Francois Priet Fromager — Specialty Store in Père Lachaise, Paris

Francois Priet Fromager is an independent specialty shop on Rue des Pyrénées, the cheese stop for the Père Lachaise side of the 20th, a short walk from Gambetta station. You come in off the street to a counter and a case, and the talk at the counter is about cheese.

The fondue is the thing to ask about first. Staff advice helps you get it right, and it is the pick that comes up most. Swiss Emmental is the other one worth carrying home, and the goat cheeses run wide enough that you can work through several in a visit.

The shop works over a counter, so expect to wait your turn and to ask for what you want rather than serve yourself. Advice is part of the transaction here, and it is worth taking: the team knows the stock and will steer you. Tastings are not part of the routine at the counter, so buy on the description and on what you already like.

Spend is modest for the format: a few items land in the €5–20 band, so a small selection for a picnic or a dinner at home does not run away with the budget. Tuesday to Saturday it stays open until 8 pm, which leaves room for an evening stop after a walk through the neighbourhood. Sunday is a short morning only, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and Monday the shutters are down.

Waits can stretch at the counter. Come with time to spare and a clear idea of what you want, and the cheese is worth it. It suits anyone building a cheese course or a fondue night, and anyone staying nearby who wants a proper counter rather than a supermarket shelf.