Poligny, Cheese production commune in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France.
Poligny is a town in the Jura region nestled near limestone cliffs, with a compact layout that feels walkable and human-scaled. The buildings and layout reflect its connection to countryside and local food production traditions.
Fossil discoveries in the 1860s put the area on the map for paleontology, marking an important moment in French scientific history. Over time, cheese making became the defining activity, transforming this into one of Europe's key production centers.
Cheese making stands at the heart of daily life here, shaping how locals work and what the community values. Visitors can see this tradition reflected in the shops, markets, and conversations throughout the town.
The town is reachable by train from nearby cities, making day trips convenient for most travelers. Walking through the center gives access to local shops and cheese facilities where you can observe the craft firsthand.
Hundreds of thousands of cheese wheels mature in underground caves beneath the town, making it one of Europe's largest storage centers for this variety. These cellars maintain stable temperature and humidity that naturally suit the aging process.
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