List of French cheeses

In 1962, French President Charles de Gaulle asked, "How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?

[2] French cheeses are broadly grouped into eight categories, 'les huit familles de fromage'.

[2] Under the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, certain established cheeses, including many French varieties, are covered by a protected designation of origin (PDO), and other, less stringent, designations of geographical origin for traditional specialities, such as the EU Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

The majority are classified as Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), the highest level of protection.

Some are also protected under the less stringent but still legally regulated designation Label Régional (LR).