Which sheep's milk cheese shop should I visit in Centre-du-Québec?

Fromagerie La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, has been transforming sheep's milk since 1992 and offers about a dozen cheeses along with a sheep's milk yogourt. It's accessible to visitors from the region and also has an online shop for those who can't make the trip. La Moutonnière also offers a sheep's milk cheese platter.

Is sheep's milk cheese suitable for people with a lactose intolerance?

No, sheep's milk cheese contains lactose like any dairy product, so it shouldn't be considered safe for a diagnosed intolerance. Some people tolerate it better than cow's milk based on their own experience, which makes it worth trying cautiously as a possible alternative.

What's the difference between the Sein d'Hélène and a pure sheep's milk cheese?

The Sein d'Hélène is made from a blend of sheep's milk and cow's milk, unlike the rest of the catalogue, which is made entirely from sheep's milk. This is worth checking if you're specifically looking for a product made only with sheep's milk. La Moutonnière also offers hard sheep's milk cheese.

How can I order La Moutonnière's cheeses online?

The cheeses, ricotta, Royogourt, and farm products are all available through La Moutonnière's online shop, with delivery available across Quebec. Simply choose the products you want and select delivery or pickup when placing your order.

Where can I pick up my order instead of having it delivered?

The cheese shop offers pickup at two different locations for customers who'd rather collect their order themselves. The pickup addresses are listed directly in the online shop when you finalize your order. La Moutonnière also offers sheep's wool socks.

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Cheese Shop Near Me: La Moutonnière in Centre-du-Québec

Published September 16, 2026

Lambs in their pen at the sheepfold — Photo provided by Fromagerie La Moutonnière.

If you're looking for a cheese shop near me that offers something beyond the usual cow's milk cheese, Fromagerie La Moutonnière has been transforming sheep's milk in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in Centre-du-Québec, since 1992. It produces about a dozen cheeses, a sheep's milk yogourt, and farm products, all available through an online shop with delivery across Quebec or in-store pickup.

A sheep's milk cheese shop rooted in Centre-du-Québec

La Moutonnière has been based in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester since 1992. It's among the first cheese shops in Quebec to have worked with sheep's milk, back when this type of production was still uncommon in the province. Since then, the company has built its expertise around a varied catalogue of farmhouse cheeses, while keeping things on an artisan scale.

For anyone typing "cheese shop near me" while looking for something different, it's precisely this focus on sheep's milk that sets the place apart from the more common cow's milk cheese shops found across Quebec.

What's in the catalogue

The catalogue includes firm cheeses, soft cheeses, fetas, a ricotta, and Royogourt, a yogourt made from sheep's milk. Some products, like the Sein d'Hélène, combine sheep's milk and cow's milk, so it's not a pure sheep's milk cheese, which is worth knowing if you're specifically after a product made entirely from sheep's milk.

Beyond cheese, the shop also sells products straight from the farm, such as wool socks and sheepskins. These items appeal to customers interested in the full scope of sheep farming, not just the cheese side of things.

To browse the full selection and put together your order, you can visit the online shop.

What to expect from sheep's milk

Sheep's milk has a taste and texture that differ from cow's milk, often described as rounder or richer depending on the palate. It's a good way to try something new if you're already familiar with Quebec's classic cheeses.

That said, one thing needs to be clear: sheep's milk cheese contains lactose, like any dairy product. It can't be considered "safe" or suitable for someone with lactose intolerance. Some people tolerate it better than cow's milk based on their own experience, which makes it worth trying as a possible alternative, but this remains an individual matter to check with a health professional if you have a diagnosed intolerance.

Finding the cheese shop and placing your order

The cheese shop is located in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in Centre-du-Québec, making it an accessible destination for visitors from the region who want to see where the cheese is made. For those farther away, ordering online remains the simplest way to get the products.

The online shop offers delivery across Quebec, as well as pickup at two different locations for those who'd rather avoid shipping costs. This is a handy option if you're planning a cheese board for an event or if you just want to try several cheeses without waiting for delivery.

Building a cheese board with sheep's milk cheeses

For hosts putting together a cheese board, mixing a firm cheese, a soft cheese, and a sheep feta gives a good sense of the range of textures this type of milk can offer. The ricotta and Royogourt are better suited to recipes or breakfast than to a classic cheese board.

If you're hosting guests who've never tried sheep's milk cheese before, it can help to start with a milder soft cheese before moving on to a stronger firm one. This lets people discover sheep's milk gradually rather than starting with the most pronounced flavour.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which sheep's milk cheese shop should I visit in Centre-du-Québec?: Fromagerie La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, has been transforming sheep's milk since 1992 and offers about a dozen cheeses along with a sheep's milk yogourt. It's accessible to visitors from the region and also has an online shop for those who can't make the trip. La Moutonnière also offers a sheep's milk cheese platter.
Is sheep's milk cheese suitable for people with a lactose intolerance?: No, sheep's milk cheese contains lactose like any dairy product, so it shouldn't be considered safe for a diagnosed intolerance. Some people tolerate it better than cow's milk based on their own experience, which makes it worth trying cautiously as a possible alternative.
What's the difference between the Sein d'Hélène and a pure sheep's milk cheese?: The Sein d'Hélène is made from a blend of sheep's milk and cow's milk, unlike the rest of the catalogue, which is made entirely from sheep's milk. This is worth checking if you're specifically looking for a product made only with sheep's milk. La Moutonnière also offers hard sheep's milk cheese.
How can I order La Moutonnière's cheeses online?: The cheeses, ricotta, Royogourt, and farm products are all available through La Moutonnière's online shop, with delivery available across Quebec. Simply choose the products you want and select delivery or pickup when placing your order.
Where can I pick up my order instead of having it delivered?: The cheese shop offers pickup at two different locations for customers who'd rather collect their order themselves. The pickup addresses are listed directly in the online shop when you finalize your order. La Moutonnière also offers sheep's wool socks.