Marie Harel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie Harel
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Replacement statue
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| Born | April 28, 1761 Crouttes (Orne)
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| Died | November 9, 1844 (aged 83) Vimoutiers (Orne)
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| Nationality |  France |
| Known for | Invention of Camembert Cheese |
Marie Harel (born Marie Catherine Fontaine; April 28, 1761 – November 9, 1844) was a French cheesemaker. Many people believe she invented Camembert cheese, along with a priest named Charles-Jean Bonvoust. Marie worked at a place called the Manor of Beaumoncel, where she made Camembert cheese using local methods. Her biggest impact was starting a family of cheesemakers. They helped make Camembert cheese very popular and produced it on a large scale. Her grandson, Cyrille Paynel, born in 1817, even opened a cheese factory in France.
Marie Harel's Life Story
Marie Catherine Fontaine was born on April 28, 1761. Her hometown was Crouttes, near Vimoutiers in Normandy, France. On May 10, 1785, she married Jacques Harel in Camembert, Orne. Jacques was a worker in a nearby village. Marie Harel passed away on November 9, 1844, in Vimoutiers, Orne.
The Story of Camembert Cheese
For a long time, a special cheese was made in the Camembert area of Normandy. As early as 1708, a writer named Thomas Corneille mentioned "excellent cheeses from Livarot and Camembert" being sold at markets.
However, a popular story about Camembert cheese appeared in the early 1900s. This story says that Marie Harel invented the cheese. It claims she got help from a priest, Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust. He was hiding at the Manor of Beaumoncel, where Marie worked, around 1796–97. The story says he was from a region called Brie and shared a recipe for a cheese with a soft, edible rind, like the cheeses made there. But in truth, Bonvoust was from a different area called Pays de Caux. This story is not proven by facts, but many people still believe it.
Marie Harel did make Camembert cheese using the traditional ways of her area. Her most important contribution was starting a family of cheesemakers. They were very good at business and helped make Camembert cheese on a much larger scale. Her grandson, Cyrille Paynel, born in 1817, even started a cheese factory in Le Mesnil-Mauger.
The family of Marie Harel played a big part in making Camembert popular in the early 1800s. They believed they were the only ones who should be allowed to use the name "Camembert." But after 1870, other cheesemakers in Normandy began to challenge this family's special right.
The town of Vimoutiers had a statue honoring Marie Harel. On June 14, 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Vimoutiers was bombed by Allied forces. The town was badly damaged, and many people died. Later, 400 people from Van Wert, Ohio in the United States helped pay to rebuild the town. They also helped replace Marie Harel's statue in 1953. A plaque in Vimoutiers' market square tells this story.
There is another story that says Marie Harel died in Champosoult. But this is not true; it was her daughter, who was also named Marie (1781–1855), who died there. Marie Harel was also honored by Google Doodle on her 256th birthday in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Marie Harel para niños
