It was one of those mystically foggy days when we arrived at an altitude of 1150 m at the most famous and renowned cheese cellar in the Jura region. Even when entering the shop leading us to the tour of the 2nd largest fortress in France in the heart of Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, I could feel the air full of notes of Comté cheese. There was a touch of milk, cream, nuts, mushrooms, dried fruit, yoghurt, ammoniac (a natural component in maturing cheese), and so much more.

The guide locked the door, and we disappeared into the world of cheese, walking through tunnels that once played a significant role in the history of France and Europe politically and still play a grand role, just in a different way, providing the world with one of the most delicious and iconic cheeses, hidden in the caves for month and years.

Witnessing the magic of over 100,000 Comté cheese wheels proudly sleeping next to each other, waiting for their turn to be tasted and turned around, we passed by so many storage rooms that, at one point, I forgot to count. Rows of pure gold, which many swear to be able to choose as their only food to continue their life on the earth, greeted us, tempting to touch and smell, while the guide told the most raw, exciting and surprising stories about this place that

No wonder people stand in lines (online) to experience this tour. It is not just a tour of cheesemaking and tasting. It is an hour of history of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the history of Europe, France, the region, and Comté cheese. This tour opens so many senses and makes you appreciate that world-renowned cheese even more.