This tiny cheesemonger by the Canal St-Martin is brimming with dairy delights. Selling a wide range of cheeses, wines and cured meats to take home, La Vache des Vignes also serves its produce on the spot for just a few extra euros. With seating for just fourteen people, the owners have created a warm atmosphere with bottles of wine stacked to the ceiling on wooden shelves, a glass shop front looking out onto the canal, and playful illustrations of cheeses and wines hand drawn onto the chalkboard-painted walls.
Well-stocked with wheels of classic favourites, this spot also offers smaller, more adventurous varieties among an enticing selection of Camembert, Morbier, Cantal, Saint-Nectaire and many more. We started with the creamy, subtle Napoléon Commingeois complemented by a light and fruity glass of Crozes Hermitage du Domaine Melody (€5.50 a glass), moving on to a subtly spiced, wax-coated organic Cheddar (€8) and a glass of flavoursome L’Arbouse du Mas Brugière (€5.50 a glass). Whatever appetite we had left was satisfied by the soft-crusted, melting Banon Fermier wrapped in leaves (€6.50) – an elegant addition to our platter. The staff will happily wrap up whatever you haven’t eaten for you to take home.
Those that don’t know their Emmental from their Brie needn’t worry – the service is exceptional. Owners Selim and Marwen and their helpful staff are brimming with advice, matching cheeses to wines and going so far as to recommend the best order to taste the cheeses in. Consider booking ahead on weekends.