Banon

Banon is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, within the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The village lies in a rural, upland area and features a historic center with traditional Provençal architecture. It has a small population and a local economy based on agriculture, forestry, and small-scale tourism. The surrounding countryside is known for lavender, orchards, and pasture land that support livestock farming.

Banon is also the name of a well-known soft cheese produced in and around the village. It is typically made from goat’s milk, and sometimes includes a portion of sheep’s milk. The cheese is soft and pale with a creamy interior and a gentle, slightly tangy flavor that becomes more pronounced with age. A hallmark of Banon cheese is its presentation: each wheel is wrapped in dried leaves, most commonly chestnut leaves, or sometimes fig leaves, and tied with string. The leaves are not eaten, but they impart aroma and help protect the rind during a short aging period that lasts several weeks in cool, humid cellars. The result is a fragrant, approachable cheese that is commonly paired with rustic bread and Provençal wines. Production is concentrated in Banon and the surrounding countryside, and the cheese is closely associated with Provençal culinary traditions.