Where to buy sheep cheese in Québec

Sheep cheese remains rare in Québec. Fromagerie La Moutonnière was the first creamery in the province to transform it, back in 1992, and it still does so in the same place.

The creamery, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester

Everything is made there: at 3456, rue Principale, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in the Centre-du-Québec region. The creamery welcomes the public Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The shop, in Saint-Ferdinand

The second Fromagerie La Moutonnière address is at 1134, rue Principale, in Saint-Ferdinand. It opens Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One detail saves a wasted trip: the two addresses are never open on the same days, except Thursday. The creamery holds the start of the week, the shop holds the weekend. Anyone showing up in Saint-Ferdinand on a Monday finds the door closed.

Without the trip: the online shop

The Fromagerie La Moutonnière online shop takes cheeses, boards and wool products. Two ways to receive an order, whichever suits.

• Pickup, free and with no minimum, at either of the two addresses.
• Home delivery, within two business days, cheeses packed vacuum-sealed.

One exception to remember: cheese boards are ordered 48 hours ahead and picked up only at the Saint-Ferdinand shop. Home delivery does not cover them.

If a question is all that is needed

The same number serves both Fromagerie La Moutonnière addresses: (819) 382-2300. In writing, the address is info@fromagerielamoutonniere.com. For an ageing time or a storage question not yet published on the site, a call remains the shortest path.

A note for the curious who would like to see the cellars: tours of the creamery are not offered at the moment. Both addresses do welcome the public during opening hours, and the counter answers questions gladly.