Les Alpages cheese shop

A world champion cheese monger and spokesperson for his country

A mighty tone, cheeky humor, and the gift of the gab. But above all, an excellent product...and cheese master. Les Alpages cheese shop has become a not-to-be missed stop off the Route de Napoleon.

Bernard Mure-Ravaud, master cheese monger and officially one of France's best, proudly wears the colors and the culture of the Alps. A phenomenon whose reputation and ability to fascinate stretches beyond the limits the capital of the Dauphiné.

He runs an unbelievably varied boutique and fantastic cheese cellar where the aromas of ripening cheeses greet the nose. Such is the impression that the traveler gets when he crosses the threshold of Bernard Mure-Ravaud's shop. France's best cheese monger has the credentials to confirm the claim-he was designated world's best cheese monger at the Caseus Awards and Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2007.

Come in and he will take care of the rest. Embark on an unforgettable culinary voyage with his honest and kindly advice but most of all with an exceptional choice of cheeses, where all the regions are amply represented. Saint Marcellin, Vercors-Sassenage Blue, Alpine beauforts, Tignes blues, even pétafine (a potent mix of left over cheeses, garlic, and strong alcohol, left to ripen)-France's mountains hold prime place.

The Alps are of course present, but so are Normandy, the North of France, even Great Britain! Forget about what you thought you knew about cheese. Here the master of the house has a gift to suggest and surprise. Sought out by Grenoble locals, fine connoisseurs when it comes to cheese, Bernard Mure-Ravaud is the faithful councilor of some of the region's most notable chefs, including Christophe Aribert, double starred chef of the Terrasses d'Uriage fine restaurant.

Bernard Mure-Ravaud is a Grenoble native. Self-taught, he opened his first cheese shop at age 20 out of sheer interest in the product. He was named France's best in 2007 and world champion that same year. In this family-value based operation, quality is everyone's business. Christian Muglia, Bernard Mure-Ravaud's second in command, is on his way to following his master's footsteps. At the age of 25, he has already been crowned 2009 champion of France for the most beautiful cheese platter, a title awarding work that highlights the visual appeal of cheese.

After 25 years spent in the same shop at 2 rue de Strasbourg, where Les Alpages served up to 200 clients a day, they moved 20 meters down the street to 4 rue de Strasbourg in order to welcome the clients in more comfortable and spacious conditions. A window below the cheese counter lets clients see the ripening cellars underground and the tasteful decoration perfectly accentuates the authenticity of the products and the savors.

Laiterie Bayard

A third generation cheese monger

François Blanc-Gonnet is at the head of this large cheese shop that opened its doors in 1931. He is the third generation in a family of cheese sellers who are particularly attached to their region. Dedicated to quality work, he only selects farm-based cheeses from makers who have proven that the family's trust is well deserved. He regularly travels directly to surrounding farms in order to find the best available products.  

In the shop, a large display counter does justice to regional cheese. For this grand professional, each cheese is above all the signature of a territory, of certain savoir faire, and of a product. He offers an exceptional choice of regional cheeses, in particular Alpine beaufort, (produced in the summer and then ripened for 12 to 24 months), goat cheeses, and of course the Vercors-Sassenage Blue, which he helped to win the AOC label.

Since 1975, François Blanc-Gonnet has also been developing his wine offer. For this product, he shares the same passion and same high standards as for his cheeses. He is specialized in great Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, but only from the houses that have managed to hold on to their soul, as he likes to remind clients. As president of the jury of Gresivaudan wines, he upholds natural and local wines like Le Persan, a white Savoy wine from the Bauges mountains, or the Verde, an aromatic, fruity, and dry red that every wine lover should try.

This talented cheese monger suggests cheese and wine pairings to his clients, as well as tasting classes, built around a cheese- or wine-producing region, in the company of a wine maker. But here, there is no standard formula. All class programs are custom built.

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