Visit of a munster cheese factory in Hohrod – Ferme du Versant du Soleil
There are many farms in Alsace that produce munster. But which ones actually offer tours? If the making of this cheese intrigues you, let me take you to Hohrod, in the Vallée de Munster, to visit a munster cheese dairy: the Ferme du Versant du Soleil. Cheese-making demonstration, tasting, cows and shop - here's what I experienced, my honest opinion and the practical info to help you plan your visit.
Summary
- My opinion on the visit to Ferme du Versant du Soleil
- Munster, an AOP cheese born in the Vallée de Munster
- Ferme du Versant du Soleil in Hohrod, near Munster
- Guided tour of the Hohrod cheese dairy
- Visiting the farm as a family: cows, transhumance and the seasons
- What to remember about the visit to Ferme du Versant du Soleil
- Frequently asked questions about visiting the Hohrod cheese dairy
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: Ferme du Versant du Soleil, 21 A route de Weier, Hohrod (Vallée de Munster).
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: around 1 hour for the guided tour.
- 👨👩👧 Who it’s for: families, couples, foodies curious about local gastronomy.
- 💶 Budget: free for the tour and tasting (shop purchases extra).
- 📅 Guided tours: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am all year round, Fridays at 10am in July and August.
My opinion on the visit to Ferme du Versant du Soleil
I liked
- A very interesting tour, led by the farmer himself
- Artisanal cheese-making, with a tasting of munster, barikass and tomette
- The chance to see several farm animals
- A free tour and tasting!
I liked less
- The guided tour only takes place on weekdays (but it’s only fair that farmers get a weekend too!). A self-guided visit remains possible during the shop’s opening hours
Munster, an AOP cheese born in the Vallée de Munster
Do you know munster cheese? It’s an Alsatian AOP cheese with a fairly strong taste. As its name suggests, it originates from the Vallée de Munster. Even today, it can only be produced in certain parts of eastern France (mainly in the Vosges mountains) and is one of Alsace’s unmissable specialities!
Another specialty not to be missed in the valley: the tourte de la Vallée de Munster.
Ferme du Versant du Soleil in Hohrod, near Munster
After a disappointing visit to the Maison du Fromage de Munster a few years ago, I decided to try out the tour offered by the Ferme du Versant du Soleil, which had been recommended to me by friends from the Vallée de Munster. And this time, I came out happy!
The Versant du Soleil farm is located in Hohrod, just outside the town of Munster. It is therefore easy to access.
Guided tour of the Hohrod cheese dairy
Munster cheese-making demonstration
The guided tours of the cheese factory are conducted by the farmer himself, who has a great sense of humor and makes the visit as funny as it is interesting. He explains the different stages of the making of Munster cheese while giving a demonstration. It is clear and interesting!
The cheese is made daily by the Lau family, who own the farm. A true example of artisanal cheese-making and family know-how!
Tasting of munster, barikass and tomette
Then comes the tasting. The farmer hands me a piece of:
- 🧀 munster
- 🧀 barikass (an Alsatian cheese with a long aging process, milder than munster: a sort of local gruyère, in a way)
- 🧀 tomette
Also on the blog
Visiting the farm as a family: cows, transhumance and the seasons
The tour is also a chance to see the cows, whose surroundings change throughout the year:
- ❄️ Winter: in the large cowshed that serves as their home (this is what I saw during my visit)
- 🌿 Spring and autumn: in the meadows
- ⛰️ Summer: in the pastures of the Vosges
- 🎉 Late September: downward transhumance, done on foot, which gives rise to a big celebration at the farm that everyone can take part in
The farm also has goats (just for fun, since the dairy only produces cow’s cheese), chickens and rabbits. It’s always a nice family farm outing!
Want to extend the outing with lunch? Several addresses in the Vallée de Munster are featured in my selection of the best farm inns in the Vosges.
What to remember about the visit to Ferme du Versant du Soleil
- 🧀 A guided tour led by the farmer, with a munster cheese-making demonstration and a tasting of munster, barikass and tomette
- 📅 Guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am all year round, and on Fridays at 10am in July and August
- 💶 A free tour and tasting, plus your purchases at the shop
- 🐄 An easy family outing, with cows, goats, chickens and rabbits
- ⚠️ The downside: no guided tour on weekends, but the shop and self-guided visit remain possible
Want to extend your day in the Vallée de Munster? Find all my ideas in my article on 12 things to do in the Vallée de Munster.
Practical information
Price and shop
The guided tour and tasting are free.
You can then buy munster, barikass, tomette, and siaskass (a fresh cheese to be enjoyed with sugar and a little kirsch!) at the shop, along with butter, eggs and apple juice. Prices are very reasonable.
Tour and shop opening hours
Guided tours last around 1 hour and take place all year round on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am. In July and August, an additional tour takes place at 10am on Fridays. Individuals don’t need to make a reservation, just turn up at the appointed time. For groups of more than 25 people, please contact Ferme du Versant du Soleil in advance.
It’s also possible to take a self-guided visit (with information panels and a short video) during the shop’s opening hours, which are as follows:
- January: Monday to Saturday 9am-12pm, Sunday 10am-12pm
- February to December: Monday to Saturday 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm, Sunday 10am-12pm and 2pm-6pm
- Easter: 9am-12pm
- Closed on December 25 (Christmas) and January 1 (New Year’s Day)
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Hohrod cheese dairy
What are the visiting hours at Ferme du Versant du Soleil?
Guided tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am all year round, and also on Fridays at 10am in July and August. They last around 1 hour. Outside these times, a self-guided visit is possible during the shop’s opening hours.
Do I need to book to visit the cheese dairy?
No, individuals don’t need to book: just turn up at the appointed time. For groups of more than 25 people, please contact the farm in advance.
How much does the visit to the munster cheese dairy cost?
The guided tour and tasting are free. Only your purchases at the shop are at your own expense.
Can you visit the cheese dairy on weekends?
The guided tour doesn’t take place on weekends, but a self-guided visit is possible during the shop’s opening hours. Outside January, the shop is open Saturdays from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm, and Sundays from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. In January, it’s only open in the morning, and at Easter from 9am to 12pm.
Is the cheese dairy visit suitable for children?
Yes, it’s an easy family outing. Children can see the cows (in the cowshed in winter, in the meadows in spring and autumn, and in the pastures in summer), as well as goats, chickens and rabbits.