Vacherin Mont-D’Or Museum

Parc naturel régional Jura vaudois - The Vacherin Mont-d’Or Museum tells the story of the cheese from the Vallée de Joux in its birthplace: the village of Les Charbonnières.

A typical soft cheese, Vacherin Mont-d’Or is one of Switzerland’s most popular traditional dishes. Discover the secrets of its artisanal production and some delicious recipes by visiting the Vacherin Mont-d’Or Museum in the Vallée de Joux (by appointment).

Open by appointment for groups, the Charbonnières farm-museum houses a collection of artefacts and documents relating to the production of Vacherin Mont-d’Or. Assembled by Jean-Michel Rochat, an artisan Vacherin ripener, these items also recount the history of this cheese.

Vacherin Mont-d’Or was developed in the Vallée de Joux in the early 19th century. Produced only in winter, it first went on sale from Les Charbonnières, a village on the shores of Lake Brenet, opposite the Dent de Vaulion. In 2003, it was awarded a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which guarantees its origin and its packaging in its famous spruce wood box.

The ‘Caves du Pèlerin’, a traditional maturing house, and the museum invite you on a journey from the cellar to the table!
You can enjoy a baked Vacherin on the spot or buy one of the many local specialities: Gruyère, alpine cheese, Tomme Vaudoise, goat’s and sheep’s cheese, raclette, snails, honey, dry sausages or gentian brandy.