There seems to be a heatwave everywhere you look these days, but dining al fresco can still be an appealing option, especially if you pack a French picnic!

Luscious French cheese can stand up to the heat when paired cold, tart fruit like summer cherries or strawberries and crispy rustic crackers or bread (and a cool beverage, bien sûr.

As always when you want to make a complete cheese plate, it’s best to offer some variety.

• For the blue cheese: the Fourme D’Ambert PDO is one of the oldest cheeses in France and has been made in the volcanic Auvergne region for more than 1,000 years. It is one of the mildest and most versatile of the blue family.
• For a hard cheese (and so great paired with honey or honeycomb!): a classic favorite, Comté PDO. Comté is such a crowd pleaser because it is creamy, sweet, and salty all at once.
• For a mild, soft cheese: try an aged goat cheese log (this one was a Buche de Vivarois Chevre) with an enticing dual texture. It brings together a rich, luscious cream line with a fresh, zesty center – the best of both worlds.

Products were provided for editorial consideration by Fromage From Europe. The Fromage from Europe Marketing Council is composed of French dairy farmers and cheese firms. It is led by The French Dairy Inter-Branch Organization (CNIEL) and by The French Goat Milk Producers and Processors Association (ANICAP).