An abridged and possibly incorrect history lesson that is also definitely partly legend about Valençay: For a few years, Napoleon fought his way around Syria and Egypt. Although he achieved great victories, he also suffered serious losses. Between these defeats and disease, his armies were depleted and ready to retreat home to France. It’s no wonder, then, that Napoleon was in a bad mood when he stopped at a castle in Valençay on his way back from Egypt. That night, they served him their local pyramid-shaped goat cheese. “Mon dieu!” he might have cried angrily, immediately thinking of the bloody and useless campaign he just left. He pulled out his sword and chopped off the top of the goat cheese pyramid, and from then on, Valençay, the soft, ash covered goat cheese, was made in the shape of a truncated pyramid! The French have the best cheese stories …

If you are looking for one statement cheese to have at dinner or to give as a gift, this is a great choice. It is eye-catching with its unique shape and grey suede rind, and has a satisfying texture – crumbly when young, becoming creamier with age. It smells like pasture and hay, and tastes like salty citrus, black pepper, and clover honey. In fact, try drizzling some honey over the cheese and eating the sticky mess with crunchy crackers and a glass of some French bubbles. Even Napoleon couldn’t be mad about that!