They know cheese in Meaux and they take it seriously with extensive training and certification.  Below are photos of some graduates.  We dubbed them "cheeseheads".

Near the cheese museum, there is a large museum dedicated to the Great War.  We toured the museum, which opened in 2011, and learned a lot about World War I.  

You can learn more about the museum by clicking here.

Next to the museum is a large monument dedicated to French soldiers who fell during the First Battle of the Marne in 1914.  The monument marks the battlefield where the French army stopped the German army from taking Meaux.  The monument, erected in 1932 by the United States, is called La Liberté éplorée ("Tearful Liberty").  

Thanks for visiting Meaux with us.